See How I Went from a Size 12 to a Size 4

Ivette A lost 30 lbs with FOCUS T25, 21 Day Fix, and 21 Day Fix EXTREME. She entered her results into The Beachbody Challenge , and won the $500 Daily Prize for August 1st!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
Before starting my overall fitness journey, my life was all about work, work, work. I was pulling 12 hour days, plus working weekends, during an intense 8 month leadership internship at work. I had no time to work out, was constantly tired, was sedentary most of the time, was eating junk because I came home so late and didn’t want to cook, was feeling sluggish, had no energy, was easily irritated, barely slept, and to top it all off the pounds started coming. My clothes didn’t fit right. I hated the way I looked in the mirror. I was telling myself that it was the suits that made me look big, but it was me. I felt bloated. I just couldn’t find anything that fit right and found myself reusing the same outfits that sort of did. I was disappointed that someone who had walked a 40 mile marathon a couple of years ago and had lost 30 lbs while training could let herself go. It was embarrassing. I knew I had to put myself as a priority again, I just didn’t know how. I felt lost.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I was so unhappy with how I looked and felt. None of my clothes fit. I was constantly stressed out because of my long work hours that I wasn’t sleeping well at all. I would have sleepless nights on a regular basis and when I did sleep I didn’t feel rested because I was constantly waking up in the middle of the night. It would take me hours to fall asleep and only if I was wearing my ear plugs and a sleep mask. But none of this motivated as much as when my husband and I started seriously talking that it was time to start a family. I knew my body was worn out and couldn’t handle the stress of a baby at this point. I was overweight and self-conscious as it was, now imagine adding a baby to the equation! So I realized that I had to do something, not only for me, but for my future child. It wasn’t going to be about me anymore. Then it clicked, I had finally found my “why”.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
Definitely time! I would wake up at 5:30 AM everyday and would arrive home around 7:00 PM. By the time I cooked dinner it was after 8 PM and by then I was getting ready to go back to bed! I just had no time to workout! It wasn’t until I discovered FOCUS T25 through an infomercial that my workout time concept was revolutionized. A full body workout for only 25 minutes a day? Even I could achieve that somehow! And I did. I bought the program and started working out in the morning before going to work. I knew that if I did it in the morning, it didn’t matter what time I came home from work because my workout was done! And just like that, time was no longer a factor. This program literally changed my life and was the catalyst to my fitness journey. Since then I have worked out daily to various 30 minute workouts, the latest being 21 Day Fix EXTREME, and am the proof that 30 minutes a day can change your body.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I loved the portion control containers for the 21 Day Fix! I had just completed several rounds of this program and had seen amazing results with the meal plan and workouts. I was wanting to really tone up and get more muscle definition. So when the 21 Day Fix EXTREME came out it was just a natural progression for me. It provided the next level of fitness training that I was looking for. I am a huge fan of the 30 minute workouts and especially of the food portion containers. So my main driver was the intensity of the workouts and the promise to get you shredded in 21 days. 21DFX definitely delivered! I am stronger and with more muscle definition than when I started. I love this program!

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I was not big into using weights until I did the 21 Day Fix program. So I was really excited to take it up a notch with the 21 Day Fix EXTREME. This was by far the hardest program I have ever done. I was so sore that entire first week. But I pushed though. The results have been amazing. Although I only lost a total of 4 lbs and 2 inches with the 21 Day Fix EXTREME, I have gained so much strength, flexibility, and agility. I also went down from a size 6 to a size 4. My muscles are so defined and my core is incredible tight. I have ab lines for the first time ever! I am beyond happy and excited with the results. To date I have lost a total of 30 lbs, 25 inches throughout my body, and went from a size 12 pants size to a size 4. But most important, my results have inspired others to start their own fitness journey. That is my greatest achievement.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I have gained more confidence in myself and my abilities. I have also found a passion to help people get over their excuses and start living a healthy lifestyle. I have also become a huge motivator for people who think that they don’t have time to workout. I am a walking testimony that the products work. The first time I posted my before/after pictures online (probably one of the scariest things I’ve done) I was humbled by how many people were now motivated and inspired to give working out a try. I mean if I could do it for 25-30 minutes a day… they could too! I have become a spokesperson for the Beachbody products and how people can positively change their lifestyles if they stick with it. I know this is only the beginning and I look forward to the journey that’s ahead. I have sincerely found my calling in helping and inspiring people. My goal is to create a fit generation… one person at a time.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
I joined Mindy’s 21 Day Fix Challenge Group and loved it! Having the support of a Coach and the dynamic of the team as we all worked out together was really motivating and inspiring. The group kept me accountable because I wanted to make sure I was an active and relevant participant. I made sure I logged on everyday and participated in the discussions and workouts. I also found myself really cheering and motivating others along, so I knew my call as a Coach was valid as well as reaffirmed. This also gave me the confidence to lead my own Challenge Groups. It was a great avenue to keep me motivated as well as develop me into an effective leader.

How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
Mindy Lawhorne was amazing! She is absolutely the best Coach I could’ve hoped for. She restored my confidence in myself and has motivated me throughout my journey. She listened to my fitness goals and advised me as to what program would work best for me. She was instrumental in my choosing my initial fitness program, T25, and in trying new things like PiYo and 21 Day Fix. My interaction with her has not only been on a social media basis. She would call me to check in on me and see how I was doing. She was also always readily available via text, email, or online to answer any questions. She really was my biggest cheerleader and was key in motivating me to post my results online, something I was initially terrified of. But she was so encouraging, that I did and it was a milestone for my fitness journey and business. She has since grown to become my mentor and friend. I couldn’t have asked for a better Coach and team leader.

How did a Beachbody Supplement or 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, digestion/regularity?
I have utilized Shakeology throughout my fitness journey. I would take it after my workout. Since I would work out in the morning, my breakfast would be substituted with Shakeology. I am a vegetarian, so the Vegan Chocolate flavor was perfect for me! Immediately I noticed increased energy and mental clarity. I felt a fog being lifted from my head. It used to take me an hour or so to fully “wake up” at work and be productive. Now as soon as I entered the office I was ready to go. I had this mental focus and clarity that were unbelievable. So even my work performance benefited from the use of Shakeology. This was by far the greatest benefit I gained. I was also sleeping better and had less cravings throughout the day. I was fuller longer, which meant less snaking. I know that Shakeology was instrumental in achieving my body transformation success. I totally recommend it to all of my customers.

How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program affect any existing health conditions you have?
Prior to starting my fitness journey I was suffering from insomnia, sleep deprivation, and mayor intestinal bloating. I was bringing home all of the stress and long hours from work and these were taking a toll on my body. I would wake up constantly throughout the night which affected my mental clarity and performance throughout the day. Anything I ate would trigger my gut and cause me to have bloating and pain. Once I started Shakeology and my fitness workouts that all started to change. My insomnia diminished and I started to sleep longer and with more quality of sleep. My bloating episodes were instantly gone. My body now had an outlet for the stress and it wasn’t being stored inside of me anymore. I am happy to announce that my insomnia is gone and I can now sleep a full night and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to workout and start my day on the right track. My mental clarity and sharpness is back and I can perform better and longer at work. And bloating is no more.

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.