In 2015 Alysia Lost 65 Pounds, In 2016 She Won $1,500 in the Beachbody Challenge!
Alysia Love-Bartley lost 65 lbs. in 11 months with PiYo, CIZE, 21 Day Fix, and 21 Day Fix EXTREME. She entered her results into 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 January 2015, I was depressed, discouraged, and had no hope whatsoever in losing all the weight that I had gained. While giving birth to my son in 2014, I broke my tailbone, an injury which kept me from working out and losing weight postpartum.o I slipped into depression, and ended up gaining weight on top of my pregnancy pounds. January 2015 is when I hit the scale at 225 pounds, and my doctor said I had to do something about it. I cringe every time I hear the word obese, and to be described as obese is such a painful thing. I could deny it, and blame it on my injury and pregnancy, but it didn’t make it go away. What made it go away was working hard this year, and being able to trust programs that worked for so many other people — that they just had to work for me.
What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I couldn’t look in the mirror and be happy. I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin. How was I starting off my new role as a parent by being overweight and hating myself? I really did hate myself. I was broken inside and out, and looked like hell. Then I saw my husband using Body Beast and drinking Shakeology, and getting really awesome results pretty quickly. I decided that I wanted my own workout program, so I started with PiYo along with Shakeology. It didn’t look intimidating, it looked relaxing — wrong. It was sweat-tastic. But by the end, my body was flexible again, the muscles surrounding my tailbone were stronger and helping hold it in place better, and I was down 25 pounds! From there, it was an easy choice to continue with Shakeology and try other Beachbody programs. I went on to lose a total of 65 pounds this year with PiYo, CIZE, 21DF, and 21DFX. My biggest drops in weight were not just in the beginning of my journey, like you’d think. I ended up losing 9 pounds in just three weeks in December!
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 before taking that first step was the price. Financially, I didn’t think I could, but in the bigger picture, I couldn’t afford not to. Thank god I listened to reasoning, or I wouldn’t be where I am today. The emotional challenges I faced were countless, but looking back, they seem silly at times. It helps having the support, encouragement, and inspiration that comes with the program purchase. You don’t just purchase a few DVDs of workouts, you get the Beachbody family with that. You have a team of Coaches and other members helping you along, pushing you when you need it the most, and listening when you just need an ear. You really make a whole new group of friends through fitness. There is nothing better than having friends that are interested in the same things, going through the same struggles, and friends that have been where you are and are the result of where you want to be. Nothing is more motivating than that!
What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
Each program I finished, I felt was my program, like it was made just for me! My favorite is 21DFX, because it’s only three weeks, and who doesn’t want to drop pant sizes in such a short period of time — doing it the right way! I followed a meal plan of healthy foods and never went hungry. It was hard around the holidays being around such tempting foods. But I’ll tell ya, after 21 days, you break habits and create new ones. Particularly during the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas when all of my non-fitness friends were gaining weight, I ended up dropping nine (very noticeable) pounds! Those sugary foods and drinks didn’t taste the same! Too sugary and too salty. There is absolutely nothing better than natural food to me now, which makes it even easier to continue to lose weight!
Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I went from 225 pounds to 160 pounds, and from size 16 to size 7/8 — over 44 inches! Need I say more?! My results in 2015 achieved with Beachbody programs, Shakeology, and the support of my Beachbody family are huge! I’m not obese. People don’t recognize me now who knew me then. People that I meet now don’t believe that I was ever that big. It’s crazy! Initially, I thought that if I ever could lose the weight, I’d be left with sagging loose skin. But these programs tighten and tone you up as you lose the weight. So for me, that didn’t happen!
How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
In January, having to say, “I need to lose 70 pounds,” seemed unrealistic and unobtainable — to the point that I didn’t think it was possible. I’ve lost so much weight, and gained so much determination and confidence. In January, I was unhappy with everything. I even hated my job. Now, here I am in December: I love my body, I love working out, my tailbone is completely stable because of the muscle I’ve builto, and I even landed my dream job (and I start January 1st)! I have so many more friends, I’m the mom I wanted to be, and I’m the wife I should be. Going into 2016, I am the me I’ve always wanted to be! My original 2015 goals were far surpassed, and my new goals don’t seem so impossible. In fact, comparatively, they are right within reach!
How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
I was very shy in Challenge Groups at first. I stood on the sidelines, so to speak, and watched what others posted, which was enough motivation at first. Eventually, actually participating in the Challenge Groups held me accountable. I had other people asking me questions, and people that had been inspiring me were now seeking my help! By December, I was showing over 52,000 people the “before” pictures I was so ashamed of even my husband seeing. Try that for accountability! This year, I made awesome fitness friends across the country through Beachbody Challenge Groups, who made me feel like I could do it, because they’ve done it. I learned how and what to eat, that non-scale victories need to be celebrated, and that sometimes you just need to give the scale time to catch up.
How did your Team Beachbody Coach support you on your journey?
My Team Beachbody Coach is actually my best friend, and husband! He inspired me with his own transformation. I saw firsthand the effort and time he put into his diet and exercise. He inspires me daily, and now he says I keep him going! He has the confidence to share his story and help others. That makes me want to push harder, reach higher, go far, and hopefully become a Coach too! Through all of the obstacles and surprises on the scale (both good and bad), he keeps me focused and reminds me how far I’ve come and that the possibilities are endless.
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?
The only way to lose weight that will stay off is to lose fat, gain muscle, and fuel your body with what it needs — healthy, balanced nutrition — and that’s exactly what Shakeology has in it. I know that when I drink my drink, it has all the nutrients I need for the day. I’m not depriving my body by just drinking some diet shake to replace a meal — I’m truly fueling my body!
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.
oConsult your physician before discontinuing or altering any prescribed medication.