“I Didn’t Need a Gym or a Babysitter”

^†Results vary depending on starting point and effort. Sarah is an independent Beachbody Coach.

Meet Sarah G.! She participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for September 21st!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
Before Beachbody, I felt stuck in my body and had little-to-no energy. I couldn’t figure out why. I was finally at a point where I absolutely hated the way I looked and felt. I would avoid full-body mirrors and spent everyday wearing a spanx cami to try and hide the extra weight that I had gained from my pregnancy and unhealthy habits. I was always careful to choose photos that showed my best angle, an angle that was becoming very limited. My face began to fill out, and my maternity clothes were no longer hiding the fact that I wasn’t losing the baby weight. I was becoming very unhappy and had to force a smile on my face for photos.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I initially started this journey because I was fed up with the excuses. I knew I was stuck and that something needed to change, but I dragged my feet. I didn’t realize I was in that bad of shape or that I had gotten so big. I thought that I hid my weight well and that the excuse of being a new mom was enough to keep others from noticing. However, after seeing photos from a friend’s wedding, it was obvious that I wasn’t hiding anything. Those candid shots were a rude awakening. I was looking at an unhealthy person. I was also inspired by my son. I worried that one day I wouldn’t be able to keep up with him. I needed to be a fit mom so that I could keep him safe if needed. For so long, I was avoiding photos or deleting the “fat” pics. My son deserved to have every memory captured, and I was taking that away.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
The greatest challenge I faced was getting off of the excuse train. As a working mom, it was all too easy to make excuses for my lifestyle. I didn’t have time for the gym. I didn’t have energy to workout. I didn’t have time to prepare healthy meals. P90X/P90X3/21 Day Fix helped me because I could do it on my time. I didn’t need a gym or a babysitter. I could pop the DVD in while my son was napping and get to work, or he could even join me! I also started drinking Shakeology, and it helped me get rid of the, “I don’t have time for a meal,” excuse. The meal planning for the 21 Day Fix was simple. Prepping my food in advance really helped me save time in the kitchen.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
Throughout the Beachbody Challenge, I’ve been able to lose 40 lbs and drop 6 pants sizes. These programs gave me the strength and confidence to get back into running (something I’ve always struggled with) and gave me the courage to sign up for and complete my first marathon. The 21 Day Fix helped me get over my post marathon slump and helped push me through my weight loss plateau.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
Since completing the program, I have a new sense of self worth, and my confidence has skyrocketed. I still have my rough days, but I use those days to look back and see how far I’ve come. I’ve also taken this opportunity to become a Coach and help inspire others to get up and change their lives. I actually feel like I’ve found my passion in health and fitness and am now working hard to make this a potential career.

You can change your life, too. Take the Beachbody Challenge, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash and prizes.