Meet Kristine D.! She participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for November 25th!
Here is her story, compliments of Team Beachbody.
When I became pregnant I took the phrase “eating for 2” literally. I used my pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted and ballooned up to 242 pounds. The excess weight I was carting around caused me to re-herniate a disc in my lower back, which resulted in 2 surgeries in 2 years.
I was tired, overweight, depressed, and in pain all the time. I was miserable inside and out, and was embarrassed for my husband because I was not the woman he had married. Nor was I the mother I wanted to be for my young daughter. She deserved a mom that was happy and healthy, not a mom who was too tired to get off the couch. Plus, I wanted my daughter to learn healthy food choices and live an active lifestyle. I never want her to feel the shame of being overweight that I so often felt. And most importantly, I want my daughter to be proud of me! I don’t want her to get teased for having a fat mom. I knew I had to change. But how?
After watching a ton of Beachbody infomercials and reading success stories I thought…why them, and not me? So I bought INSANITY and got great results. Then I moved on to P90X, followed that with a hybrid of the 2, then completed LES MILLS PUMP. It was during PUMP that I fell in love with weight lifting and ordered Body Beast. Beast was amazing and made me feels so empowered as a woman. I didn’t bulk up; instead I developed long, lean muscles. And even though I gained 5 lbs., I had to buy smaller pants. Sagi, the trainer, is so funny and his humor really kept me going. Plus, the workout strengthened my back and core, and my spine has never been so stable!
I also participated in a Challenge Group, had a wonderful Coach who did everything a good coach should do, and drank Shakeology daily. The Group supported me and held me accountable for my actions. Sally, my Coach, gave me samples and encouragement. And Shakeology gave me more energy and stamina, reduced my cravings, and helped with digestion. My only regret is that I waited so long to start using it. I used money as an excuse not to try it—what a mistake that was. I’ve also noticed that my energy and mood improves when I stick to Michi’s ladder.
It took me a little over 3 years to go from 225 lbs. to 143 (a size 20 to a 4), but my results are worth it! I feel so energetic and have gained a ton of confidence. Thanks to the tools and support that Beachbody provided, I found the desire within myself to achieve success. I now hold my head high when I walk and I can finally play with my daughter without being exhausted. I used to think that I was taking time away from my family by exercising; now I know that the opposite is true. I have finally managed to be the good example and role model for my daughter that I set out to be, teaching her healthy eating habits and physical fitness.
One of the biggest surprises after losing so much weight is that a ton of job opportunities have opened up for me. I work as a respiratory therapist at a Children’s Hospital and I need to be healthy in order to take care of the sickest of children. One thing this job has taught me is how fragile life truly is. Now I no longer taking my life for granted by making poor choices when many of my patients are fighting just to survive. Plus, because I’ve lost weight, I now make the weight requirement to be able to fly in a helicopter when transporting sick kids.
I’m a very busy 37-year-old mom who did this while working fulltime, 12-hour night shifts. I have a pin in my knee and 2 rods and 4 screws holding my lower spine together. So if I can do it—ANYONE can! So to “pay it forward” I’ve become a Beachbody Coach and have encouraged many of my colleagues to take the challenge and take control of their lives as well! Thanks Beachbody—you truly saved me.
You can change your life, too. Take The Beachbody Challenge™, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody® program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash and prizes.
