What does a non diet fitness trainer actually do?

In the early days of my training career, I sold body dreams. 

I truly believed that I was helping people live a healthier life, that losing weight was the answer.

Because that’s what I was taught as a new trainer- a new trainer who had long recovered from both anorexia and bulimia, but was in the throes of living a ‘clean’ lifestyle.

Because surely that’s what it means to be healthy, right?

Fast forward many years later- and tons of psychological therapy, experiences coaching hundreds of human bodies, and an un-education in fitness- and I now know how to support humans in their health.

Through all this, I can admit what other trainers won’t, because they are either in a disordered relationship with their own food and fitness, they’re happy making money off your 'failures', or they haven't educated themselves on the methods they sell; diets don’t work, weight loss isn’t health, and there’s a LOT of misinformation when it comes to the subject of wellness.

So let’s get into it.

What is a non diet trainer anyway?

The anti diet movement and the push back against diet culture has become more and more popular in the last few years.

There’s a lot of reasons for it, but the two biggest reasons are:

1. People (women especially) are tired of dieting and realizing that weight loss doesn’t actually make them happy, and
2. There’s more researched back information and awareness of the intersection of systemic inequalities, the science of weight loss, and society's definition of health.

 Let’s talk about my THREE GUIDING PRINCIPLES as a non diet fitness trainer.

ONE: Gaining Fitness and Intentional Weight Loss are Two Different Things.

When people think of ‘getting healthy’, the first thing that comes to mind for many?  DIET AND EXERCISE.  And yet- almost all of the diet plans ever in existance are based around calorie restriction, just wrapped up in a different package.

Keto? Cut out carbs.

Paleo? No grains or dairy (and a bunch of other yummy things)

Intermittent Fasting? Don’t eat during certain time frames.

Macro Counting? Limit your carbs, proteins, and fats to a daily number.

Calorie counting? Limit your overall calories to a daily number.

I could go on... but you get it.

No matter what the diet is, it’s all based on what you CAN’T have- how much, when, or what kind. And whether it’s stated outright or not, they all have weight loss as the goal (because of course, thin means healthy in the diet world).

What’s one of the biggest predictors of weight gain? Yup, going on a diet.

And what’s one of the biggest predictors for developing disordered eating?  Yup, going on a diet.

Since I’m in the business of getting people healthy by measurable means, I know that focusing on restriction- especially in conjunction with an exercise plan- is a recipe for trouble.

So when it comes to health, I’ve done my research, (and like almost all non diet trainers, have had their own failed experiences with dieting or Eating Disorders), consider a person's relationship to food as being just as important as what someone eats, and focus on proven methods to improve fitness.

And my coaching experience has shown me over and over again that  people of ANY size can get strong, gain mobility, and do all the things that straight sized people can do. 

We’re just mostly shown thin people doing the things in media and marketing.  And that’s on the culture of the fitness industry that’s rooted in both racism and anti-fat bias. 

TWO: Exercise shouldn't be a thing you have to do, but a thing you get to do.

 The main messages around exercise are almost always about punishment or shame. 

Some ‘motivational’ quotes I’ve come across recently- maybe you have too….

“Be stronger than your excuses”

“You won’t get the sexy ass you want by sitting on it”

“Do it for the after selfie”

“Push yourself because no one else is going to do it”

“The only bad workout is the one you didn’t do”

And on and on and on…

And while quotes like that may seem harmless on face value, it’s the underlying message;  you aren’t doing it right if you’re not suffering, you aren’t good and worthy as you are right now, you’re just lazy if you can’t keep up.

Shame may seem like an effective motivator, but the truth is, it implies pain and suffering if you don’t do the thing.  And over time, that leads to feelings of not being good enough, or feeling like there’s something wrong with you if you can’t do it.  

It correlates exercise with a whole host of bad feelings and negative emotions.

And almost always prevents exercise from being a sustainable and enjoyable part of your life.

THREE: Diet and Exercise are just two pieces of a 300 piece puzzle.

 The fitness industry loves to sell diet and exercise as the answer to everything.

They sell unscientific training methods because it sounds sexy, diets that are financially inaccessible  to most and unsustainable for nearly all, and tell you that you are responsible for your health and what your body looks like.

And to a degree- albeit, a small one- they’re right.

But the truth is, your health is made up of MANY more things you can’t actually control.

And your body shape and size?  Research has continually shown that genetics determine up to 80% of what your body looks like.

But since we've already determined that health isn’t a size, let’s look at some of the other pieces of health that aren’t typically discussed.

Social Determinants of Health- those things that are often determined by systemic inequalities- make up a LARGE portion of how well you are.

The things you personally do to improve your health?  Not so much.

So no, I’m not going to ignore the things that shouldn’t be ignored.  And I won’t perpetuate the idea that if you don’t workout or eat your vegetables, it’s your fault you’re not reaching your goals.  There’s a lot more to it- and to living a higher quality of life- than to narrow it down to those two things.

SO WHAT  DO I DO AS A NON DIET TRAINER AND INTUITIVE EATING FACILITATOR? 

I won’t ever shame you for being on a diet, or wanting to lose weight- I get it, I live here too.  And I fully believe in body autonomy- you do what’s best for you.

But…

If you’re looking for a training program that does something different, here are the ways I can help, and the action items we’ll do together:

•  Meet you right where you’re at, and build programs that are progressive, challenging, and specific to your goals and needs (for one on one, general strength and mobility for my group program)
• -Support your development of a regular exercise routine, but also honoring the rest you need
• -Break down your ‘why’ for exercising and get clear on the way diet culture has shaped your relationship with movement
• Provide feedback on form and proper exercise technique
• Give you support in gentle nutrition if you need it (what’s what when it comes to fat, fiber, protein, pre and post workout- education without rules)
• Support your journey with Intuitive Eating or other method that's aligned with your needs to get off the diet train

My one on one and group programs open several times through the year, and all utilize the same training program I developed, call the SMD Training System.  Spots opening in fall/winter 2023.