“I Was Able to Drop over 80 Pounds While Getting Incredibly Strong”

“I Was Able to Drop over 80 Pounds While Getting Incredibly Strong”

Results vary depending on starting point and effort. 

Meet Joshua B.! He participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for December 10th!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I was tired all of the time. I had difficultly keeping up with my little boy at home. In general, I was depressed and disappointed in myself. I couldn’t get over the scale when I stepped on it. I guess you pack on the pounds over time, and don’t really see yourself in the mirror. I work in an office, so there isn’t much exercise for most of the day. I found myself sneaking food in the middle of the night, eating cookies from vending machines, and downing 2 to 3 large bottles of Mountain Dew a day. I actually convinced myself that the “real” sugar in soda was better than the diet stuff. It never occurred to me that maybe I should just drink water. I recall complaining to my wife about needing to do something about my weight as we drove to a Chinese buffet. Wow! Who was I back then? Looking back, you get in a downward spiral. I was unhappy because I was fat, and ate because I was unhappy.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
My son wanted nothing more than to play with his dad. I was disgusted with myself that I could barely stay awake after work let alone play with a toddler. I made a promise to myself and my family that I would be healthy for life. I wanted to be around to be a grandfather or great grandfather one day. I wasn’t going to get there with the current track I was on. In addition, I wanted to set a good example for my kids. Not to blame my parents, but I wasn’t taught the best eating habits or about the importance of exercise. I figured if I started with a healthy lifestyle from when my son was a toddler, being healthy would become second nature to him. I guess everyone wants the best for their children. He had a large part in my decision to start this journey.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
I was really out of shape. It was difficult at times to get through the DVDs. I followed the best advice anyone has every given “just show up and keep pushing play.” I saw Tony on that screen in 10 times the shape of me being 20 years my elder. I thought to myself, maybe I’ll never look as good as Tony, but it’s a good goal to set. Correcting my eating habits was also a challenge. I started slow. I cut out sweets and soda. This alone led to large amounts of weight loss. I tried to make better choices when I ate: get the steamed vegetables instead of the fries, grilled chicken instead of the fried, stop eating when you’re full, etc. Being a dad and having a career, I only have so much time in the day. P90X3 provides intense, short workouts that were able to become part of my daily routine.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
This is the leanest I’ve been since high school. I always had these thoughts of looking like Mr. Universe for some reason. Now that I have lean muscle tone, I wonder what was I thinking? I was able to drop over 80 pounds while getting incredibly strong. It still amazes me.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I have almost endless energy now. I play with my kids from when I get home till when they go to bed. I have made exercise a game. My son knows yoga poses, he loves sitting on my back for push-ups, and we even do burpees together. I can’t thank the people at Beachbody enough, especially Tony Horton, for giving me a second chance at life. My life is forever changed for the better.

You can change your life, too. Take the Beachbody Challenge, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash and prizes.