About Me

Yogi * Beachbody Coach * Career Woman * Nutrition Fanatic

Hi!

All through grade, middle and high school, I was much bigger than the other kids. It was always something I struggled with and I never good get a hold of it. Now, I was crazy active. Softball, basketball and track. I ran so many suicides, so many full courts, back and forth and still carried the weight. Come Senior year, I knew that I would need to lead my team and I knew I couldn't do it at the weight I was, I needed to lead by example. So, with the help of my sister and my best friend by myside, we both lost all of our weight just in time for Senior year. My total was 60lbs! No sob story here. 

This is my 'Wake-Up' call picture. 
WARNING: Your head is lying and 
your clothes are telling the truth. 

Then came college and "real life" and 10 years after I lost all the weight, half of it was back on. NO!!! How did I let that happen?!

Born and raised in New Orleans, my career took me to Dallas, Memphis and Minneapolis for just about 6 years. While I loved living in new cities, creating new friendships, new connections with different cultures and building my career with a great company, I missed my family and my city. Thankfully, just a year ago, I got the wonderful opportunity to move BACK HOME to New Orleans and to my family, all while keeping my job. I was over-joyed and beyond filled with gratitude.

I was able to keep 50 of those pounds off for 10+ years, but that came with a yo-yo of up 10 pounds, down 10 pounds. The back and forth was exhausting and mentally draining. Moving back home to the decadence of New Orleans was the catalyst that finally drove my yo-yo out to an additional 10 pounds and all of a sudden, 6 months home, I had lost myself. It took the picture below to finally snap myself out of my own brainwash to realize that I needed to make a change. 

Shakeology Coming up

On January 1st, I started my first challenge group with Marlena. I ordered my P90x3 program and chocolate vegan Shakeology. Super skeptical about the shakeology, I ordered it thinking that it would be a one time thing as 'WOW' was it expensive. I immediately was hooked and surprised at how full it helped me feel as well as how well it helped me fight cravings giving me the ability to say 'no' to those normal temptations. In 60 days, I had lost 18 pounds and 20 inches. I was so proud and finally felt like myself again. 

Then comes PiYo! Talk about a changer for me. I immediately joined my third challenge group and was committed to see it ALL the way through. Day 30 had me down 5 pounds. Those five pounds were the plateau pounds that I haven't broken through in 5 years. I wore a bikini for the first time in 10 years... yes 10 YEARS and am feeling more confident than I have ever felt. 

Challenge groups held me accountable! 

I've learned through this whole journey that it take commitment and determination to see changes. While I am still on my journey, I want to share that passion I have for nutrition and fitness with YOU. I struggle to stay on track, cheat at times, and skip workouts. BUT each day I wake up and CHOSE to continue, CHOSE to press play, CHOSE to eat clean and CHOSE to be a better ME. 

Let's build a healthier life together. 

When I am not working my full time job, running a yoga studio in the evening, or working out, you will find me with my family. They are where I find passion and purpose. I also love to CREATE! Sewing a new dress for the little girls in my life is where I have found my 'niche'. Oh, and I love to cook healthy, nutritious meals. 

Thanks for reading my 'about me' bio. I hope that you can take some inspiration and guidance from this blog to help you live and build a healthy, nutritious life for you and your family! Email me at jennifergunnell@gmail.com or facebook message me (Jen Gunnell) and get your before and after started today!