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.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Today, <\/em>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.<\/p>\n Nathan Arreola, 28, and Christina Dains, 30, told Today<\/em><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Arreola first decided to make a change when he was unable to pass physical exams to become a law enforcement officer.<\/p>\n In an effort to jumpstart his health journey, he signed up at an Ultimate Performance location near the couple\u2019s home, and soon after Dains followed his lead. However, she initially struggled with the new workout regimen.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though I was trying hard to go to the gym and eat well, I kept injuring myself,\u201d she told Today<\/em>. \u201cI would get shin splints and my knee would hurt, which would derail my efforts. That led to a mindset that if I wasn\u2019t going to the gym, what was the point of eating well? I told Nathan I needed a trainer.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cTracking food was hard for me at first, because I wasn\u2019t used to it and didn\u2019t know the amounts I should be eating,\u201d Dains explained. \u201cSome things had to be taken out of my diet, and that was hard.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019ll also leave a social event on the earlier side so they\u2019re not tempted by sweets or alcohol, they told Today.<\/p>\n Most experts agree that when starting on a health journey, it\u2019s best to set small, achievable goals and keep your goals in mind to stay motivated\u2014whether 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.<\/p>\n![\"Couple](\"https:\/\/www.lifeandstylemag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Couple-Reveal-the-Lifestyle-Changes-That-Helped-Them-Lose-Nearly-100-Pounds-1-1.jpg?fit=400%2C400&quality=86&strip=all\")
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