Mark Beaton of Ohio —  Mark Beaton has always wanted more from life, and has expected more from himself. So when he realized he had gotten out of shape at the age of 45, he understood that a lifestyle change wasn’t just valuable for cosmetic reasons—it might add vital years to his life. “I wanted to see how high ‘high’ was, and the Body-for-LIFE Challenge provided me the vehicle to do so,” Mark writes. “I have a wife and two young children, and I want as much time with them as God will grant me.” The transformation wouldn’t be easy, however. As a business owner, Mark works an average of 70 hours per week. Instead of using his schedule as an excuse not to work out, Mark simply adapted to the obstacles in the way. “The fact that I work so many hours required that I go to my health club at 5:00 a.m., and then return to the club in the evenings to do abdominal and cardio work,” writes Mark. His willingness to meet obstacles head on was an important factor in his overall success. Soon enough, his body changed, his energy skyrocketed and his attitude reflected the benefits of better health. In the end, Mark lost a whopping 59 pounds of fat and his waist shrunk from 44 inches to 32 inches. “Since completing the Challenge, I feel more energetic and enthusiastic,” Mark writes. “With the exercise and eating tips I’ve learned, I hope to improve my physique even more over time.”

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