Positive Results by Sabrina

Why don’t you have a weight loss plan?

Simply stated:

1. I’m not a certified nutritionist. 
2. They don’t work

  Hear me out. Yes, I know plenty of people who see that arbitrary number on the scale and feel compelled to lower it. Yes, plenty of people have health conditions that mean they urgently need to lower that number. Yes, many of us know that if that number was lower, our knees and back would hurt a little less and our daily activities would be a little easier. But I’m not a doctor. I am not a nutritionist. I am an Endurance Coach. I am a mother. I am a colored woman, over 40, who has seen what the diet culture and weight loss obsession has done to people. I have read and researched and listened and studied. I’ve lived with disordered eating. I know the damage that it can do and have yet to see a long term success story from weight loss obsession. 

  I’ve heard it again and again and I believe it. Those weight loss focused plans don’t work. For the people who successfully drop the weight during that 90 day or 6 month challenge, the majority of time it comes right back. Why? Because they haven’t learned to make lasting changes. They’ve learned short term strategies. They’ve deprived themselves and sacrificed. They have not learned to eat in a sustainable way. They have not learned to listen to their bodies and fuel in a way that will allow them to feel both ‘normal’ and ‘healthy.’

Did you keep a food diary to track how you physically felt after eating certain foods?

Did you track your water and learn to properly hydrate all day long? Or did you chug water in the morning and night to meet a goal but never learn your body’s cues?

Did you deprive yourself of the foods that you enjoyed 6 days a week and then over-indulge on your ‘reward days’?

Did you learn the real effects of alcohol in your system?

Did you learn to reward yourself with things other than food?

  The very first client who signed on after I finished my 80/20 Endurance Certification said something that will always stick to me. She trusted me to help her because “we’re already professional dieters. We need someone to teach us to be professional exercisers.” She was right. Most of us have had diets, calorie counting and food shaming thrown at us our entire lives. There is always someone ready to educate you on the things you’re putting on your plate and how their diet is better for you. How many of those people are actively living the full life that you truly want to emulate? “Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t go to for advice.”

  Research has shown that setting your goals around movement and whole body health is far more effective than obsessing over how quickly you can lose that extra weight. 

“If I start running, will I lose weight?”

Maybe. Also, maybe not.

  A lot of runners do not lose weight when they’re training for something specific. Simply put, as we begin training harder and change the activities of our life to head for a race or goal, we find that our bodies need more fuel, not less. When you do it safely, you’re eating a more balanced diet before your training, to make it through the sessions. Then you’re eating protein and carbs to restore and strengthen your body after the workout. When you’re fueling and hydrating in a healthier manner, you will feel the difference in your body. A daily calorie deficit is not going to feel good as your body is changing and getting stronger. 

  What you may notice though, aside from weight loss, is your body composition is changing. This is why many of us focus on the way our clothes fit, rather than weight. We notice that there’s a little more room in our jeans. Those who enjoy shopping may get excited because their workout clothes are now too big and they get to go buy something new. 

  More importantly, we notice that those chronic pains are dissipating. If you’re following a balanced plan that includes cardio, strength, yoga, pilates and/or cross training, you realize that you’re strengthening everything from your brain to your toes and your body is appreciative. Those grocery runs are getting easier. Farmers hold vs grocery bag hold. IYKYK. Your body doesn’t scream out in protest as you lift your child. We notice that we have more energy without the extra cups of coffee. We notice that our mood is shifting. We feel less stressed. We have more mental clarity. We’re excited to tackle activities. We’re sleeping better and actually feeling refreshed. These are all healthy gains that come from changing your lifestyle in small, positive ways, rather than just focusing on weight loss. 

  Need more reminders from experts? These are a few of the books I’ve read/listened to lately that have taught me these things and more.

Good for a Girl by Lauren Fleshman

Run Like a Pro by Matt Fitzgerald and Ben Rosario

The Slow AF Run Club by Martinus Evans

Some of my favorite Podcasts for whole body health:

Another Mother Runner

Not Your Average Runner

80/20 Endurance

The Mindset Mile

Boldly Becoming You

We’re here to help you get moving. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, there’s someone in my circle that can help you make the changes you want to make to feel better tomorrow. All you have to do is ask!