Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

About a year ago, I smoked half of a pack of cigarettes a day, drank regularly, and didn’t exercise much. Life was good, though. I was building a small graphic design business while working, and my wife worked nights as a nurse at a local hospital. Financially, we were in great shape and had saved a decent amount of money at that point as well. We ate very delicious but not necessarily nutritious meals. We even owned a brand new bowflex, a treadmill, among other equipment, and we even had a designated workout room. Even so, I hardly worked out, and when I did, it consisted of a short, familiar routine, which was decent, but really not very challenging. I remember going to my doctor for my annual physical. Each year he would have the same advice: “You are in good health for the most part, but in order to avoid the same health problems your dad has, you should try and get your weight down…” I always shrugged it off but knew in the back of my mind that he was right.

In the fall of 2008, the Chicago River flooded, and I was left with over 3 feet of water in my basement, destroying my floors, walls, and many major appliances and furnishings. It was truly devastating. I felt so helpless to myself and my family; I cannot truly explain the feeling. It was around this time that I made a choice to “suck it up” and do what it took to get things as close to normal as possible as quickly as I could. Over the next 3 months I personally rebuilt my basement, with the guidance and leadership of a family friend who is a professional contractor. I learned many things regarding home construction, but most importantly I learned that I could do anything I put my mind to. I then made the conscious decision to do something about my health and body. I made some diet changes and began to work out a few times a week at a local YMCA, and I lost around 30 lbs and was in better shape. I also quit smoking on January 1st, 2009.

Flipping channels one night, I saw the infomercial for P90X. I was glued to the TV. It looked intense, and I totally bought in to the science of muscle confusion that the program is based around. Further, it looked so complete. In addition to laying out a fitness routine that covered various strength training, athletic drills, martial arts, and yoga and implementing cardio, they also had a full nutrition program to go along with the fitness. It really appealed to me because it looked challenging, and it looked real. For once there wasn’t some fake doctor telling me about how easy it is to lose weight with a new pill, or to just use one gimmicky machine and all my fat would disappear. I ordered it, and when I got my system delivered, I immediately dove in and decided to do whatever I was instructed to do. I figured they did all the work, all I had to do was follow instructions, and the rest was history.

Surprisingly, once my mind was right, the obstacles, temptations, and distractions withered. I once learned a valuable lesson in a conversation with a friend regarding addiction. A person can’t quit their addiction through the will to quit alone. Rather, a person must find something more important to him/her and to focus on that. It is only then that a person can truly cure themselves. So I did just that. I figured I wanted to avoid major health problems in the future not just for my personal well-being, but because family, friends, and my future children would need me here for them and to enjoy life with them. Once I looked at it that way, I haven’t wanted to smoke a cigarette, desired unhealthy eating habits, nor wanted to live without being extremely fit. I began wanting to lose some weight, but I have learned how to live a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and fitness, and I am helping others to do the same as a Beachbody Coach!

I have lost close to 80lbs since my heaviest around a year ago! I look and feel better than I ever had in my life. I currently am a supervisor at a healthy fast-food restaurant located in a gym downtown. I pursued the opportunity especially so I could promote health all day! I also am working toward getting my Certified Personal Trainer certification so that I can learn even more about fitness and help more people better their lives! My favorite accomplishment would have to be inspiring my parents to make some healthier changes. Besides exercising better judgment in their dietary choices, throughout the summer, my father and I went on a number of 20-30 mile bike rides, and to cap it off, we finished a 50-mile invitational ride, which was our major milestone. The awesome part is my dad is 72 years old and healthier than he’s been in years! His doctor has even been able to reduce some of his medications as a result! He is truly my hero! Thanks for visiting...and if you're on the fence, I want to tell you to make the decision that will better your life. I'll be here when you're ready. BRING IT!