Health
How a California Couple Shed 90 Pounds
Health Points
- Consistent exercise and mindful eating turned their health around.
- Personalized support from trainers boosted their motivation and results.
- Small daily food choices led to major lifestyle shifts.
Nathan Arreola and Christina Dains, once reliant on fast food and sedentary routines, began noticing troubling health issues in their twenties. From persistent migraines to constant fatigue, both struggled with daily discomfort and a lack of energy.
As their health declined, both knew change was needed. For Dains, weighing 170 pounds brought knee pain, asthma, and anxiety, while Arreola faced prediabetes, high blood pressure, and an inability to complete physical exams.
“You could see the imprints,” Dains shared, reflecting on their couch-bound weekends.
Both were frustrated by cloudy thinking and a struggle to stay active. “Sometimes when I was talking, I couldn’t think of what I was going to say next, and it felt cloudy,” explained Dains.
Now, Dains is 40 pounds lighter and Arreola is down 50 pounds, both enjoying increased strength and energy. Their journey began with joining a gym for personalized support and accountability.
They realized working with trainers was key after initial setbacks in injury and motivation. The couple committed to three trainer-led workouts each week and focused on nutrition guidance tailored to their needs.
“Even though I was trying hard to go to the gym and eat well, I kept injuring myself. I would get shin splints and my knee would hurt, which would derail my efforts,” Dains said.
Arreola found weightlifting more difficult than expected and felt humbled by the experience. “It was humbling the first day. I couldn’t even finish my first session. I was on my knees,” he recalled.
The couple learned to track and weigh their food, which shed light on unhealthy eating habits and encouraged better choices. Dains admitted tracking was a challenge at first, but persistence brought results.
“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. Some things had to be taken out of my diet, and that was hard,” said Dains.
Arreola, meanwhile, discovered a new appreciation for mindful eating. “You never know how much you’re eating unless you’re tracking it. My past self would have found it hard to believe I would be into something like this, but I love it,” Arreola said.
They streamlined their meals, focused on whole foods, and limited processed ingredients. Planning ahead and preparing food together helped them stay consistent, even when social events posed a challenge.
Strategies like bringing snacks, eating beforehand, or leaving gatherings early helped them stick to their plan while still enjoying time with friends.
Dains now enjoys life free from knee pain, migraines, fatigue, and anxiety. “I used to be constantly tired. Now, I have energy and I don’t depend on caffeine to stay awake during the day,” she said.
If you’re looking for motivation to start your wellness journey, Nathan and Christina’s story demonstrates that with the right support and small, sustainable changes, big results are possible at any age.
