CLICK Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?*Growing up I was always the “big girl”. Weight has been a constant struggle for as long as I can remember. I was pretty well resigned to live with the fact that I would always be Plus Size. Some how I came to terms with that. After a terrible and disfiguring automobile accident my weight just skyrocketed. I was hit head on by a drunk driver. Eventually the pain dissipated but I was left with a grotesque keloid scar on my face. The unsightly scar left me feeling hopeless and desolate. Depression set in and my weight soared out of control. Soon my weight was even more grotesque than the scar. Because I felt so ugly and ashamed of my appearance i simply gave up on taking care of myself. Eating to end my suffering. All the while the eating only exaggerated my suffering. My weight ballooned to a staggering 457 pounds and I literally believed my life was over.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?*Though I knew something had to be done about my weight I felt my situation was completely hopeless. I had no idea where to begin and looking ahead to very long journey I just didn’t feel it was possible to accomplish any real or lasting success. Having a long family history of the disease, I knew diabetes was a strong possibility for me. I remember crying the day I was diagnosed. Crying for my situation and even more so for my future as I honestly didn’t believe change was possible. I can recall sitting in my Dr.’s office and listening to him tell me that some serious changes needed to be made or my future would be very bleak. Except he didn’t put in such mild terms.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?*Beyond the diabetes my health was fading fast. I could not walk more than a couple of blocks. My knees and joints were so bad I couldn’t manage stairs or even stepping up on a curb for that matter. At one point I even considered getting one of those electric chairs the old people use. Also my bladder was failing. This was due in part to the diabetes and also because of the weight on my bladder. I can remember the shame and humiliation of not being able to fit in booths at a restaraunt, not being able to step up on a curb. And wearing the same hideous oversized dress every day because i refused to buy more FAT clothes. To say I was unfit is really putting it mildly. I was unfit, listless and weak. My body was so weak I knew i not only needed to lose weight but i also needed to build strength and tone my body. I wasn’t very sure how I would go about doing that or even IF i would be able. One night I was up late and happened to catch a Les Mills Pump commercial on tv. The very next day

Why did you choose this particular program?I am a huge fan of the Les Mills Team! Having successfully completed Les Mills Pump with such great results it was a no brainer to try Les Mills Combat next. I love taking on new challenges. And seeing just what my body is capable of.