Beachbody Results: Dad Sets Example for His Kids, Loses 71 Pounds

Beachbody Results: Dad Sets Example for His Kids, Loses 71 Pounds

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

Steve Sample lost 71 lbs. with a hybrid of Beachbody programs, such as P90X, INSANITY, P90X2, INSANITY: THE ASYLUM VOLUME 1 & 2, and Body Beast. He entered his results into The Beachbody Challenge, and won the $500 Daily Prize for October 18th!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
My life has always been great. I have a great family that has always supported me unconditionally. However, the way I felt about myself was a different story. I have always been the fun guy who is always happy but, for most of my life, that was a front. I was miserable on the inside. I struggled with depression, and spent time and money throwing pills at that issue rather than facing the true root of my problem. I always made excuses for my weight: my metabolism is slow, must be something wrong with my thyroid, poor genetics, etc. I was never willing to look in the mirror and admit to the guy I saw that it was all on me! Looking at myself in the mirror made me sad that I had let myself go so far. I was so ashamed, I wouldn’t let my wife take my “before” pictures.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
With a young son, I knew I needed to be better. I could see my poor choices affecting him at a young age. I knew if I didn’t make some sort of a change and set a better example, he would follow in his dad’s footsteps, which were going to lead to a life of struggles, physically. I had started running in 2010 at 281 lbs., and had some success losing weight that summer. I actually lost 50 lbs. and felt great. Unfortunately, I did not change my poor nutrition, and come winter, I gained nearly all of it back. In spring 2011, I tried to start running again but could not find the groove. My weight hovered around 260 lbs. for all of 2011. I have been friends with Lance Lyell for a few years now, and always seeing his posts and updates on Facebook finally clicked with me. I decided to join one of his Challenge Groups that was starting January 16, 2012. Little did I know that this one decision would change my entire life. Now was my time!

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
I have a broken fifth metatarsal in my right foot. It is an old injury that hurts terribly when I carry a lot of weight. I was told in November 2011 that I needed surgery to have the bone removed, and an anchor placed in my foot to hold the ligaments to the remaining bone. The doctor told me if I didn’t have the surgery, I would just have to learn to live with the pain.3 I contemplated having the surgery, but decided to see how it reacted during P90X. Starting off was a challenge, but I learned to modify some of the moves and pushed through. Today, I hardly ever notice it hurting. Two rounds of P90X and a round of INSANITY, ASYLUM Volume 1 & 2, P90X2, and Body Beast have proven that not only is my entire body strong, but my foot is stronger than ever. I am so thankful to have avoided surgery.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
Shaun T is awesome. The supporting cast is great. You can tell that his relationship with them is genuine, and he respects them as much as they respect him.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
My results have absolutely amazed me. I have been “big” all my life. I feel better at 38 than I did at 18. I weigh less now than I did as a freshman in high school. The achievement I am most proud of is finishing it! I am also very happy to have finished it with my wife. Doing the program together as a team was amazing! This past April, I completed a ToughMudder race, and broke down in to tears after crossing the finish line. Knowing how far I had come, and proving to myself that I could truly do anything I set my mind to, is a powerful feeling. I also recently ran a 5K in the town I grew up in. Not only was I able to run three miles without stopping, but I finished first in my age group. I was floored at how these programs have prepared me for something I never thought was possible.

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How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
Every aspect of my life has been touched by Beachbody! I am a better husband, father, employee, and friend. My family now sits down to dinner together nearly every night at the dinner table, rather than eating at different times and doing so on the couch. I have the energy needed to keep up with my 11-year-old and 5-year-old. I truly have the life I always dreamed about, and I owe that all to Beachbody and Shakeology!

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
Challenge Groups are a must. They hold you accountable and also help you realize that the struggles you are having are not only yours. Everyone is struggling right along with you! I have been in multiple Challenge Groups over the past two years, and they are so crucial. Working out alone at home can be tough. Challenge Groups allow you to work out together with people who will become lifelong friends!

How did your Team Beachbody Coach support you on your journey?
By always being available to me. Any questions I had were always answered, and he has always made me feel like more than just a number.

How did a Beachbody supplement, nutritional product, or program (such as Shakeology or Beachbody Ultimate Reset) support your transformation? What are the greatest benefits you gained? Did you see benefits to your energy, sleep, mood/mental clarity, or digestion/regularity?
Shakeology makes eating healthy easy! It powers me through the tough part of the day, and gives me the focus and energy I need to be productive at work. It tastes amazing, and there are so many different recipes available to keep it from getting “old” by being the exact same every time! It is 100 percent of the reason I was able to kick my addiction to chocolate and sugary treats! It has helped me maintain my weight loss, which is the most important and trying part of any journey.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 gift and a chance to win cash and prizes.

3Always consult with your physician about your unique medical needs before starting any fitness program or nutrition product.
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.