172. How Kristen Lost 40 Pounds and Changed Her Life as a Busy Mom

In this episode of the Chris Gates Fitness Podcast, I sit down with my client Kristen (“Kri”) to talk about her incredible health and fitness journey. Kri is a busy mom of two who has lost around 40 pounds, taken more than 6 inches off her waist, built muscle, and completely changed the way she approaches her health. But what makes her story so powerful is not just the weight she has lost. It is the way she has shifted from crash dieting, excessive cardio, and all-or-nothing thinking into a more sustainable lifestyle built around strength training, higher-protein eating, consistency, and patience. If you are a busy parent who feels stuck in the cycle of starting over, trying random diets, or wondering whether lasting change is actually possible, this conversation will show you that it is! Kri’s story is a great reminder that real progress does not come from punishing yourself. It comes from building habits you can actually sustain. If this episode resonates with you, be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and check out the links below to learn more about my coaching program. ---------- Learn about 1-on-1 online fitness coaching » https://chrisgatesfitness.com/coaching/ ---------- 0:00 - Introduction & Episode Overview 1:16 - Meet Kristen (Cree): Background & Family 2:18 - How Dan & Cree Became a Health & Fitness Power Couple 4:37 - The Power of Family Support in Their Journey 5:30 - Previous Weight Loss Attempts & Diet Culture Struggles 7:29 - Past Diets: Whole 30, Running, & Calorie Restriction 8:30 - Running Half Marathons & Cardio-Only Approach 11:05 - Fitness Before Kids vs. After Having Children 14:07 - Mindset Shift: From Punishment to Longevity 15:28 - Treating Celebrations as Celebrations (Not Every Tuesday) 17:58 - Breaking Free from "All or Nothing" Thinking 18:35 - The Importance of Discipline & Supporting Each Other 20:36 - Accountability: The True Difference Maker 22:36 - Understanding Weight Fluctuations & Building Muscle 26:48 - Impact on Life as a Mom: Energy & Presence 28:30 - Confidence in Photos & Family Memories 31:12 - Professional Life: Focus & Productivity at Work 33:13 - Travel Tips: Planning Ahead & Using AI for Nutrition 37:27 - Working from Home: Managing Food & Staying on Track 39:30 - Introduction to Strength Training 44:02 - Tracking Progress & Taking Proper Rest Periods 46:26 - Prioritizing Yourself as a Mom (Final Thoughts)