While it may seem like everyone is turning to GLP-1 medications to drop weight these days, one Los Angeles couple took a different path when realizing that their unhealthy lifestyle had gotten out of control.
In an interview with Today, the couple shared why and how they decided to put in the hard work, which led to them losing a combined total of 90 pounds.
Nathan Arreola, 28, and Christina Dains, 30, told Today that they had been relying on the food trucks Los Angeles is known for and not getting much exercise, when they began to notice they were having health problems, despite the fact that they were only in their 20s at the time.
Arreola first decided to make a change when he was unable to pass physical exams to become a law enforcement officer.
In an effort to jumpstart his health journey, he signed up at an Ultimate Performance location near the couple’s home, and soon after Dains followed his lead. However, she initially struggled with the new workout regimen.
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“Even though I was trying hard to go to the gym and eat well, I kept injuring myself,” she told Today. “I would get shin splints and my knee would hurt, which would derail my efforts. That led to a mindset that if I wasn’t going to the gym, what was the point of eating well? I told Nathan I needed a trainer.”
The couple signed up for a personalized training program, which allowed them to workout with a trainer three times per week in addition to nutritional guidance. This helped teach them how to improve their eating habits, and soon they started tracking their calories.
“Tracking food was hard for me at first, because I wasn’t used to it and didn’t know the amounts I should be eating,” Dains explained. “Some things had to be taken out of my diet, and that was hard.”
Since they embarked on their lifestyle changes, Arreola has lost 50 pounds and Dains has lost 40. The couple also shared some common sense nutrition tips that helped them lose the weight and keep it off.
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When they kickstarted their diet, Arreola and Dains had salad for dinner every night for the first three months, Today reports. Now they stick to whole foods such as eggs, chicken, rice, and vegetables. They also cut back significantly on snacking, and avoid processed foods with additives, gums, and sunflower oils.
The couple also started limiting their alcohol intake, and stopped going to bars. When they do socialize, they make sure to eat beforehand or bring their own food or drinks. They’ll also leave a social event on the earlier side so they’re not tempted by sweets or alcohol, they told Today.
Most experts agree that when starting on a health journey, it’s best to set small, achievable goals and keep your goals in mind to stay motivated—whether it be for health reasons or to look or feel better. Habits like mindful eating, regular exercise, and proper hydration are also crucial for longterm success.
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For anyone struggling to stay on track, the Mayo Clinic offers common sense tips such as avoiding skipping meals, maintaining your protein intake, to enjoy a wide range of different foods, and to weigh yourself once per week. Also, don’t beat yourself up if you have a minor setback, as one meal won’t “make or break” a diet.
“We are on the same page about maintaining this new lifestyle, whether it’s in the gym or our day-to-day life,” Arreola added to Today. “If either of us has questions about adjusting calories or losing weight, we sit down, discuss it and think about what to do. It has brought us closer.”
