Beach Body 21 Day Fix program helps social worker lose 54 pounds

HER STORY

Christine Kennedy, who played soccer, basketball and volleyball throughout high school and college (and is still an active athlete today), was never overweight until she became a mom. After three pregnancies, the last two 14 months apart, Kennedy admits she didn’t make time for herself. She was an emotional eater, working a full-time job and felt overwhelmed, stressed and sleep-deprived. Though she was exercising, nothing was changing. “I realized the only way I was going to feel better was to change something, and I knew it wasn’t going to happen overnight but could happen over time,” said Kennedy. Around that time, a girlfriend introduced her to Beach Body 21 Day Fix, a program of fitness, eating plans and protein shakes.

“My girlfriend put me in her online accountability group. I gained such strength and courage from their support,” said Kennedy. She carved out time for her workout (which her husband and kids frequently join in on now). “It’s really become a lifestyle change. I try to follow the 80/20 rule — focusing on being the healthiest I can 80 percent of the time and then allowing 20 percent of my time for life things that happen, like attending family functions or tending to one of my kids while sick,” she said. Since last May, Kennedy has been maintaining her weight and has gone down two dress sizes.

HER DIET

Breakfast is two scrambled eggs and tea. She has fruit for a midmorning snack and then eats a green salad with Craisins, goat cheese and grilled chicken, or two hard-boiled eggs for lunch. Her afternoon snack is a Shakeology super dense nutrient shake. Dinner can be grilled chicken and a vegetable. After dinner, she may have fruit with peanut butter or yogurt.

HER EXERCISE

Kennedy gets up at 5:05 a.m. weekdays and exercises for 30 minutes, doing cardio and strength lifting, Pilates or yoga. She exercises seven days a week but allows herself to sleep later on weekends.

HER ADVICE

“You don’t have to do it alone. Reach out for support. I never thought I’d be where I am today. This weight loss has opened so many doors and opportunities. Plus it’s easier for me with the kids. No more sweating profusely doing activities with them.”