The Little Mental Shift that Helped Charles Chen Lose 100 Pounds

Weight loss isn’t easy—everyone can agree on that. One of the most important (and underrated) players in your weight loss success is your motivation, according to wellness chef Charles Chen.

And it’s not just how motivated you are, but where your motivation comes from. Are you eager to show off abs at the beach? Flaunt new biceps in your sleeveless tops? Fit into your jeans from 10 years ago?

“That’s the wrong approach to look at health,” says Chen. “Health is a lifestyle. It’s not just a quick fix.”

 Chen is a chef, entrepreneur, and vivacious host of the online cooking show Kitchen Hustle, where “hustlers learn how to fuel their passions.” Throughout his childhood, Chen struggled with his health. As a teenager, he was prediabetic and a self-proclaimed couch potato who had no energy or motivation to make healthier choices. After hitting what he calls his “rock bottom moment,” he reclaimed his health, lost more than 100 pounds, and now helps others fuel their “bodies, mind, and spirit starting in the kitchen.”

Chen says his secret to finding (and staying at) a healthier weight was appreciating the way better-quality food made his body feel. With this holistic approach, he didn’t feel “deprived” by the healthy foods; instead, his food choices were finally allowing him to thrive.

“It’s about baby steps,” Chen suggests. “Every single day you do something good for yourself. Add that one smoothie for a whole week and see how your body feels.”

Ready to give it a shot? Here’s Chen’s recipe for a Tropical Turmeric Smoothie for a nutritious start to the day.