‘I Did HIIT Workouts, Quit Drinking, And Drank Smoothies To Lose 100 Pounds’

My name is Karmen Chenelle Orr (@k_chenelle_fitness), and I am a 30-year-old certified fitness trainer and sports nutritionist in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2015, my family went through a devastating, life-changing experience when my husband was paralyzed in a hit-and-run car accident. I’d given birth to my daughter two years prior and hadn’t dropped all my baby weight.

During this traumatic time in our lives, I became depressed and started eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I wasn’t into sweets, but I ate big meals without any kind of portion control. I was also drinking alcohol daily. These unhealthy habits caused my weight to spike substantially.

When I first decided to start my weight-loss journey three years ago, I was at my highest weight of 270 pounds.My cousin took a picture of me and posted it on social media, and I did not recognize myself. I knew I had to make a change.

I started my healthy-eating plan by not even acknowledging it was a “diet” because the word has such a negative connotation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCTsyXPjhB0/

A post shared by KChenelle (@k_chenelle_fitness)

I decided to abstain from the things that I turned to the most and that hindered me from getting back to me. I made lifestyle changes, as opposed to “diet” changes, that included not consuming alcohol or sodas, and not eating rice, breads, and pork. I used healthier recipes as substitutions for less-nutritious food cravings.

I also got really into making healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies, and they became a big part of my new healthy lifestyle.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIgwxysjPL3/

A post shared by KChenelle (@k_chenelle_fitness)

Here’s what I typically eat in a day.

  • Breakfast: A fruit and veggie smoothie (berry, pineapple and spinach), two slices of turkey bacon, and one boiled egg
  • Lunch: Turkey wrap with veggies
  • Snack: Fruit and veggie smoothie, fruit, or a small handful almonds
  • Dinner: Chicken breast, steamed asparagus, and sweet potato
  • Dessert: Fruit smoothie with maca powder or chia seeds

https://www.instagram.com/p/CH_SFTwDMzC/

A post shared by KChenelle (@k_chenelle_fitness)

I purchased a gym membership and started working out right away.

I started out doing at-home workouts because I wasn’t super comfortable at the gym. Once I grew more comfortable, I went to the gym three days a week for 30 minutes a day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFia9szjcrm/

A post shared by KChenelle (@k_chenelle_fitness)

Right now, I am back to my at-home workouts, and I work out at least five times a week. I love doing HIIT (high-intensity interval training).

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJEMc1RD74B/

A post shared by KChenelle (@k_chenelle_fitness)

These three changes made the biggest difference in my weight-loss results.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGmuonpDjzV/

A post shared by KChenelle (@k_chenelle_fitness)

Overall, I lost 100 pounds naturally over the course of three years.

Embrace the journey and understand that it takes time. Weight loss is not a race. There is a lot mentally that you have to process through, but trust the process. Most of us have a goal to lose a certain amount of weight, but don’t focus on the scale. Focus on how you feel.The changes will come, but show up every day and put in the work.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF7B2pqDerD/

A post shared by KChenelle (@k_chenelle_fitness)

Source: Read Full Article