Beachbody Results: Brian Lost 47 Pounds and Won $500

Brian O’Connell, age 52, lost 47 lbs. with 21 Day Fix and PiYo. He entered his Beachbody results into the The Beachbody Challenge, and won $1,500!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
In the 33-plus years since high school, my weight has slowly kept creeping up. In the past few years, I really started to pack on the pounds. My poor diet was finally catching up to me. I started to get winded just doing basic things like climbing a couple of flights of stairs. I was that guy who wears a shirt in the pool and at the beach, because I was ashamed to take it off. I knew I was in the worst shape of my life, but I couldn’t bring myself to do something about it.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
In the spring of 2015, I had lunch with a former colleague that I had not seen in a year. She looked fantastic, and she attributed her weight loss and fit lifestyle to 21 Day Fix. After the lunch, she sent me a picture of a football coach that we both knew, and remarked about how much extra weight he had gained recently. I knew it was her passive-aggressive way of telling me that I was the one who needed to get in shape. At first I was angry with her, but after a few months, I finally decided to give 21 Day Fix a try.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
I hate going to the gym, and have wasted a lot of money on gym memberships over the years. I have started a number of workout and running programs over the years, only to quit each one after a few weeks or months. My diet was mainly carbs and highly processed foods. 21 Day Fix helped me to overcome all of my excuses. I only have to count portions, not calories. The nutrition plan is well-balanced. I can work out in my basement for a half-hour per day.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I love its simplicity. I work out for a half-hour each day. I choose food portions from specific lists. That’s it. I don’t have to count calories or steps. I don’t need a lot of equipment. I don’t have to drive anywhere. Even if I do the modified exercises, I still see results.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
In my first round of 21 Day Fix, I modified 90 percent of the exercises. I paused the videos to sit and rest at times. I committed to the nutrition plan, though, and lost 13 pounds in 21 days! I was amazed at how the pounds just melted off. I did a couple more rounds of 21 Day Fix, and soon was able to do mostly regular exercises with no modifiers. I then tried PiYo, and now I alternate between 21 Day Fix and PiYo workouts each day. I have amazed myself by committing to and sticking to these programs. My 30-minute workout is a great way to start each day, and I have now lost 47 pounds in five months!

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
For the first time in years, my blood pressure and cholesterol are not in an elevated range. I have much more energy each day. People compliment me on how fit I look and ask what I am doing. I like that I smile at myself when I look in the mirror now. I am developing and toning muscles all over my body. My diet has changed dramatically. I even shop in completely different aisles in the grocery store than I did five months ago.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
The Challenge Group helped me to focus on one day at a time. I looked forward to checking in each day, because I knew I was with a group that was going through the same thing as me. When anyone had a tough day, we found encouragement. When we had success, others were there to celebrate together. I prefer to work out alone, but found that I also need to share what I am doing with others to help me stay on track.

How did your Team Beachbody Coach support you on your journey?
Mimi’s support has been invaluable. She works out each day too, and shares her daily struggles and accomplishments. She provided my Challenge Group with a positive, encouraging environment. She helped me to see that good habits take time and repetition to develop. She used a points-based competitive program for our daily check-ins. As I tried to earn points, I was developing additional good habits like drinking plenty of water and stretching more often. She helped me to choose PiYo as a second program, based on my experiences with 21 Day Fix, and now I enjoy alternating between those two workout programs.

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?
I drink Shakeology every day. At first, I was skeptical of its cost and benefits. I don’t seem to get enough protein each day, and this has become a great source of protein and so much more. I now look forward to my mid-afternoon shake. That was the time of day when I used to load up on chips, fast food, and/or sweets. Shakeology has replaced those cravings for junk food. I actually spend less money each day on Shakeology than I did on those other food choices, too.

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.

Results vary depending on starting point, goals, and effort.