-Have you ever tried different diet approaches to break a weight loss plateau?

-Or maybe you joined CrossFit or Orange Theory to lose weight or to overcome a stubborn weight loss plateau?

-Are you reliant on coffee to make it through the workday?

If so, you can relate to Andrea!

Read more and listen to the replay of Andrea’s real-talk weight loss journey, the health scare that sent her to the emergency room, and the trigger to finally get the help she needed to break the weight plateau once and for all!

Andrea’s Weight Loss History and Health Journey

As a Hispanic woman, rice was always a staple in meals, but Andrea felt like she was eating the same foods day after day. She was bored. On top of this, she suffered migraines for years, leading to serious side effects to long-term use of Advil, and she wanted to lower her cholesterol and her risk for high blood pressure.

Eventually, Andrea stopped exercising because she had difficulty finding the time. She tried to compensate for the lack of exercise by joining in on various “diet” approaches that co-workers were doing. While some of these “diets” helped briefly, unfortunately, she could not stick with any of them because they were too restrictive.

To top it off, Andrea was a true “stress-eater” and tended to overeat most often due to work stress. And she was very sluggish – especially in the afternoon, which made it difficult to focus on her work.

She decided to join Orange Theory and loved it – this began her weight loss journey until she hit a plateau. At this point, Andrea sought a more sustainable and permanent solution to her weight issues and health concerns.

Working with Sandra

Andrea and Sandra worked together to change her eating habits. Naturally and organically, she no longer depended on coffee throughout the day, which occurred in week #2 of following her personalized nutrition plan for Andrea.

She always ate fruits and vegetables but did not eat enough. Incorporating more natural foods, and a balanced diet with the correct portion sizes helped Andrea to become much more energetic throughout the day.

Relationship with Carbs

One of the hardest things on this journey was learning to handle carbs better, eat healthier options, and portion them correctly. Andrea grew up having rice at every meal and feeling like she had to clean her plate, which was difficult to overcome! Additionally, she found it challenging to visit and eat with her family because of the pressure to clean her plate and eat everything served. But with Sandra’s support, she overcame these challenges and eventually stood her ground and ate the way she knew was best for her body.

Migraines

About two weeks into working together, the migraines stopped, and reliance on Advil or Tylenol disappeared. Hydration increased, and eating habits changed.

Exercise

When she started at Orange Theory, Andrea went 2 to 3 days per week. Now if she could go every day, she would because she loves it, and the best part is that she can utilize her personalized nutrition plan to fuel her workouts. She now has the energy required to increase the intensity of workouts. All of this has helped her to get stronger, feel better, and to lose weight!

Sleep

Before working together, Andrea felt it was impossible to achieve 7 hours of sleep. Her work hours were difficult to manage, but despite the challenges, she was able to set some solid boundaries and finally made sleep a top priority.

Because of the constant work stress that Andrea experienced, it was challenging to make time for her self-care. However, by working with Sandra, she could finally implement a new schedule where self-care could take a high priority in her life. She became more assertive in getting her needs met at work and in her personal life by asking for what she wanted.

Andrea’s Life Now

Work schedule has balanced out more and she is getting at least 7 hours on most nights.

The visualization of being able to what was in the workbook of portion sizes and actually seeing it in real life. That really helped me.

Going through how to understand and read a label and how labels have evolved over time. That has really helped me as well continue my weight loss journey.

I felt in the beginning I got really caught up in the you have to have this many portions of vegetables, fruit and dairy and this and that, but in the end it was really all about just trying to figure out and understand how all that comes together and works together through the day and provide the right amount of calories that I needed throughout the day. That has really helped me

I have more energy than I have in years. I feel great and wake up excited to take on the day.

Andrea’s Advice to others

“If you are willing to invest in yourself, the program is an investment in yourself. Take the lessons. It has helped me. I see a difference. If there is a point where you feel like you are going to give up, I don’t think it’s worth you giving up. The program is 100% worth the investment – do it for yourself (not for anybody else).”

Andrea Collins — Orlando, Florida