Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

First of all much like many other stories, I've struggle with my weight all of my life. By 2009, I had grown to 242lbs, and 44" waist. I ate fast food absolutely every day for lunch. My favorite past time had become sitting on the couch eating, watching TV and well, doing nothing but sitting on the couch watching TV and eating junk – chips, popcorn, soda, candy, chocolate – YUM – chocolate. I could eat an entire gigantic bag of M & M’s in almost 1 sitting! I had a cholesterol level that was off of the charts and my doctor had just advised me that I was pre-diabetic and congratulated me on being a "36 year old walking heart attack". I was miserable. I didn't have anything nice to say, I hated work, I hated everything - including me. I couldn't find anything that fit me; I was wearing sweat pants and 2XL T-shirts, and couldn't even climb a set of 10 steps without sweating profusely and being out of breath. The only success I'd had was that I was successful at quitting a 2 pack a day smoking habit in April 2008.

I woke up on May 18, 2009, ironically the day after my 16 wedding anniversary and couldn't even look at myself in the mirror. I was disgusted by what I saw looking back. I had been having suicidal thoughts for some time and this was the day that I had planned to carry it out. The only thing that I could think of was that I wasn't a coward, so it was then I decided I had to do something. I began my journey by following a 1500 calorie a day diet, walking 1-2 miles everyday and a 20 minute, 3 time per week fitness program on a popular commercial work out machine. My pre-life style change nutrition revolved around meat, potatoes, corn and fast food. I didn't eat vegetables or fruit because "I didn't like them". My wonderful wife talked me into having an open mind and just trying everything. Well, I did and guess what - I LOVE veggies and fruit! I can't go a day without them now!

By December 2009 I had shed 35-40lbs and was down to a 36-38" waist. I was getting bored with walking and the other workout. I had seen commercials for P90X many times, while I sat on the couch and ate chips and drank soda. I always commented about how I wish I could do that, then would eat some more junk. My Christmas gift to myself was P90X. I started Round 1, January 28, 2010. WOW! It kicked my butt - but I LOVED it. I LOVED the way it made me feel afterward. It has made me cry, it has made me cuss, it's made me beg for more! It has made a difference! Oh boy has it ever! I still can't do everything that Tony and his workout buddies can, but I can do way more than what I ever could before. I'm still working, I'm still transforming, I continue to re-create a new me! I have now finished Insanity and Insanity: The Asylum and have started the Asylum/P90X Hybrid on July 13.

Running - I ran my 1st ever 5k on Memorial Day weekend, 2010 and finished in 34 minutes and 33 seconds. I ran my 2nd one on September 4th, 2010 and improved my time by over 6 mins! Why is that significant you ask? I had never, ever run more than a mile in my life. Prior to starting to run the last time I ran anything close to a mile was when I was in gym class in high school! I “couldn’t” run, I just couldn’t. It hurt, I couldn’t breathe, blah, blah, blah. I played baseball in school, but was a catcher - anyone that knows anything about baseball knows that catchers DON'T run!
I can remember getting home after a bad day at work this past spring. I was mad and stressed, so I decided to go for my walk. I was so mad that I started running. I jogged over 1 mile that day. WOW! I could run! I could do this! Well how about that. Now I enjoy it. The most I’ve run is 5.5 miles, but I’m working on it. We’ll see where I get.

To update everyone as I approach the 2 year anniversary of this journey. I have now completed 4 rounds of P90X and 1 1/2 rounds of Insanity (the 1/2 is from a P90X/Insanity hybrid). I am currently doing a 2nd round of the brand new Insanity: The Asylum and loving every minute of it. I anxiously await the release of P90X2 and look forward to the challenge associated with that!
My weight is right at 154lbs, a total loss of 88lbs! I am also at 6.5% body fat!! I cannot believe that myself!

On June 18, 2011 I was selected as the 2011 Million Dollar Body Contest Winner!! Words cannot describe the feeling of being selected the winner from so many other deserving men! I also cannot explain how blessed I feel at having this opportunity to share my journey with so many people and touch their lives.

I have also really enjoyed being a part of my Beachbody Network Team Swarm and truly have become passionate about Ending the Trend of Obesity by People Helping People! My coach Tommy Mygrant has made such a positive impact in my life and I am truly a better person for knowing him!

For the 1st time in my life I am really happy and feel so ALIVE!

I had thought that my journey was over, but I realize that it's really just beginning!!