Mother of Two Loses 59 Pounds, Wins $500

Julie Ostrander lost 59 lbs. with PiYo, 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix EXTREME, and Ultimate Reset. She entered her results into the Beachbody Challenge, and won the $500 Daily Prize for January 25th!
Julie is an independent Beachbody Coach.

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I had been in a downward spiral since I went back to work after my second child. I had lost most of the baby weight during maternity leave, but when I went back to work, life got hard. I ended up eating my way through it and not taking care of myself at all. Two years after my second child was born, I weighed as much as I did when I was full-term with her. One of my friend’s children asked me if I was having another baby. Yep, it was bad. I wasn’t happy with how I looked or felt, so I didn’t look in the mirror and I wasn’t in tune with how my decisions were affecting my health. When I saw pictures of myself, I was continually surprised with how I looked and very disappointed in myself.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I saw a picture of myself from one of my kid’s birthday parties. I didn’t like what I saw, and I knew that I wasn’t setting a good example for my children either. I knew it was time for a change. Whenever I focused on “getting in shape,” I would focus on working out. I would go to the gym a few days for a couple of weeks, but it would quickly taper off. My sister told me about a friend of hers doing a free one-week challenge with a meal plan. I figured why not? There were two things this challenge did that really inspired me to keep going. First, there were other people doing it, and even if I didn’t see them, I knew they were there to keep me accountable. Second, the meal plan that my Coach gave us. It was great! I liked the meals, my husband liked the meals, and my kids sorta liked the meals (they were two and five so it goes with the territory!). This one-week challenge gave me a starting point and inspired me to keep moving forward.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
I think my biggest challenge was staying consistent and having someone to keep me accountable. I would start a week working out, and then end up working out only one or two days. I would say to myself, “Oh I’ll just start next week,” and then eat horribly over the weekend. The Challenge Groups that I have been a part of and continue to participate in have been key. It is the accountability! My Coach has been great and hosts groups every month. I now join whether or not I have a “busy” month ahead of me. Posting updates daily, and hearing about other people’s struggles and successes keeps me going!

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I started with PiYo and that was great, because I was worried about my knees and injuring myself. I really enjoyed Chalene. I could see my strength and flexibility improving. Next, I did 21 Day Fix. I think this was a game-changer for me with the meal plan. I now think in red, green, purple, yellow, blue, and orange. Plus, I enjoy lifting weights, so I got to incorporate a little of that into my weekly routine as well. Finally, 21 Day Fix EXTREME. I will be honest, I was really nervous to go EXTREME. I think my most dramatic results were from the three weeks of 21DFX, and I didn’t injure myself! I really loved the new physical challenges each program gave me, and I am really looking forward to The Master’s Hammer and Chisel.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
Between the start of PiYo and finishing 21DFX (about an eight-month period), I lost just under 60 pounds and a total of 36.75 inches. I went from a tight size 16 to a comfortable size 10 in pants. I am proud of the weight I have lost and going from a size 16 to size 10. I am also stronger and more toned. My face has changed so dramatically that people I haven’t seen for a while don’t recognize me. I think that what I am most proud of is that I am inspiring people to make changes in their life and try some of the programs that have helped me be successful.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
There are small daily things, like I bring my lunch to work every day, I eat way more fruits and vegetables, and I typically get up before my alarm goes off. I am more concerned about what my children are consuming and how much sugar they are eating. I look forward to the next challenge and the next Beachbody program I can try. Most importantly, I have better control over my eating habits, and I feel confident that I have the tools in place to not go back to the place I started from a year 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 Groups were an essential component of my success. We would check in daily with our workouts and how our meal plan went that day. Erika always posted first thing in the morning, so that helped motivate me to get my workouts done first thing.

How did your Team Beachbody Coach support you on your journey?
Erika is always available to answer questions. She provides tips for success, new recipes, and nutritional information. I really don’t think I would have been as successful without having her as my Beachbody Coach.

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, ordigestion/regularity?
I love my chocolate Shakeology! I was a little skeptical at first, but now I am hooked. It makes my mornings easier, and I get in a little chocolate boost. I don’t think I have gotten sick since I started Shakeology!⁺ I’m actually afraid to not take it, and take a mini-blender and my Shakeology with me when we go on vacation.

How did a Beachbody supplement, nutritional product, or program affect any existing health conditions you have?
I did not have any significant health conditions prior to starting Shakeology and the programs I’ve tried. The only thing I can say is that my BMI went from obese to within the normal range.⁺ So that puts me at decreased risk for a multitude of health conditions.⁺

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.

⁺These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Beachbody products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.