As long as I can remember, I've felt about 10 pounds away from a confident body. Whether it's making sure I bought the high waisted swimsuit to hide my tummy or wearing cardigans to cover my arm flab, I just never felt 100% confident in my own skin. After I had my first child, Libby, I gained another 20lbs and found myself feeling really unattractive and uncomfortable in my new-mom body. It was a really rough time for me emotionally, my daughter became the absolute light of my life and gave me a whole new kind of joy, but I was also exhausted all the time, and the extra weight made me feel really insecure. I knew I needed to finally find something that could help me transform my body, so I could be a confident and healthy example for my daughter growing up.

I started doing some research, but I really didn't think I could find a program that would work for me, especially since I hate going to the gym (comparing myself to all those pink sports bra wearing 20-year-olds? No thanks) and now that I had Libby I didn't have time to anyway. I was chatting with some of the other moms on my new-mom Facebook support group, and they recommended BodyBoss. It's a fitness program you can do entirely at home, without equipment, and without a fancy smart TV. It's a book that explains everything along with videos that guide you through a 12-week program of HIIT strength training exercises--intense sessions that are less than 30 minutes each day, three days a week. I looked online, and a lot of women seemed to like the BodyBoss HIIT—the High-Intensity Interval Training that gives you the #BossEffect, so you keep burning more calories even when your workouts over. They even posted before and after pictures of the amazing results they saw in a matter of weeks.

I was still hesitant; I didn't think I would have the motivation to do workouts on my own, or I would do them wrong. But, the pictures online were real, with real women just like me achieving their goals. Plus, they had a really active online community where hundreds of women help motivate and support each other as they work towards their goals. It was hard to argue with the results staring me in the face, so I decided to be brave for Libby and take the plunge. I ordered the BodyBoss Fitness Guide and poured myself a glass of wine to cheers myself for taking the first step towards transforming my body and becoming a more confident self.

The first day I tried the workout, I was really nervous. And I'm not going to lie; it was hard! I understand how HIIT workouts burn fat so rapidly because they're designed to help you make the most out of your time and really kick your butt. Even though I found the first few sessions challenging (I didn't realize how out of shape I was!), I was impressed that I had an easy time understanding exactly what I was supposed to be doing because the book used pictures to make everything really clear. After the first week, something magical happened: the workouts started getting easier. Each week I found I had more energy, was stronger, and less sore. That amazing feeling of getting a little stronger each week ended up giving me the motivation I was afraid I wouldn't have to complete the whole 12-week program. And in the first weeks when I was worried I wouldn't be good enough, I turned to the online community and they cheered me on and gave me the strength to keep going. I saw comments from these amazing women like Samantha, Mindy, and Tina, who were always sharing little tips and words of encouragement to help newbies like me. I also started joining them every Monday for the free Facebook LIVE sessions where we got tips, recipes, and answers to our questions from Kim Lyons, the top trainer from one of my favorite TV weight-loss shows, The Biggest Loser. She's a busy mom like me, and that helped so much!

After completing the 12 weeks, I lost six inches of stubborn belly fat from my waist and was four jeans sizes smaller. I was more toned and stronger than I ever had been when I used to rely on dieting and cardio, and the superfoods and recipes were so yummy, I got this whole new level of energy and confidence. Even my husband noticed and complimented me, a lot. BodyBoss really made all the difference, because they let me work out on my own time, without going to the gym. Now I don't shy away from mirrors, I don't feel like I need to keep the lights off when I'm around my hubby, and I feel like a strong woman my daughter will be proud to call Mom.

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