Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

Struggle, self-pity, denial and disappointment was my life's screenplay that I wrote, produced and starred in as the leading character.

Initially, I was a slim, in shape, very active young girl in my teen years. I started having self-esteem issues after graduating when I first lost my father to HIV on my 17th birthday. This devastated me because my Dad always made me feel good about myself....once he was gone who would make me feel that way again, I wondered?

Those negative feelings intensified when I lost my morbidly obese grandmother who was 5ft 300lbs in death suddenly. This tragedy along with the leading man in my life who only pretended to love me, caused me to take a swim in the "sea of pity and misery." I ended up alone on an island in the middle of "no where"!

Emotional eating was my self-made crawlspace I went to escape the pain. A couple of years of this, and 4 pregnancies I morphed into the Goodyear blimp weighing in at almost 200 lbs.
The moment came in my life when I was tired of feeling pity for myself.
I took a hard look at all the women in my life starting with my grandmother, my mother, her sisters and their daughters with the same destructive lifestyles of being overweight and being trapped in abusive relationships...I had to put an end to this horrific, repetitive cycle for myself and my own daughters! I refused to share my grandmother's fate of obesity and early demise.

This meant I had to make some dramatic changes to rebuild my self-esteem.

First,I divorced an abusive, philandering spouse, packed up with 4 small children; one of which only 2 weeks old and moved cross country to start a new life. That was extremely stressful because I was homeless and living out of my car with my children for over 6 months.

On a good day we could get food vouchers to get a hot meal in a restaurant, but typically we ate whatever food was given to us by shelters just to survive. The food their was filling, but of course not the healthiest. After shuffling from motel to motel tirelessly looking for work, I found a good job to get back on my feet and to focus on my weight and health.

Eventually I also re-married, got pregnant but had a miscarriage.I gained more weight before finally delivering my 5th child. Still haunted by my weight issues, I began writing a book on weight loss, but I knew "I" had to be in top shape if I was to inspire others to get healthy and fit.

Determined to make it happen,I turned to my business partner/coach who introduced P90x and turbo jam to me and I got busy!!
Although skeptical at first, I tried it anyway.In just a few weeks I started seeing results and I liked how easily the videos fit into my lifestyle of being a full-time nursing mom, traveling on a book tour...and more. I felt
great that I was able to change my body "with" my family and possibly earn additional money - which was SOOO needed! That convinced me that Beach Body was perfect for me.

Prior to joining Beachbody my workout schedule was hit and miss. I often felt guilty for not being home more, and of course I still felt a little hypocritical because my body was not yet in the greatest condition either. Let’s face it I was supposed to inspire others to get fit.

Beachbody was the ammunition I needed to achieve the body I desired. The fun and engaging workout videos actually allowed me to spend more quality time together as a family. Thus, I no longer felt guilty about being away at the gym. Additionally, my energy levels increased to where I started giving more individualized attention to each child, so they are all happy, healthy, and each are straight A students!

It was inevitable that I would meet with several challenges along the way. The first was loneliness and isolation. My husband and I now live in separate states which temporarily leaves me in the role of a single parent "again". Feelings of self-pity and doubt brought on temptation for emotional eating again.

My next biggest challenge was time management; finding the time for fitness while juggling my book tour and keeping up with the demands of my home and children was hard. Lastly, my financial challenge was major with having such a large family to care for.
In spite of it all - I kept pushing play! I journaled my feelings, my daily foods, and my workout programs. I also worked very closely with my coach and helped create a fit/weight loss support group for African American and Latina women. My coach advised me to keep my pictures visible everywhere in the house to keep my incentive high.

While working out in Wowy, I told myself that every push up, crunch, or weight I lifted was for "every woman" out there who struggled for years like me...I was doing it for them too!
I wear many different hats as a Mother of five, ages 20 months-10 years old. However, "I am a WOMAN first." Beachbody has freed me from the bondages of excess weight and has given me and my family an organized routine of healthy living habits.

I am absolutely ecstatic to say that after having 5 babies, I finally, have a Beach Body. I am lean, toned, slim and yes, SEXY! I lost those 40 lbs, 6 dress sizes, 18 inches and 12% body fat. If you find it, keep it because I will never claim it again.
I love the 1.5 lb lean muscle that I gained. It makes me feel stronger, more attractive and confident than ever!

Now I can travel on the road promoting my book with full confidence knowing that I am walking the talk that I write about. Now "I am" the success story that will truly help others to reach their goals!

Thank you Beach Body for this wonderful opportunity and experience.Thanks to you I have living proof that Blacks and anybody CAN lose weight and be healthy despite any and all obstacles! Anyone can succeed with Beach Body – all you have to do is Decide and Commit!