Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

I want to celebrate!!! I am not sure whether to say I want to celebrate to an old me or to a NEW me. I have not been fully myself in years as I have let depression get to me and with that, apathy, weight gain, fatigue, self-concept issues, & more. I made a decision back in March of 2007 that I was going to make a change, a permanent change to a healthier, happier lifestyle once again. From March 2007 to March 2008, I was down 50 lbs, 29.75 inches, and 7-8% body fat. I am pleased to say I went from an extremely tight size 18 to a comfortably fitting size 12. I've slowly put back on some of that weight with major stressors in my personal life with family, returning to grad school for my PhD, and life in general. I am very happy to be saying “No More!” I'm getting back on track for 2012. The target remains the same to get to between 150-160 lbs to be in my “happy weight” range and a size 10 again.

Years ago I was an athlete, full of energy and passion for life. Towards the end of my undergraduate years I began battling depression and let my health deteriorate. Sure I have pressed on and pressed through these past 14 years, but I really let other things slide along the way. The top three things affected were my health, fitness, & well-being. With a family history of heart disease and my own father having is first heart attack at the young age of 40; this was not putting the odds in my favor. I was headed down that path as well with being ‘obese’ & already having high cholesterol by age 29. Now steadily moving forward with the help of Team Beachbody, I am so excited to say I am on-track to the ‘old me’ again! A healthier, fit, and passion-for-life Julie!

So how do I do it? It really is that complicated or as hard as I guess I might have felt it would be. My biggest challenge is remembering to make myself a priority. It originally took me some time for me to relearn about my body and my needs now that I am not a college athlete and a 30-something professional. I relied on the the Team Beachbody message boards and my WOWY success buddies for support. I have used the BB Club tool to learn more about my fitness and nutritional needs. I also will continue to use Supplements, Shakeology, and Beachbody Programs on a regular basis. I am happy to say I have completed Slim in 6, Slim Series Express, & Power 90 in the past. I've tried a few of the other programs such as HHA & YBB as well. I've even tried P90X and Insanity, but it wasn't quite right for me just yet. I'll start 2012 back on my tried and true Slim in 6 first. I’m excited to be returning my focus to my fitness goals and model good health for those around me.

So, 2012 here I come. I have DECIDED to make more progress. I am COMMITTING to making a positive change. I AM WORTH IT (and so are you!) I have always been a go-getter, but not for “me” per se. I am usually out to please others whatever the cost. In 2012 I will make time for ME.

You might say how did you make all that progress the first time? Well I ordered Slim in 6 (among other Beachbody DVDs)and that program was really got me started and what I contribute to a lot of my success. It was the perfect program at my point in life, at my current fitness level, and for my mind set. I need something challenging, but do-able. I needed something that would allow me to focus for a short amount of time (6 weeks) and experience SUCCESS. Slim in 6 did that for me!!! THANKS DEBBIE!!!

I have been using the Beachbody programs on and off for almost four years now and even became a Team Beachbody Coach back in 2007. I am truly loving the experience, the community, and what I have done for myself. I am so pleased that I can surround myself with others on their own fitness journeys, supporting one another along the way. I want to celebrate with anyone and everyone willing to recognize that we are all worth it and that we deserve it. Taking care of ourselves and loving ourselves enables us to love others that much more and get so much more out of life.

I also want to say, no matter what life throws your way, you can still be successful. Over the last four years I have moved states, changed jobs, worked multiple jobs at once, had a serious long-term relationship end, gone back to grad school myself, watched my mother fight cancer, yet I have still pushed forward. Consistency is the key, not perfection. Be true to yourself and the rewards will come.

The entire Beachbody experience has really given me the opportunity to make changes in my health & fitness which I desired so much. I feel like it was made for me! I am very happy with the progress I had made and I am looking forward to continued successes. I have more progress to make to reach my ultimate goals and then it will be on to the maintenance phase and staying on track for life.

The athlete that was always happy, social, & energized will be back! I am finally making that change in my health, fitness, & personal wellness – a permanent change! I am regaining control, treating my depression, pushing play daily, taking my supplements, networking with others on the boards, WOWY, & other fitness forums, & eating clean!!!

BIG THANK YOUs to Beachbody, my Coach Wendy, my accountability partner Tricia, Tina and Anna two of my many inspirations, & so many others who I met so far on this journey! I look forward to what the future holds!