“I Was So Obese, Even the Big and Tall Stores Did Not Carry My Size”

“I Was So Obese, Even the Big and Tall Stores Did Not Carry My Size”

Results vary depending on starting point and effort. Martin is an independent Beachbody Coach.

Meet Martin, age 51, from Milford, NE. He entered The Beachbody Challenge in December, 2014, and won a Daily Prize of $500 + a Monthly Prize of $1,000 + an Ultimate Health Transformation Prize of $1,000 for a total of $2,500!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
My life before I started my fitness journey was literally a living hell on earth. Day to day tasks like tying my shoes or picking something up from the floor was almost impossible. I had gotten to the point where I could barely walk. All I could think about was what snack food I wanted to eat next. Food had become a complete obsession. I became depressed and aggravated when I shopped for new clothes. I was so obese that even the big and tall stores did not carry my sizes. After trying on all the clothes in a store, I would settle for something that almost fit. Even going to a movie was hard, because I took up multiple seats. The most spacious vehicle had become uncomfortable and the seat belts no longer fit. Going out in public was a nightmare because of the humiliating looks and comments. Special events and family gatherings were difficult to face. All this and much more gave me a very low self-worth. What I managed to do to my own body caused me to hate it and life.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
My youngest daughter was a senior in high school, and as I looked over my children’s life I realized how much of my own life I had missed out on. Then Dan and Jessie, two of our best friends, asked me and my wife to be godparents to their child. I went from being blinded to my condition to realizing just how far I had let my physical health slip. I tried to start my fitness journey, but the road to health was so far out of reach. Too soon it was time to be at my godson’s dedication, and I couldn’t go because of my size. I was just too large to get up in front of a crowd. Soon after this, my daughter was ready to graduate high school. I was barely able to find an outfit to wear to it. It was then I finally determined to start my fitness journey. At first, and for a long time, the weight didn’t come off even though I had changed my eating habits. Before, challenges like these would have crippled me. But now, I allow them to fuel my inspiration and focus my determination.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
I was in my mid forties before I decided to regain my health. By then I had reached a size of 552 pounds. The toughest challenge I faced was accepting it wasn’t too late to regain my cardio fitness and overall health. I had come a ways in weight loss before Beachbody but because of my size, I still hadn’t made any strides in my fitness health and the weight loss left me in a weakened state. I still felt fitness was a battle I could not win. Plus, I didn’t have the first clue where to start. I decided to try out Focus T25 because I was told it was low impact and for beginners. I realized trying to get through my first workout I didn’t even qualify as a beginner. The workouts being on DVD allowed me to pause and catch my breath before continuing on to the next exercise. Without the modifier portion of the workouts, I couldn’t have ever gotten through them at first. The modifier allowed me to complete the workouts effectively until I was able to do the more challenging movements.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I loved the fact T25 is only 25 minutes long. This took away all excuses about not having time to do a workout. Like most people, time for me is a major concern. I never have enough time in a day to do the things I need to get done. I also love the fact it is set up to start people off at an easier pace and works them up to more challenging workouts later. The modifier was very helpful at first when I wasn’t able to complete the more difficult exercises. This allowed me to work my way up to a higher level of fitness at my own pace. Shaun T is an amazing motivational trainer. He has a talent for making a really tough workout into an enjoyable time. It is great he has his peeps doing the workout with him. It lets me know I’m not the only one fighting hard to get into better overall shape. I have been to several gyms over the years, and I have never felt welcomed in them. These videos make me feel like I’m hanging with my fitness family, and I always have a great time.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I am amazed at how quickly the gains in fitness came following the T25 workout program. I went from struggling to get up and down off the ground to being able to do burpees and sprawls. I could not do a jumping jack before starting T25 and now, I do them with ease. The second biggest achievement for me was in my overall cardio. I was not able to get through the first five minutes of a workout when I started. Now, I do at least two together and have since completed INSANITY and both asylums, which are really hardcore workouts. The biggest achievement by far for me is the amount of toning these workouts have done to my body. My overall appearance continues to improve even though most of the weight I needed to lose is already off of my frame. I have dropped from an XL shirt and 42″ waste to a large shirt and a 34″ waist. People who used to tell me I needed to do some type of cardio workout are now telling me they need to start being more committed like me.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
Every type of day-to-day task has become easier for me since doing T25. I can now bend over and tie my shoes with ease. And I actually enjoy it when there is some type of physical labor to be done at home or at work. We have a one-year-old rat pin puppy that I now can run around the yard, or around the house when the wife isn’t looking, to play with and get some exercise. I didn’t have the stamina to do that before completing T25 and other Beachbody workouts. My wife and I went to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha NE for our anniversary. Thanks to what T25 did for me, I ran around the Zoo for the entire day full of energy. I still can’t believe how much more enjoyable all the sights were that day with my new found stamina. It has also helped me deal better with the day-to-day stresses of life. I have learned to sweat out my worries on the gym floor and leave them behind. My overall sleep has improved since starting my Beachbody workouts.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
The close knit challenge group I’m in is the ONLY reason I pushed play every day. Without their support, my disks would have sat on the shelves collecting dust. I was doing T25 while others in the challenge group were doing P90x3. The day to day talks and posts about our workouts are what got me through the tough times. I loved the social connection more than I hated some of the growing pains I was putting my body through. I look forward to reading my peeps posts about the day to day challenges that arise and try to get in the way of our workouts. I have had the blessing of being in a challenge group that accepts no lame excuses for not doing our best. They have pushed for complete accountability to one another. We know that if we skip our workouts, we aren’t just letting ourselves down, we are letting the whole team down. With their help, I have also completed insanity and both stays in the asylum. Which are by far the most extremely insane workouts anyone has ever imagined!!!

How did Shakeology® or Beachbody Ultimate Reset® support your transformation? What are the greatest benefits you gained?
Shakeology has been a vital part of my transformation. This nutrient dense meal has provided some key elements to help my skin remain pliable and continue to tighten. I have been able to handle the most extreme Beachbody workouts because of the energy and recovery that its super foods give me. My hunger pains have greatly decreased since supplementing with Shakeology. I used to barely make it to lunch before drinking Shakeology. I’m not starving anymore by lunch time. I work with computers at my job crunching numbers. Shakeology, teamed with the workouts, has given me better mental focus. I can feel a marked improvement in my digestion of my food since starting Shakeology. I no longer feel bloated after a meal since using it regularly. Speaking of being regular, I no longer get constipated since starting Shakeology, going every morning shortly after waking up. I know I’m sleeping better since starting Shakeology because I wake up refreshed and ready to face another day!2

You can change your life too. Take the Beachbody Challenge for the tools you need to Decide, Commit, and Succeed. Complete any Beachbody program, and enter your results for a free shirt and a chance to win cash & prizes.

2These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.