Beachbody Results: Benjo Benefits Big-Time By Body Building

Benjo Reyes, age 35, lost 58 lbs. with 21 Day Fix, The Master’s Hammer and Chisel, Shakeology, and the Beachbody Performance supplements. He entered his 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?
I was living in denial. For the past 12 years, I kept telling myself that I was fine and that I could get back to being healthy anytime. Honestly, I kept lying to myself that I could easily get back in shape so I could splurge on food. With each bite of a burger or pizza, I kept saying I could work it off later. Well, that later never happened and my weight kept increasing. As my weight increased, I also developed high blood pressure and have been taking meds. I reached 235 pounds, waking up with knee pains and laboring to walk up stairs. I struggled to breathe, to the point of embarrassment, when a co-worker told me I was breathing hard like Darth Vader during a conference call. I hated the fact that I let myself go. I had very low energy and did not enjoy moving much, let alone exercise. I was on the path to an early grave, and it scared me.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
My current Coach kept posting her progress daily on Facebook, and it showed up on my feed each time. It got me to start thinking that if a person I know personally can make a change, then why can’t I? So I took the leap of faith and decided to try 21 Day Fix and Shakeology, then decided to jump onto The Master’s Hammer and Chisel challenge that started in January 2016. I now have a 10-month-old baby boy, and one thing I did not want to be is a dad who can’t even run after his own kid. We have had friends and family who have lost a parent due to obesity, and I did not want to be that for my future child. I made a commitment to myself and to my family that I will start the program and finish so that I can be a healthy individual with energy and confidence.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
Finding time was a challenge for me going into the program. I live an hour away from work and usually work long hours. I did not think I would have the time needed to get my workouts in. I am usually exhausted by the time I get home. So in order to overcome this challenge, I committed myself to wake up early during my first week. So I set my alarm for 4:30 AM, and it was a struggle during my first week. But soon I was able to make it a habit. As I continued with the workouts and my early morning routine, it became easier to wake up early and I found that I had more energy. Also, the traffic on my way home can get pretty congested. Instead of rushing out of my office, I decided to use our wellness room to get an extra 30 minutes of a workout. By finding ways around my time limitations, I was able to get amazing results with The Master’s Hammer and Chisel.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I was hitting a plateau late 2015 and needed a new program to break me through to the next level. When The Master’s Hammer and Chisel came out, I saw the results my friends were having. So I decided to get it. I enjoy that it incorporates weight lifting and cardio with the routines. It helped me gain muscle and lose weight. In 60 days, I lost over 15 pounds and feel much stronger. Sagi and Autumn are both great trainers who, combined together, really drive results.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
During my first round of The Master’s Hammer and Chisel, I was able to shed over 15 pounds and still feel great doing it. I did not lose energy. In fact, I found more energy as the days went by. I was never hungry, because I was eating proportioned meals and snacks throughout the day. But if I were to choose an achievement to be proud of, it would have to be my newfound passion to be healthy and to help others. I found that during my time with the Beachbody program, I truly enjoyed helping motivate and inspire others within my group and circle of friends. I became more involved in our workout group pages, and my attitude toward life became much more positive. As I see other members succeed, it helps motivate me to keep going as well. Anytime someone falls, I do my best to pick them back up and keep going. We are not in this alone, and I am willing to help as much as I can.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
My life truly has taken a 180-degree turn for the better. My recent visit to the doctor proved that these programs work. I am proud to say that I am now off of my blood pressure medication with a clean bill of health. I feel more energized, and my outlook on life is filled with positivity. I am now an active Coach and work toward helping others reach their own goals. I have regained confidence as well and have received many compliments on my progress. Some have mentioned that I am a great inspiration to them, and I am truly honored by that. I am looking forward to completing my next challenge as well as helping many others complete theirs.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
The group I joined was a tremendous factor in keeping me on track. On the days I was not motivated to work out (and there were many), the group kept urging me to push forward. As others in my group posted their results, I was able to use it as an inspiration. As I saw people just like me find success, it drove me to keep on trying until I saw my own success and reached my goals.

How did your Team Beachbody Coach support you on your journey?
There were many times I felt like I fell off track slightly and that was usually the time I gave up on myself. My Coach and others on my team would follow up and provided the encouragement at the right time to keep me going. They never gave up on me and I truly appreciate that more than they will ever know.

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 made it easy for me to keep my nutrition on track for the most part. It represented one-third of my daily meals, so I really only had to stay accountable for my lunch and dinner. It was a no-brainer for me to keep up with Shakeology, because it gave me all the nutrients I needed to start my day. I also felt more energy throughout the day as I became more consistent with drinking Shakeology.

How did a Beachbody supplement, nutritional product, or program affect any existing health conditions you have?
I have had a history of high blood pressure to the point where I have been taking medication the past several years and in increasing doses. I was also at risk of developing diabetes due to my weight. By the time I completed my first round of 21 Day Fix, I checked in with my doctor and he was amazed with my results. My tests came out normal as well, and he immediately took me off my meds. Through the addition of The Master’s Hammer and Chisel with my later rounds, I was able to maintain a normal blood pressure. That validated my decision to stick with the programs and find more success in my health with Beachbody and its team of Coaches and clients.

Did you achieve any other measurable improvements with a Beachbody supplement, nutritional product, or program (e.g. blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, etc.)?
My high blood pressure normalized after a month of the 21 Day Fix Challenge, along with Shakeology and The Master’s Hammer and Chisel.

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.