Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

Ever since I was really little, I can remember always begging my mom or dad for this candy, or that package of little debbies. They would give in and allow me one, but I'd have to go back and sneak in one more. As I got older, I became friends with people who loved to eat just as much as I did, so whenever we had a sleepover or went out to eat, we probably ate a whole day's worth of calories in pizza and cookies alone. By the time I was 13, I was fitting into a women's size 14 and was 163 pounds. I have never forgotten that number. I was unhappy looking at all my peers who still fit into junior sizes and even shopped at abercrombie kids. More importantly, I was taunted for being the "fat kid." I struggled with several ups and downs until I hit college. By that time I had my body and eating a little more under control and was at about 132 pounds. I ate healthy in the cafeteria and was walking more around campus. While my peers were gaining the freshman 15, I lost the freshman 10! I maintained that weight with running and occasionally weight lifting, but at 5'3" I felt like a blob because I had no muscle tone, even if I was a size 4/6. I saw P90X on TV and decided to check it out. I didn't feel that I was fit enough to accomplish those videos, but reviews online told me about Power 90. After a lot of debate and hesitation (because no matter what in the past, I couldn't lose the fat around my waist and tone the rest of my body), I finally ordered the DVDs. At day 45, I could say that I had no regrets. I was starting to see muscle definition, especially in my abs (where I have NEVER seen it before). Once I finished that program, I wanted something different because I get bored with the same routine easily. So, I order Turbo Jam because the spunky blonde woman motivated me to continue. Turbo Jam was fun, but didn't provide the muscle toning I hoped for (my Beachbody Coach informed me it was more for endurance and cardio health rather than muscle tone). At this point I couldn't turn from my favorite trainer, Chalene, so I ordered her Chalean Extreme videos. I am in the Push Phase of the videos and I have seen improvements like never before! With the help and support of the Team Beachbody community and my Coach, I have pushed the limits on that I thought I could accomplish. However, I still have a ways to go because I fight everyday with old habits, such as emotional eating. I also struggle with losing the bulge around my middle (which is where I hold my weight. At least I can say I'm still pushing play 5-6 days per week and eating healthy. I have been able to limit any treats (which is hard because I could eat dessert for the rest of my life and be happy as a clam). Who knows where the future will take me. The only thing I hope for in the New Year(2010) is that Chalene comes out with more videos and that I have a successful graduation from college.

UPDATE 12/5/10
Chalean Extreme gave me the building blocks and motivation to work out with weights and up the intensity of my workouts. While I am not committed to any particular program, I make weight lifting my main workout. When I do cardio I usually pop-in a Turbo Jam or Chalean video. I still struggle with eating, as I tend to have an all or nothing mentality. It ends up being a cycle of guilt and happiness because there is so much information out there as far as nutrition goes. I have recently come back to looking at the Team Beachbody meal plan since it's basic and has the 30/30/40 ratio that I want to achieve (lately I've been struggling with carbs and sugar). I also like the strategies I find in Oxygen Magazine... all other women's fitness magazines are for wimps!

Overall, I'm stronger and 80% happy with how far I come, but I need to work on the mental stuff, like my struggle with food (i.e. is there such a thing as eating too healthy? also, by "struggle" I mean what style of eating is right for me. I like to eat healthy and never, ever starve myself). I also need to lose the last few pounds over my waist (abs are made in the kitchen, see previous note!).