Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

I won $50,000 for getting fit, healthy and living life to the fullest!!!!Wow! Where do I begin with this amazing transformation story? It started over 4 years ago. My story is a real transformation success because it is a permanent, lasting, life-long change! It wasn’t just for 90 days. It is 1651 days and counting! I’m not going back! To date, I have done countless rounds of P90, PHH , TJ and I just finished my 4th round of P90 X!! I was fortunate enough to represent the successes in the 2005 Hawaii success story contest. What an exhilarating 7 days but it didn’t end there. It wasn’t about the trip; it was about being healthy for the rest of my life!
BIO re-cap: I’m a 47-year-old mother of 3 biological daughters. (I’ve helped raise 8 though). I’ve just gone through a divorce. Actually, BB and my new lifestyle gave me the confidence to realize that I didn’t want to be married to an alcoholic who didn’t want to be healthy. It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made but I know it’s for the best! I am a science, Health /PE teacher to 165 students. I come from a very large, overweight family. During my college years of drinking beer, eating pizza, and motherhood years of eating junk food and driving through fast food restaurants with my kids, I continually yo’ yo’d from a size 16 to a 12. I kidded myself that a size 12 was the lowest I could ever be. My family thought I was anorexic at a size 12. I always had a smile on my face but on the inside I hated my body. I was an athlete in high school and I knew I had muscles under there screaming to be FLEXED. I had started and stopped countless exercise and diet plans in the last 25 years. I knew how to eat healthy but I didn’t make it a habit. Something had to change. It was time for ME!
I came across the P90 infomercial on a fluke, I never watch TV. I called the phone number and fate was set. I ordered P90. I lost 7 pounds before I even received my DVD because I joined a thread and got support and advice from wonderful people there. On May 15, 2004 I started pushing play day by day. I relied on the message boards and the phone support. My first 90 days were amazing!!!! I lost 16 pounds, 15.5 inches (4.5 inches off my waist alone) When I went back to school that fall, everyone flipped!!!
Somewhere in that first round, I realized that this is not just a fad for 90 days; it needed to be a lifestyle change.
Do you know I do walking commercials for you guys all the time?? People come up to me and ask, "How do I do it?" They are surprised that I don’t go to a gym or have a personal trainer. I tell them about Power 90, Beachbody and how I workout in my family room! No one can believe I’m 46. I see people that I haven’t seen in years and they literally don’t recognize me! I was just asked last weekend if I was a body builder! Who would have thought 4 years ago that I’m considering strutting on a stage in a bikini flexing my muscles?? I look in the mirror or look at my pictures and still can’t believe it’s me. I have my navel pierced and share clothes with my 16 and 18 year old! Holy smokes!
Some physical feats I have accomplished are: Went skydiving l (freefall by myself), trained and competed in 7 triathlons, took ski patrol classes, and roller bladed 20 miles, did a century ride on my bike (100 miles) certified personal trainer and turbo kick instructor! just to name a few. Future goals include; run a marathon, , and adventure racing. In other words, the sky is the limit. I’ll try anything!
My healthy quest has gone even to a higher level. It’s not about looking good; it’s about sharing my knowledge and joy of living healthy. I am an example to my daughters. They get angry when we run out of fruit and produce in the house! They drink protein shakes instead of ice cream and workout regularly. I have several students who have gone through fantastic transformations with my guidance and inspiration. I can’t tell you how that makes me feel when I see them and they thank me. I want to shout it from the rooftops! I want to share my knowledge and help people make healthy choices for life.

My stats to date are:
Lost:

Pounds: 35
Inches: 22 overall
Sizes: 16 to a 6!
Body fat: before: too much, Present: low and lean!

Gained:
Confidence, Energy, Youthfulness, Health, Happiness, Strength, Flexibility

“Decide, Commit, Succeed” I’m living proof that P90 and P90X works.
Thank you Thank you Thank you. Those words aren’t near enough to express my feelings.
I am a Beachbody Girl for life!!

Melanie Ristau
Aka: Beach_gurl