The harm that comes with praising weight loss.
Let's say someone in your family is working really hard to develop healthy habits. They've started exercising, they've been adding more vegetables to their diet, they've created more boundaries in their lives to support their mental health.
And they've lost weight.
Whether that weight loss was intentional- or a product of less stress, moving more, less calorie intake- here's what we've known about weight loss.
Here's one weight loss study of MANY that show that the long term success rate of weight loss is low. 2 years later many will regain, 5 years most will regain all if not more than what they weighed in the beginning.
Even if you've never gone through a 'weight loss transformation' yourself, I bet you can imagine how awful it would feel to get praise and validation on your health journey in terms of how your body looks, only to regain that weight back down the line.
In addition, you never really know how someone lost that weight- no matter what they decide to tell you about it.
Harmful behaviors- like obsessing about every calorie consumed or missing family events to stay 'on track'- aren't typical conversation pieces.
(And if we're looking from a societal view, praising weight loss perpetuates the idea that health has a look, and that fat people don't have it- playing right into anti fat bias- but you already knew that ;-).
So no, I don't think it's helpful to comment on anyone's body at any time. But that doesn't mean you can't offer supportive words!
Supporting them on changing habits they felt were harmful, putting themselves on their priority list, acknowledging how hard they're working to do those things- all much better alternatives then focusing on something that they have much less control over.
Author
Gretchen
Coach
Growing up I was a half-hearted athlete who struggled with my relationship with both food and exercise. I smoked for over a decade and spent much of my youth either binging or not eating at all. But after breaking my leg in a car accident, months of physical rehab and years of psychological counseling lead me to a renewed appreciation for my health and my ability to just move-something I'll never take for granted again. I overcame a lot and have spent much of my life sharing what I've learned. I became a NASM personal trainer over 16 years ago. The type of clients I've trained and my own personal interests lead me to attain many other certifications. These include Sports Specific and Orthopedic exercise specializations, Pre and Post Natal exercise, MMA conditioning, and ACE Mind Body Specializations. I've taken 2 TRX qualifying courses in general and functional fitness. I am Kettlebell certified through both NETA and Kettlebell Kings, also completing an independent study facilitated by Steve Cotter, founder of the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation. I am also a certified Animal Flow Instructor. In the fall of 2021, I became a Certified Intuitive Eating Facilitator, as IE was integral to my own ability to divest from diet culture. I think this was the missing piece to be able to put together a holistic, meaningful training program for all my clients.
