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...
What does non diet fitness coaching look like?
If you've ever wondered what kind of experience an anti diet fitness coach provides, I got you.
When we work together, I do:
Meet you right where you’re at, and build programs that are progressive, challenging, and specific to your goals and needs
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
Check in via text and phone each week to dig deeper on ANY issue shared that’s affecting your health
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-education without rules)
Support your journey with Intuitive Eating
Things I DON’T do when we work together:
Take measurements, weight, or ask for before or after pics
Put you on a meal ‘plan’ or ‘program’
Teach you hacks to...
A peek inside the KB Collabs program.
The current 4 month block that my group folks are working through is focused on both POWER and BALANCE.
We're in the first month- and we starting off strong as we always do.
Because even though this is a non diet training program, that doesn't means we don't train hard.
It's just our focus is different.
We honor not just our food needs and desires, but our energy and mental health needs.
All without focusing on aesthetics or changing the magic that is our unique selves.
And we always have a purpose and a goal.
It just doesn't have anything to do with how we look, and everything to do with how we feel.
DOORS OPEN AGAIN IN MAY 2023. QUESTIONS? Email me at: [email protected]
Sharing a swing variation- 2 of 3 that we worked on this month- that builds power, strength, and works on balance.
The second variation that you see adds some glute and quad strength, while opening up that hip and increasing range of motion in your ankles.
Want...
Having a six pack doesn't say much about your strength.
If anything you might be LESS strong for having them…
For most of us, to maintain one means to keep your calorie count very low- and that’s leaves you with little energy to expend.
Being thin doesn’t mean you can squat without pain, or have strength to pull up flooring and drywall for hours if say, your house floods unexpectedly.
Listen, I get why body goals are a thing.
We all know society values thinness- and looking a certain way means you’re treated a certain way (a whole topic for another day).
And.
If your entire reason for exercise is to get ready for swimsuit season- to burn off your calories and put your body into a ‘shape’- you’re missing out on the real value of the work you’re putting in.
And you’re confusing what a body looks like with what it’s capable of.
If you want to know what it’s like to work with a coach who knows the difference, I’ve got spots open for one on one coaching....
If soreness is the goal, you're missing the point.
Being sore after a workout is a sign that you're doing something new, moving in a different way, or you've increased your weight...and that your body hasn't adapted to the movements you're doing.
The actual point of exercising?
To ADAPT TO THE MOVEMENTS YOU'RE DOING.
And if you're constantly switching up your workouts, your body is constantly being challenged by something new.
If you're being challenged with something new every workout, you won't get the opportunity to get good at the thing, to adapt.
I say all this as someone who chased soreness for years- and who taught fitness to others who also wanted the satisfaction they felt leaving a class completely spent.
And yes, I still love to be challenged. By how heavy a weight is to move, by moving it in a challenging way, and by feeling my heart beat hard and fast.
But now, I understand how it all works.
And my assignment has changed.
One that doesn't involve pushing myself in my workout so much that I have nothing...
Is it 'fun', or is it harmful?
To be clear, I absolutely took part in and promoted these type of workouts at the beginning of my career as a coach.
It was heavily modeled at just about every gym I worked at (and anywhere you get your fitness).
And I understand the intention- making fitness fun .
Yet the impact of these workouts- associating fitness as a means to ‘make up for’ food- is more harmful than the workouts are entertaining.
The diet industry LOVES this time of year, and they have a script the follow…
It’s starts off by warning you of the dangers of the holiday season, sells you on meal and workout plans to keep you ‘in check’, and then REALLY dials in come January.
That’s when they capitalize off off of making you feel shitty for enjoying your grandmother’s pie or taking some time off your workouts.
SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER AS YOU SEE SHIT LIKE THIS IN YOUR FEED. Candy references soon to replaced by turkey, mashed potatoes, cobblers, etc...
FITNESS IS A LONG GAME....
Weight is not a behavior.
Or is it because we live in a society that is deeply rooted in anti-fat bias? A post for another day…
I’ve said it before and you know I’ll say it again: weight loss (or gain) is not a behavior, it is an outcome. For a large variety of reasons- that is ALSO for another day.
So often, weighing less is given credit for a whole lot of things it shouldn’t be given- like our health, our importance in society, our happiness.
So before you feel a way after hearing someone’s ‘successful’ weight loss story (reminder that you have no idea how they really achieved said weight loss), consider that there are things you can do that will make you feel better too.
Get more sleep. Eat nutrient dense foods and get exercise if you have the access and privilege. Get outside more. Connect with friends. See a therapist.
And remember that weight loss doesn’t have to be a part of that equation in order for you to feel better.
Exercising to exhaustion isn't a sign of a good workout.
Water and food. You need plenty of both to swing and lift heavy shit.
If you have to drag yourself off the floor after your workout, there’s a good chance you need to be better hydrated and energized (in the form of calories).
Yes, there’s a number of other reasons why a workout would be tough- from sleep to stress and all things in between.
But water and food? A great place to start.
And in my nearly two decades as a coach, it’s one of the most common reasons I see.
Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one.
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.
