April 2006
- Before
- After
The hardest part about writing a success story is the fact that you have to be completely truthful about who and what you were before your success. However, that is where I truly found my success, when I got honest about my lifestyle, my eating habits, my self-esteem, my life.
Before I stumbled onto Beachbody, I was at a low place in my life. I had allowed the stress of being a wife, mother, business owner, and friend to take the best of me. I found myself in a position where I was everything to everybody and I was nothing to myself. And eventually the well ran dry, so to speak. So I ate comfort foods and sat around feeling sorry for myself. Ice cream was my food of choice, although anything with sugar in it, you could bet I'd eat it.
I couldn't understand why life was so hard for me, why good stuff always happened to other people, and the bad things multiplied in my world.
I just kept adding on the pounds, one by one, until I reached my heaviest weight ever. I had no self-esteem. I saw no beauty in myself. I was 29, quickly rounding the corner to 30, and I could barely remember the vivacious, energetic person I used to be. I would spend lengths of time looking at myself in the mirror and literally asking the question, "Who are you?" Now mind you, this all may sound a bit dramatic, but I know many women who can relate—we just don't like to talk about it.
I knew something had to change. I was losing sight of the wonderfulness of the journey and I wanted joy back in my life again. I wanted to take the control back and I wanted to feel good about myself. I began reading book after book about weight loss—nothing was clicking with me. I couldn't relate and connect with the authors. Then I started making my way through various workout videos. Trust me, you name it, I tried it! It got me nowhere; nothing was working. I wanted a product, book, or a video to be that something special that could make me change. I wanted the "quick fix."
Then one night I was watching a talk show and the host asked a guest how she lost all of her weight, and she replied, with conviction, "Quite simply I worked my butt off." That clicked. I finally got it. I just needed to make it happen, keep it real. I needed to stop making excuses and stop lying to myself. At about this time (isn't life great with its timing?), a Beachbody infomercial aired. I was skeptical. After all, I had already tried everything else, but there was something truthful about the people I saw on the TV in front of me. I logged on to Beachbody.com and I found that connection I had been seeking. Real people, just like me, wanting a healthier life and fit bodies.
So I began my journey with Beachbody. I committed myself like I never have before. I dug deep down and I found my determination, my will. Beachbody made it easy; every tool you could possibly need was right there. Michi's Ladder is an excellent guide for a food plan; the workouts are easy to follow, yet challenging; and the Message Boards have tons of good advice. I looked forward to every time I exercised. I not only saw results, but I felt them almost immediately. I considered each workout to be one step closer to a better me. I became accountable to people; sharing my journey with others was half the battle. I had a WOWY partner. Without fail we pushed each other to be there, to work harder, and to sweat more. And as time went on, a group of us each night chatted in the chatroom and then logged in to WOWY together. It was awesome! I got involved in the Message Boards. I even started my own thread and I was blown away by how well I was received by the community. I was touched by the lives of people, by their success stories. I found inspiration in myself and those around me. There were times I felt the sadness in others and I understood, because I too had been there. But more than that, I found a place to be supported, to be encouraged, to laugh, and to hopefully give that same support for others.
I am submitting my "before" and "after" photos, because to have a true Success Story they are necessary, though it's extremely hard for me to look at my "before" photos. I am no longer embarrassed because I am not that person anymore. I can be proud of the transformation in my mind and my body. I'm the real Kim now, the one who was always inside trying to find a way out.
I am a 5' 10" female, and when I started, I weighed 173 pounds, wore a size 12, sometimes a size 14, and had 34% body fat. By the time I finished Power 90, I weighed 153 pounds, wore a size 6, and my body fat was down to 18%. I lost a total of 13 inches off my hips and waist alone.
I shed the weight and in the process found me again. My personality has come alive. I am no longer hiding from the world. Beachbody.com created an environment in which I could change my life. The people behind Beachbody have a sincere belief in the products they create and that's why you see success after success. I will forever be grateful to Beachbody and the people I have met through them. It's what gave me the hope and faith that I could do what I had to do. I am a life that is new again, all because you gave me the foundation to stand on.
Each day I wake up excited to see what life has in store for me, my children, and the man I love. I've celebrated my 30th birthday. I had the time of my life! A new body, a new spirit, a new outlook—it was fabulous! I couldn't be happier!
Thank you, Beachbody.
Sincerely,
Kim P.
