Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

In 2006, I took my kids to the playground and watched them play. At that moment, I realized that I was an observer of other people living their lives. I had checked out of life at the age of 31 years old! My kids deserved to have a positive role model and I needed to treat myself with the same dignity & respect I expect to be treated by others! I looked at my current health and fitness level which was the residual outcome of my past choices. I asked myself, "Is this the best choice for me?" I decided to challenge my excuses and embrace the responsibility I have to myself to do something for the sake of growing!


In the past, a normal diet for me was anything fast - fast food at least 3 times a week, processed & pre-packaged foods, and let's not forget the diet cokes to help me with my lack of energy! Water was to wash in NOT drink. I didn't believe in taking multi-vitamins because they made me gag but you better believe I was popping those diet pills like you know what! Just the thought of exercising wore me out! At the end of every day, I had given all I had to my kids, my work and all the other day-to-day ToDos that I felt drained and running on empty!


First, I opted to schedule a meeting with a nutritionist and changed my eating habbits to include fresh fruits, veggies and whole grains. I stopped drinking Diet Coke because the color addiitives prevent weight loss. I started hydrating my body with 80 ounces of water a day! I started taking a multivitamin and Fish Oil. I stopped eating out and opted for salads when I did.


Then, came the hard part - I took a hard look in the mirror and learned to love what physically looked back at me. I filled my heart with the love and compassion for my own body which is a testiment of my resiliance & perseverance. I transformed my way of thinking - I needed some ME time where I could re-group and center my thoughts. So, I started scheduling time in my day for ME. At first, I felt selfish. What I realize now is that I need to give to myself first to have enough to give to my kids, my family & friends and my work. I joined a gym and took a Turbo Kick Boxing class! The class had an amazing energy level that guides me when I am stressed and fuels my happiness, health and spirit!

I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and lost over 78 pounds in 6 months! In July of 2007, I was in better shape than when I was in High School, I was in the best shape of my life!


Unfortunately, I have had to learn some difficult lessons since then. In losing weight, I dealt with the symptom of what was going on with me. However, I wasn't ready to deal with the mental & emotional transformation - the reason why I ate bad food. This mistake caused me to revert back to my unhealthy coping skills when I was stressed & I yoyoed from one extreme to the other. I knew I could lose weight and I did, but I gained it back. I thought there was something wrong with me - I am an all or nothing kind of person, I am very goal oriented. Why then was I a yoyo?


We can be so patient & kind to our loved ones, but when it comes to ourselves, negative self talk can be very powerful. I took a hard look at how I felt at pivital moments in my life to identify where the negative talk was rooted. I have been writing down every negative thing I say to myself and then crossing it out and re-wrting the positive thing that I would tell my loved one.


I realized that the extreme caloric restriction wasn't realistic for me and I needed to find a sustainable, healthy nutrition option. I had tried Shakeology in the past but thought it was too expensive. Expensive compared to my $6 Starbucks? Expensive compared to my High Fat Value Meal? What value does my health hold in comparison to these vices? Ultimately, when I was at my leanest, I was taking Shakeology religiously. I needed to re-invest in myself and am ordering Shakeology Home Direct this week.


Finally, I have realized that the secret to my success in the past something that I am making a way of life in 2012 ~ Fitness + Nutrition + Accountability = Success! All of those variables must be consistent, day in & day out, just like brushing your teeth, part of your daily routine! I am starting a fitness challenge and hope you will join me on my journey by joining the Beachbody Challenge!




Yours with health & happiness,

Coach TKBDal