Chandra lost 27 pounds

Chandra lost 27 pounds. She was tired of feeling depressed, lethargic, and sluggish. This Zeta Phi Beta soror wants to be healthy so that she can love and care for her four children for years to come. In May 2020, she reached out to a weight loss coach for guidance on nutrition and exercise.

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going when you wanted to give up?  
I have hypertension and was labeled as obese. I knew I had to make changes to be around to love on my four kids, ages 7-21, for as long as I can. 

My first motivation was to get a better body by my Sorority’s centennial celebration in the summer of 2020. Then Covid-19 forced us all inside. For three weeks, I felt so lethargic and sluggish. It was depressing. Walking outside was not enough. Then, I saw some pictures of women and men that Terry Starks helped to transform. I was inspired to contact him and get some help to reach my own goals.  

How did you change your eating habits?
“The Diet Doctor” Terry Starks understands the body’s physiology and how to build muscle and reduce fats in trouble areas. He showed me the benefits of eating smaller, more frequent meals and building up my time doing cardio exercises to burn calories longer. 

I stopped eating snack foods, cut out sodas, and made sure I was drinking over 70 ounces of water per day. If I drank juice, I had to drink water afterward. I cut out candy and sweets to get my body used to the new meals. I also only ate bacon on certain days. Terry Starks encouraged me to try the different types of “rice” on the market, like cauliflower rice or brown rice, to see which one I preferred because I don’t like rice.

What did your workout routine look like? How often did you workout? 
My workout routine included yoga and stretches first thing in the morning. I also used workout videos for 30-40 minutes of cardio. Terry Starks instructed me to carry some small weights during my 2-3 mile walks to increase my body’s output. 

My overall schedule is not the same each day. However, I was determined to get my cardio in, whether that meant walking up and down the stairs in my home or having a dance-off with my kids for 30-60 minutes. Working out at least twice a day helped with my posture and gave me the stamina to walk longer and on more challenging inclines in the neighborhood and parks.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 252 pounds, and now I am down to 225 pounds. There is a noticeable difference in how my clothes fit and how I look in the mirror without them.

What is your height?
My height is 5 feet, 8 inches, and my kids say I look taller now.

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I started working with Terry Starks and following the planned meals on May 1st, 2020. I could see a difference by my birthday on June 1st. It took five weeks to get down 27 pounds. I was very surprised and proud of the results.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No surgery for me, especially not during the pandemic.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I learned is that I have to eat more to lose pounds. Smaller sensible meals and water will keep you moving to get the results.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
It takes time and energy and more time and energy to get the weight off and build up the muscle (just like Terry Starks said it would happen). 

Instagram: @cbowens93au