What I am doing now?

So I mentioned on Facebook (y'all have me on Facebook, right?) that I had been making some changes and that I would share my news today. Well for years I have used Beachbody products. Now before you go on saying how it is an MLM scheme and how it doesn't work hear me out. 16 years ago I was watching an infomercial and it was talking about a low impact workout that could be done at home. Being a person who can never commit to driving to the gym and spent more time hurt than what I made in a year I decided to give this home workout a try.

I ordered the program and it came to my house in a plain brown box. So I unboxed the program and gave it a try. I completed it and was able to move with less pain. Now back in those days you didn't take before and after pictures to send in. There were no coaches to help you keep on track. There was no support system online to cheer you on. I mean there wasn't even DSL yet, was there?! I know there was no social media. There was a time before Facebook and Instagram!!

So anyway, I completed this workout before I began having babies and then again after my first born. I was able to tone up and wear single digit pants!! Cue 2009 where I got ahold of P90X. I thought it would be like Slim in 6 but it was to much for my bad knee so it was never for me. I brought back out Slim in 6 because I needed to get control of my life and my weight. My knee being a lot worse made it harder and I did not see the results I had seen the first two times. In 2011 I hit my highest weight (at that time).

In 2012, my husband ordered Insanity. He completed the workouts with his son, nephew, and a close family friend. They had amazing results. From watching one workout I knew that I would never be able to complete that series due to having a reconstruction surgery on my ankle and a partial knee replacement the year before. In 2013, I was watching yet another infomercial (what can I say except that I don't sleep at night) for Hip Hop Abs. It was dancing which I sorely missed after moving so I set my phone up to order it. Little did I know that I pressed submit on my order until the pretty package showed up on my doorstep a few days later. At the time I didn't order shakeology because I was super skeptical about a shake that could give all these nutrients and help your body. Little did I know that when my husband had ordered his videos he ordered the shakes too but didn't like them because they were too chocolatey. He gave it to me to try before I committed to the shakes because I couldn't fathom spending that kind of money, even with the bottom of the bag guarantee. So I finished the bag and loved it. I signed up for it and signed up to be a coach because the discount was amazingly worth it!

I was working my program and drinking my shakes. My results were amazing. 50 pounds in four months. I was in heaven! Then the allergies started. I started breaking out in blisters all over my hands and sores in my mouth. I had to investigate the ingredients and found that there was an ingredient that I had a reaction to. One single ingredient derailed the progress that I had with my shakes because I had to stop them. After that I began struggling again because I was missing out on my dense nutrition. No matter how much I worked out or ate right the pounds and inches crept back on. Regular protein shakes didn't help and everything just kept going higher and higher. In 2014, I had a full knee replacement and began using Piyo along with my shakes again. Beachbody had come out with a vegan line so I was able to start drinking my shakes again. Once again the weight started coming off, even as I was rehabbing.

Tough times happen and I stopped coaching. My knee replacement failed and workouts stopped. I stopped working with my current coach. Again the pounds and inches came back. This time I hit a new high weight. I was prediabetic and on the verge of morbid obesity. I was in a dark place. My depression and anxiety were at all time highs. I couldn't find clothes that fit me. I had to have a mass off my liver that had attached to my stomach. I lost part of my stomach with the mass removal. After surgery I began seeing a nutrionist who started me on a strict meal plan (think a mix of Keto and mediterranean) and a new set of shakes (not shakeology). I also connected with a new coach who, despite miles, was someone who I could relate to. Who else could relate to the stresses of a teacher besides another teacher? I began in her free groups and even when I haven't drank shakeology I have followed the heart of all the groups. I completed the challenges, supported other members, and worked my tail off to make strides in a positive direction.

This past weekend I decided to make the jump back into coaching. Having had such a long history with Beachbody I have been confident that all the products are there to help and work when used properly. I do the work. I read my personal development. I eat according to my doctor while using my containers for measuring so that I am able to ensure that I am eating enough of the right foods. I stopped drinking pop (except for the rare migraine). Bread and pastas are gone since I am gluten sensitive. If I eat them I am sorely reminded why I am not supposed to eat them. I bought myself a smart water bottle because I have a habit of not drinking enough. Yes it flashes at me if I haven't drank in a certain amount of time. Before signing up to coach again I had already lost 50 pounds. 50 pounds just from the programs I had at home, eating right, and following my meal plan! If ever you think that it can't be done look deep inside yourself because it is there. The determination and the strength to succeed. If I can do it, so can you!!

#Health #MyStory #Lifestyle