Weight loss isn't a behavior, it's an outcome.
An outcome that can happen for a million different reasons.
Some of the most common ones?
-Death
-Divorce
-Cancer
-Stress
-Autoimmune Disorders
-Undernourishment (purposeful or not)
-Depression
Less common reasons for weight loss:
-Seeing a therapist
-Increasing your vegetable intake
-Exercising more
-Getting more sleep
Healing your disordered eating
Research has continually proven there is no safe, sustainable way to lose weight. And those that DO lose weight intentionally, 80% plus will regain that weight and more within 2 years.
And that lose/gain cycle is more harmful to a person’s health- everything from an increase in heart disease to a higher mortality rate overall- than just staying the same weight.
If you're privileged enough to do so, you can change your habits to improve your health- like the ones listed above.
But weight loss?
Not a healthy habit you can create.
And more often than not, it's an outcome you have no control over.
What does weighing yourself do for you?
Your weight can fluctuate from 5-8 pounds EVERY DAY for just some of these reasons:
Your body retains water after a workout to help repair muscle damage
For every one gram of carbs you eat for energy, a lower risk of cardiac diseases and production of healthy gut bacteria (among other things), you retain 3 grams of water
The medicine you take that makes your life infinitely better may cause you to either retain water OR change how your body absorbs and stores glucose
When you drink an excessive amount of alcohol, you weigh less- since alcohol is a diuretic- until your body starts retaining water from the foods and drinks you consumed in your drunken state
For many of of us, stepping on the scale works to reinforce the idea that we can and SHOULD have control over that number.
And so often that number determines not only how our day goes, but how we feel about ourselves, our value.
Whatever your relationship is with your scale, it’s always worth asking yourself if using it to...
Not being on a diet can be a lonely place.
Friend and family can be the worst offenders when you’re done with diets and want support.
If I had a dime for every person who told me about their loved ones who ‘didn’t get’ them not dieting anymore, well…I’d have a LOT of dimes.
The casual way in which people share their diet tricks and offhand comments about how ‘bad’ they were for eating the brownies last night can be overwhelming sometimes.
And can make you feel like you’re the only one who isn’t avoiding gluten or carbs.
Diet culture and the ‘wellness’ industry is LOUD. And EVERYWHERE. And no one is unaffected by it.
Not even those closest to you.
Three ways to offset these messages…
Diversify your media. Do you see people of all shapes & sizes doing the things, or is your view of health on your screen presented by mostly thin, white humans? No judgement; there’s a huge lack of diversity when it comes to the wellness industry and who gets a...
The racist roots of the diet industry.
There's a history behind how you feel about your body shape and size.
I’m white, thin, non disabled, & cis gender- and those are just a few of the many privileges I have that must be acknowledged to be an effective coach who works with humans. Period.
And I continue to learn from people of color with lived experiences and knowledge in this field- and you should too.
So here’s just a quick synopsis of why I coach the way I do, and a list of resources at the bottom. The more education you have, the easier it is to see how racism and fitness are linked to each other ...
Why do we idealize thinness?
A big part of it stems from the 1800’s, when white European men felt they needed to create a bullshit evolutionary hierarchy to place themselves at the top. So they ranked people according to physical traits and catalogued them to fit their narrative.
These men decided that fatness was a sign of ‘savagery’- only because it was a trait they were seeing...
When you feel like the only one not on a diet...
Friend and family can be the worst offenders when you’re done with diets and want support.
If I had a dime for every person who told me about their loved ones who ‘didn’t get’ them not dieting anymore, well…I’d have a LOT of dimes.
The casual way in which people share their diet tricks and offhand comments about how ‘bad’ they were for eating the brownies last night can be overwhelming sometimes.
And can make you feel like you’re the only one who isn’t avoiding gluten or carbs.
Diet culture and the ‘wellness’ industry is LOUD. And EVERYWHERE. And no one is unaffected by it.
Not even those closest to you.
Some ways to offset these messages?
Diversify your social media feed. Do you see people of all shapes & sizes doing the things, or is your view of health on your screen presented by mostly thin, white humans? No judgement;...
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.
