Interview with Beachbody Challenge Winner Carmen O’Quinn + Giveaway

How did you hear about Beachbody and the Beachbody Challenge?

I had heard the name Beachbody several times and had seen the infomercials on TV, however I thought it was for the average person to get fit, or for someone who maybe had 10 pounds to lose, I certainly didn’t think it was for someone like me who was morbidly Obese and really out of shape.  I heard of the Beachbody Challenge through my coach, who started off also Obese and through the nutrition guide and the workout programs, as well as the entire community support got in the best shape of his life.

How many years were you overweight?  What did you find the hardest about being overweight?

Weight is something that I have struggled with ever since middle school, I was always one of the bigger girls in my school and certainly the heaviest on any of the sports teams I played on.  As I graduated high school and moved into adulthood the weight continued to slowly creep on year after year,  and one day you look in the mirror and think, how did I let it get this far?  The hardest thing about being overweight is the limitations on life, it limits the stores you shop in, the rides at a fair or amusement park, horseback riding, bungee jumping, kayaking, the playground equipment I couldn’t fit on with my two small kids saying come on mommy, play with me.  It limited life into this small little box, that over time I got used to, a small little box that eventually I knew I either would die in or break out of.

What made you want to make a change in your fitness and eating habits?

Although I was overweight, I always swore my kids NEVER would be, as I knew the crippling effects of being Obese.  One day I read an article that said kids with 1 overweight parent were twice as likely to be overweight; kids with 2 overweight parents were 2.4 times more likely to be overweight.  At that point I completely lost it, it No longer was about me, my lack of self-control and bad decisions were now going to affect my kids, and my grandkids, even my great grandkids.  Enough was enough, and it was that night I made the decision, that for my family, my kids, my husband, and myself, something had to change.

How did you first start your program?  Did you find it hard or easy? Did you enjoy it?

Once I actually MADE the decision I immediately thought of my friend, who was a coach and had lost a lot of weight using one of Beach Body’s programs, and he told me Buy this program, drink this shake once a day, and you can do it all from your house, I didn’t have to leave and drive to a gym and worry about looking silly  when all 288 pounds of me attempted to use any of the gym equipment, I was able to do it right from home and I can look as silly as I want there.

In the beginning, it was extremely hard; I weighed 288 pounds and was morbidly obese, jumping, lunging, or any “work out” movement definitely posed some issues.  However, the trainer in those Dvd’s, Tony Horton, said repeatedly “Do your best and forget the rest.”  And that’s exactly what I did, I started off with what I could do, and continued over time to do more and get better.  I lost my first 100 pounds within 202 days.  The “easy” part was beach body has a proven system that I simply had to follow, I didn’t know anything about nutrition at the time, and didn’t need to.  I just had to know how to follow directions and press play.

What programs from Beachbody did you use to help you lose the weight?  And why did you choose these products?

I started with P90X, this was the program my coach used and after seeing his results I decided to follow right in his footsteps.   After three rounds of that program, I did P90X3, a similar but shorter program, where I was able to do everything in 30 minutes a day.  Now that I was up and running and wanted to start building muscle and toning I dove into other programs like Body Beast, Hammer & Chisel, & Chalean Extreme. As a busy mom and

As a busy mom and wife I always struggled to eat a consistent breakfast, this is where Beachbody’s nutritional shake, Shakelogy came into play. It gave me the peace of mind to knowing I was getting a nutritional breakfast that was good for me and an easy on the go alternative, not to mention that it tastes amazing!

What has been the hardest part about your journey?

The hardest part was in the beginning, getting over all of my bad habits, my sweet tooth, my regular habit of driving through fast food drive-thrus while out and about, and having the mindset of a morbidly obese person.  I  had to start thinking like a strong fit mommy of two and wife far before I ever became that person.  And to stop seeing food as a reward, or something I ran to when I had a bad day.  All this didn’t mean I couldn’t eat birthday cake on my son’s birthday, but that there is a balance in everything, and I had to learn that balance.

What has been the best part about your journey?

The Freedom that I have in every area of my life!  I now get to shop in any store I want to.  I get to dress up in “cute” little outfits for date nights with my husband; life today is absolutely more than I ever imagined it could be.  I was overweight for so long, and made so many excuses, truthfully I didn’t know there was a whole other life out there that I was missing out on.   I get to be to be a good example and role model to my kids.  I know I am a better mom, wife, and human being in general because of the new life that I have today.

You look fantastic.  What do your friends and family say?

Ha, well for the ones who haven’t seen me in a while, they walk right by me, lol, as I don’t even look like the same person; it took my own mother a while to get used to the change.   But truly, I have had the absolute BEST  friends & family on the planet, they have been so supportive throughout this journey and today are so proud and in awe of where this journey has lead.

You won the grand prize of $100,000 for having the most inspirational story.  How do you plan on spending your money?

Great Question, as we have not decided where all the money is going yet, one thing we knew long before we won anything, is 10 percent of the winnings right off the top is being given to two amazing Charities that we believe in their mission and are so happy to be able to give more to them.  One of the Charities, Abba House, rescues woman and children from the sex slave, right out of brothels in Thailand and rehabilitates them fully.   It’s an incredible organization.  The other organization, King’s Ransom Foundation takes 100 percent of ALL donations and builds homes for the extreme poor around the world.  They are doing some pretty amazing things.

You are now a Beachbody Coach. Can you tell everyone what that entails and how anyone can become one if they are interested?

As a Coach, it is pretty simple, I listen to my client see what their needs are and then match them up with a program that suits their lifestyle and their schedule.  After that we help them with nutrition, challenge groups, encouragement, and just a listening ear.  It is not only about them losing the weight and reaching their goal, but equipping them with the skills to not only lose the weight, but maintain it while living a healthy happy life.  Teaching them that is doesn’t have to be hardcore or all or nothing, but it is a balance and can actually be fun.  Anyone with a desire to help others, whether you have just started on your own journey and still have weight to lose, or you have reached your goal, you are an inspiration to someone & can go to www.teambeachbody.com to find out more info on being a coach and working with this a company who truly is ALL about changing people’s lives and seeing people from all walks of life reach and attain the life they were destined for.

Is there anything you want to say to anyone who may be struggling with their fitness and overall health? Any tips or advice?

JUST KEEP GOING, the only way you are going to fail is if you quit.  Your journey is your own, and there is no exact science and NO time line.  Do not compare yourself to others, be the best YOU that you can be and at the end of the day, THAT IS ENOUGH, one day, not too far off from today you are going to wake up and be living the life that you have only dreamed of, you are ON your way!