From Overwhelmed to Inspired: April Adkins' Transformation in the Shortcut to Shred Challenge
How a widowed mother of five lost 15 pounds in 6 weeks with the Shortcut to Shred Challenge.
For April Adkins, being a widowed mother of five children was not just emotionally draining—it also took a toll on her health.
After years of struggling with low energy, April knew she had to take control of her well-being. “I was tired of being the ‘tired mom,’” she says. Her fitness journey began with small but significant changes. Namely, she stopped drinking sodas and made healthier food choices.
But it wasn’t until she joined the 2025 Shortcut to Shred Challenge that her transformation truly took off.
“I had been part of the JYM Army for years but never completed a program,” she recalls. “I would get upset if I missed a day and then quit, or I would feel overwhelmed and stop.”
Determined to make lasting change, April set clear goals for the challenge: lose body fat and gain muscle. She also made the decision to post daily in the JYM Army Facebook group to hold herself accountable and get extra support and motivation.
Her diligence paid off in the form of a runner-up finish in the Shortcut to Shred Challenge, just a hair behind female Grand Prize winner Amanda Day .
Consistency Over Perfection
The first obstacle April had to overcome was finding time for herself.
“As a mom, it felt selfish,” she says. “But I had to realize that taking this time for me was also benefiting them.”
Throughout the challenge, she prioritized consistency over perfection, knowing that setbacks were part of the journey. Despite challenges like staying in hotels and attending birthday parties, April continued to do her best—taking dumbbells with her on trips and getting creative with her workouts.
“I allowed myself to enjoy celebrations,” she says, “knowing I would be right back on track the next day.”
Results in Just 6 Weeks
April’s commitment to the Shortcut to Shred program paid off in a big way.
In just six weeks, she lost 15 pounds and noticed muscle definition in areas she had never seen before. “By the end of the challenge, I could definitely see muscle lines on my arms and legs,” she says. “I didn’t do a body scan, but I could tell that I had gained muscle.”
The feedback from others around her was just as rewarding. “Three weeks in, people started noticing and saying I was looking much healthier,” April says.
The results were real, and the confidence she gained from them was just as transformative.
April's Advice for Others
As she moves forward in her fitness journey, April is excited to continue building muscle with future JimStoppani.com challenges. “I’m looking to clean up my eating even more and try JYM supplements ,” she says.
For anyone considering a fitness journey, April has a simple piece of advice:
“Consistency is key,” she says. “Don’t focus on being perfect. Two steps forward and one step back is still progress. Keep going.”
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