First off, I have to say Thank you to Billy Blanks and Shellie from the bottom of my heart!! You helped change my life!
I was tired of being overweight. Hating how my clothes felt and fit everyday. Not loving myself. I used to be very athletic and active, I played basketball, volleyball and track in high school and even went on to play basketball in college. But after college real life began and I did not make time for myself.
My weight was out of control. My body weight was well over 200 pounds. I had to gain control! I had to do something! So I tried everything. All the fad diets, you name it, I tried it!
Finally, along with the support of my boyfriend, I began to limit my food intake and improve the quality of the food I was eating. That started my weightloss. But I hit a plateau at about 175 pounds, I had to do something more. Exercise!
I started out with a Billy Blank's sneak preview tape. It was barely 20 minutes, but my muscles felt the workout! I was determined to find myself again. I put that tape in the VCR every morning before work. Before I realized it, I was working out to that tape without even sweating... this was getting too easy. I needed something to challenge myself, so I went out and found another Billy Blanks tape. Only this one was a 60 minute advanced tape! WOW! The first morning I only worked out for 30 minutes. This was an improvement from my regular 20 minute workouts and it was a different set of moves. My muscles were back into training. I split this tape in half and did 30 minute workouts until I could increase the length of time I worked out. I was so proud of myself when I was finally able to finish the whole tape in one workout! What an accomplishment!
Billy is so positive with his coaching, I still say to myself "You've got to give something to get something", "Ask you higher power to help get you through this workout" That's when I pray to God to give me just a little more strength or endurance I need. I started learning that my mind needs to be in the right place in order to succeed.
So at this point I have made it to 160 pounds! But I needed more! I ordered the "Get Ripped" series of tapes! I was ready to step it up a notch. This was great because now I had several tapes. I started changing up my workouts for more variety and to keep my muscles working all the time! I wanted to see more results. My body was beginning to feel more compact and leaner. I started to literally see muscles that I never imagined I could see on myself. So, I continued until I reached 147 pounds! I had almost reached my goal!!! (goal 140)
I am still maintaining my new weight and my new size. It has been about 3 years now since I became "skinny". (I Never dreamed that word would exist in my vocabulary and be referring to myself!?) I went from women's size 18/20 down to a 6/8! I have never felt better!
I continue to work out for a healthy lifestyle and to keep my old pounds from sneaking back. I still have not reached that original weightloss goal, but I have now made a newer goal... 135 pounds! But again, I need an extra edge to get there. My boyfriend (now he's my fiancé :)) surprised me by ordering Billy's new BOOT CAMP series! With the Billy Bands! This is a very challenging set of DVD's! But I keep working at it... continue to challenge myself.... and keep saying "Scream Baby, if you gotta scream" "Make it burn" ..... "you're muscles are going to start changing"
I have seen some of the same people in all of the tapes and DVD's and to see their changes also helps me keep going. Shellie, you especially, keep me motivated. Your are inspiring. Your form and stamina make me want to perform better while I work out too. Thank you.
Billy's work outs are truly the best! Nothing else has ever worked for me!
It is a dream of mine to be in one of Billy's work out tapes. It would truly be an honor! That would be the ultimate reward for these past few years of change and hard work!
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