Professional Blogs

Health Coach—Should You Stop Selling Weight Loss?

Dec 16, 2024

As a health coach, the question of whether to stop selling weight loss is one that touches not just your business but also your values and ethics. For many, weight loss programs seem like a natural fit because “it’s what sells” or “it’s what clients want.” But is selling weight loss really aligned with what you believe in?

This guide is for health coaches considering the transition to non-diet health coaching. We’ll dive into the ethical and emotional challenges of stepping away from weight loss-focused programs, share real conversations from the field, and provide a roadmap for creating a business that’s values-aligned and impactful.

Health Coaching Selling Weight Loss: Why It Feels Safe

Let’s start by acknowledging the reality: in a fatphobic society, weight loss is seen as a desirable outcome. From social media influencers to healthcare professionals, the pervasive message is that shrinking your body equals success, health, and happiness.

As coaches, we’re taught to “sell people what they want and give them what they need.” For many of us, that’s meant marketing weight loss programs to draw clients in, even if we later shift the focus to sustainable, non-diet approaches.

But here’s the thing: this model perpetuates harm.

Every time you market weight loss, you reinforce the narrative that something is wrong with your clients’ bodies. You’re not just selling a program—you’re upholding the oppressive systems of diet culture and fatphobia.

A Conversation That Changed Everything

During a recent body image coaching mentorship, I had a powerful conversation with a client about this very topic:

Client: “I wish I could join the Non-Diet Certification, but you don’t accept people who sell weight loss.”
Me: “Interesting. Why do you sell weight loss?”
Client: “Well, you know, that’s what sells. That’s what women want.”
Me: “Do you believe in the process of dieting and the sustainability of intentional weight loss long term?”
Client: “No, I don’t, and that’s why I give them the Non-Diet approach when they start working with me.”
Me: “I see. May I ask then why you are here learning from me about body image coaching?”
Client: “Well, it’s because my clients really struggle with accepting their bodies. I need to get better at helping them.”
Me: “So let me make sure I understand: you don’t believe in dieting or intentional weight loss. You don’t coach your clients to use dieting tactics. You’re here learning from a fat nutritionist and interested in advancing your skills. The only thing between you and your desires is releasing weight loss as a promise. Why do you think you’re resisting?”
Client: Silence. “I’m afraid of what will happen.”

Health Coaching Selling Weight Loss: The Fear of Letting Go

That fear is real—and valid. We live in a culture that rewards weight loss marketing with clicks, sign-ups, and praise. Moving away from selling weight loss can feel like stepping off a cliff without a safety net.

For many, the fear stems from internalized fatphobia and the belief that clients won’t invest in programs that don’t promise weight loss. This fear often manifests as:

Worry about losing clients.
A dip in revenue during the transition.
Uncertainty about how to market non-diet services.

A Personal Journey: Trusting Your Values

I’ve been there. Eight years ago, I was a nutritionist selling weight loss programs despite not believing in their long-term effectiveness. I felt stuck, scared, and unsure of how to move forward without compromising my integrity.

But I made the leap. I stopped selling weight loss, embraced non-diet health coaching, and built a business rooted in my values. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Trusting your intuition and aligning with your values is the foundation for sustainable success.
Your ideal clients—the ones ready to do meaningful work—will find you.
Stepping away from weight loss programs allows you to create deeper, more fulfilling client relationships.

What Happens When You Stop Selling Weight Loss

When coaches transition to non-diet health coaching, they often report significant positive shifts in their business and personal fulfillment:

“I’m calling in my ideal clients who are ready to do the work.”
“I stopped selling weight loss, and my program packages are selling better.”
“I’m working with clients who are fun to coach and aligned with my values.”
“I feel confident and clear in my business decisions.”

Why Non-Diet Coaching Works

Non-diet health coaching isn’t about ignoring health or behaviors—it’s about focusing on sustainable changes that don’t hinge on weight loss. Clients learn to:

Build healthier relationships with food.
Explore movement that feels joyful, not punishing.
Develop self-compassion and body acceptance.

By shifting the focus away from weight loss, you empower clients to make changes rooted in self-care, not shame.

Health Coaching Selling Weight Loss: Practical Steps to Transition to Non-Diet Coaching

If you’re ready to stop selling weight loss, here’s how to begin:

Clarify Your Values: What do you stand for as a coach? Write down your values and let them guide your decisions.
Educate Yourself: Learn the principles of non-diet coaching and health at every size (HAES).
Audit Your Marketing: Remove language that promises weight loss and replace it with messaging about sustainable health and well-being.
Address Your Fears: Reflect on what’s holding you back and seek support from mentors or peers.
Lean into Community: Surround yourself with other non-diet professionals who can offer guidance and encouragement.

Health Coaching Selling Weight Loss: Is It Time to Stop Selling Weight Loss?

Ultimately, the decision to stop selling weight loss is deeply personal. It requires courage, reflection, and a willingness to disrupt the status quo. But the rewards—both for your clients and your business—are profound.

By letting go of weight loss as a promise, you free yourself to build a coaching practice that aligns with your values and supports lasting change.

Are you ready to make the leap?

Need Help Transitioning to Non-Diet Health Coaching?

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

It’s Beyond The Food – Undiet Your Life group coaching program is for women to learn how to eat intuitively, become body neutral, and learn self-coaching at their own pace while being supported in a group setting by Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches.

Non-Diet Coaching Certification for professionals ready to integrate the Going Beyond The Food Method™️ in their practice and for women wanting to become Certified Coach and build a business coaching other women beyond the food.

We Need Thin Weight Neutral Health Coaches and Providers

Dec 16, 2024

The weight-neutral health coaching space is a movement that’s transforming how we approach health and well-being. At its core, this philosophy embraces health at every size, rejecting the traditional focus on weight loss as a measure of success.

While the space has grown significantly, an important conversation remains: the role of thin weight-neutral health coaches and providers. This essay explores why we need people of all body sizes in this space, especially thin providers, and how they can use their position to create meaningful change.

What Does It Mean to Be a Weight-Neutral Health Coach?

Weight-neutral health coaches prioritize behaviors over outcomes. Instead of promoting weight loss, they focus on sustainable habits like intuitive eating, joyful movement, and stress management. This approach helps clients improve their health and relationship with their bodies without fixating on the scale.

For weight-neutral coaching to truly thrive, it requires diversity among its providers. That means welcoming coaches of all body sizes—thin, fat, and everything in between.

Why Thin Coaches Are Vital to the Weight-Neutral Space

There’s a misconception circulating that thin coaches don’t belong in weight-neutral spaces because they benefit from thin privilege. However, this perspective oversimplifies the impact thin coaches can have.

1. Representation Matters: Clients entering the weight-neutral space for the first time may feel more comfortable with a thin coach, especially if they have internalized fatphobia. For some, seeing someone they perceive as “acceptable” can create a bridge to understanding.

2. Leveraging Privilege for Good: Thin coaches have a unique ability to acknowledge and challenge the privileges they benefit from, creating safer spaces for clients in larger bodies.

3. Expanding the Movement: The inclusion of thin coaches helps normalize the idea that weight-neutral approaches are for everyone, not just people in larger bodies.

Rather watch the video version of this blog post? We’ve got you…

I recorded a podcast episode a few years back where we discuss thin privilege in health coaching with Alissa Rumsey and Julie Duffy Dillon.

Understanding Thin Privilege in Weight-Neutral Coaching

Thin privilege is the societal advantage people in smaller bodies have simply because they fit the cultural ideal. It shows up in ways like:

Being accommodated in public spaces.
Having access to clothing that fits.
Not facing discrimination from healthcare providers.

In weight-neutral health coaching, thin privilege can impact the client relationship. To foster trust, it’s essential for thin coaches to acknowledge and address this dynamic openly. Doing so creates an environment where clients in larger bodies feel seen and respected.

My Personal Journey with Thin Coaches

Nine years ago, as I began recovering from diet culture, I was hesitant to work with a fat coach. My internalized fatphobia was so strong that I couldn’t face my own body reflected back to me during coaching sessions.

Instead, I found my first weight-neutral health coach in a thin-bodied woman. She had never struggled with body image the way I had, but she held a safe space for me when I couldn’t do that for myself. She taught me to process emotions, practice self-compassion, and confront my internalized fatphobia.

That coach was the catalyst I needed to eventually work with someone in a larger body. Without her, I wouldn’t have been ready to take the next step in my journey.

How Thin Weight-Neutral Coaches Can Support Clients of All Sizes

If you’re a thin coach or provider entering the weight-neutral space, here are actionable steps to ensure you’re creating inclusive, empowering spaces for your clients:

1. Acknowledge Your Privilege: Be transparent about the advantages you’ve experienced in your body. Naming this privilege helps build trust.

2. Hold Safe Space: Learn how to create an environment where clients feel supported and validated, regardless of their size.

3. Educate Yourself: Understand the unique challenges faced by people in larger bodies, including systemic fatphobia and weight stigma.

4. Use Your Voice: Advocate for body diversity and weight-neutral approaches in professional spaces and on public platforms.

5. Practice Self-Compassion: If you feel guilt about your privilege, channel it into positive action instead of self-criticism.

Training Weight Neutral Coaches: The Skills That Matter

To be an effective weight-neutral health coach, whether thin or fat, you need more than good intentions—you need skills. Some essential coaching skills include:

Understanding Belief Systems: Helping clients uncover and change harmful thoughts about their bodies.
Nervous System Regulation: Teaching clients how to manage stress and emotions in a way that supports long-term health.
Creating Safe Spaces: Building environments where all clients feel respected and empowered.
Intersectional Coaching: Recognizing how factors like race, gender, and socioeconomic status intersect with body size and health.

The journey to becoming a skilled weight-neutral coach begins with doing the work on yourself first. By examining your own biases, beliefs, and behaviors, you can show up authentically for your clients.

Why Diversity Strengthens the Weight-Neutral Movement

Diversity in coaching bodies isn’t just a bonus—it’s a necessity. Having coaches of different sizes, experiences, and backgrounds enriches the movement and ensures it meets the needs of all clients.

Thin weight-neutral coaches bring the ability to bridge gaps for clients who might not be ready to confront internalized fatphobia. Fat coaches offer lived experience and insights that thin coaches simply can’t replicate. Together, they create a more inclusive, powerful movement.

Weight Neutral Health Coaches: A Call to Action

If you’re a thin coach considering entering the weight-neutral space, know this: your presence matters. You have the potential to make a profound impact on your clients’ lives by challenging diet culture and promoting true health.

Likewise, if you’re a client seeking a weight-neutral coach, remember that the right coach for you might not look the way you expect. What matters most is their ability to create a safe, supportive space for your journey.

The weight-neutral health coaching movement needs all of us—thin, fat, and everything in between. Together, we can challenge societal norms, reject diet culture, and create a world where health is accessible to everyone, regardless of body size.

How We Can Help You Become a Weight-Neutral Coach

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

Thinking About Going Back on a Diet to Lose Weight? Read This!

Dec 16, 2024

A Guide for Women Triggered by Diet Culture

This guide is for every woman who’s felt triggered by diet culture recently and are thinking about going back on a diet:

The influencer flaunting their “healthy lifestyle transformation.”
The gym windows showcasing “before and after” photos.
Aunt Janice bragging about her miracle weight loss program.

If you’ve caught yourself thinking about going back on a diet, know this: your thoughts are valid and expected. You’re not broken or weak. You’re simply living in a world that constantly reinforces the idea that your body needs to change.

Let’s unpack these triggers together, so you can move past the noise of diet culture and reclaim your power.

Thinking about Going Back on a Diet: How To Coach Yourself When Triggered by Diet Culture

When you think about dieting, it’s often your brain’s way of seeking safety in a fatphobic society. The messaging around us equates thinness with happiness, success, and health. It’s no wonder you feel compelled to change your body—it’s what you’ve been taught for years.

But here’s the truth: a thought is not a fact.

That fleeting desire to lose weight? It’s not an absolute truth about your worth or what you need to feel fulfilled. It just reflects the conditioning you’ve absorbed from diet culture.

Step 1: Normalize Your Thoughts

The first step in navigating these feelings is normalization. Remind yourself that it’s normal to think about dieting in a world obsessed with thinness.

Try saying this to yourself:

“It makes total sense that I feel this way. I live in a fatphobic, diet-culture-obsessed society.”

Place your hand on your heart, breathe deeply, and repeat it with compassion. This simple act can help shift your mindset from self-blame to understanding.

Step 2: Challenge Your Beliefs

After normalizing your thoughts, ask yourself:

What do I want to believe about my body, health, and happiness?
Do I want to keep believing that weight loss is the key to my happiness or health?

Diet culture thrives on three major lies:

Smaller bodies are better and more valuable.
Health is only accessible at a smaller weight.
Your worth depends on how hard you work to shrink your body.

Now, let’s rewrite the narrative. Consider these alternative beliefs:

My body is a tool to experience life, not a sign of my worth as a woman.
Health-promoting behaviors are accessible at any weight.
My happiness comes from the way I think about myself, not my pant size.

Step 3: Choose Empowering Thoughts

Once you’ve identified the beliefs you want to hold, it’s time to train your brain to think them more often. This is where true transformation begins, but it requires practice and patience.

Here’s how:

Write down your new beliefs.
Place them somewhere visible—on your mirror, fridge, or phone wallpaper.
Repeat them daily, even if they don’t feel true right away.

Over time, these new thoughts will become second nature, replacing the diet culture beliefs that once dominated your mind.

Why Going Back on a Diet Feels So Tempting

Dieting provides a sense of control, especially when life feels overwhelming. It offers a clear path with rules and promises of a better future. But here’s what diet culture doesn’t tell you:

Diets fail 91-95% of the time.
They create a cycle of weight loss and regain, leaving you feeling like the problem when the real issue is the unsustainable methods.
Dieting harms your relationship with food, your body, and your mental health.

You’re not the problem. Diet culture is.

Step 4: Reflect on What You’re Truly Seeking

When you think about dieting, it’s rarely just about the weight. Ask yourself:

What am I hoping to feel by losing weight?
Do I want confidence, happiness, ease, or acceptance?

The good news? You don’t need to shrink your body to feel those things. Confidence and happiness are already within reach—you just need to shift the focus from external validation to internal growth.

Step 5: Break Free with Self-Compassion

Breaking free from diet culture is not a one-time decision. It’s an ongoing process of self-coaching and self-compassion. Here’s how to stay grounded when triggers arise:

Acknowledge Your Triggers: Recognize when a comment, ad, or thought activates your desire to diet.
Pause and Breathe: Create space between the trigger and your response.
Respond with Kindness: Remind yourself that it’s normal to feel this way, but you have the power to choose a different path.

Thinking about Going Back on a Diet: What to Do Instead

Instead of focusing on weight loss, channel your energy into behaviors that genuinely improve your well-being.

1. Focus on Nourishment: Eat foods that satisfy and energize you, without labeling them as “good” or “bad.”

2. Move for Joy: Find activities that make you feel alive and connected to your body, rather than punishing workouts.

3. Prioritize Rest and Stress Management: Sleep and stress reduction are critical for physical and emotional health.

4. Celebrate Your Body: Practice gratitude for what your body allows you to do, rather than how it looks.

Remember: You Are Enough

When you feel the urge to go back on a diet, remind yourself:

You don’t need to fix yourself.
Your body is not a problem.
Diet culture doesn’t get to define your worth.

Choosing to reject dieting is a radical act of self-love in a world that profits from your self-doubt. By reclaiming your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors, you can liberate yourself from the endless cycle of dieting and finally live fully.

How We Can Help

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

How to Say NO to New Year New You and What to Do Instead to Feel Better

Dec 12, 2024

As the year comes to a close, the “New Year, New You” messaging emerges like clockwork, urging us to start over, fix ourselves, and chase unattainable ideals. But what if this year, instead of buying into diet culture’s manipulative narrative, we approached the New Year differently? Ready to learn how to say NO to new year new you narrative?

This guide will help you understand the roots of New Year’s resolutions, how diet culture has distorted them, and how to set empowering goals that support your well-being—without the baggage of dieting or body shame.

The History of New Year’s Resolutions

Setting intentions for the new year is an ancient practice. Four thousand years ago, early civilizations made promises to their gods, offering sacrifices in exchange for a fruitful year ahead. Organized religions later adopted similar traditions, with followers vowing to correct past mistakes and strive for better adherence to religious principles.

In today’s secular world, the “gods” have changed. Diet culture and the thin ideal have replaced spiritual guidance, convincing us that a smaller body is the key to happiness, success, and health. Instead of reflecting on meaningful growth, we’ve been conditioned to focus on shrinking ourselves as the ultimate resolution.

How to Say NO to New Year New You: How Diet Culture Hijacked the New Year

Diet culture preys on insecurities, turning the New Year into a season of self-criticism. It equates worth with physical appearance and health with thinness, pushing the narrative that “fixing” our bodies will fix our lives.

Think about the ads flooding your feed:

Detoxes to “cleanse” the indulgences of the holiday season.
Gym promotions promising a “new you.”
Before-and-after photos celebrating dramatic weight loss.

These messages imply that who you are right now isn’t enough. They frame the New Year as a deadline for transformation, rather than an opportunity for authentic growth.

Rather listen to the audio version of this blog? We’ve got you…

Why We Keep Falling for It

Despite knowing diets don’t work long-term, many of us still set weight loss resolutions. Why? Because diet culture convinces us that failure is personal—not systemic.

When a diet fails, we’re told it’s due to a lack of willpower, not because the diet itself was unsustainable. This endless cycle of blame and guilt keeps us hooked, hoping that the next plan will finally work.

Breaking Free: How to Say NO to New Year New You

Rejecting the New Year, New You narrative isn’t about giving up on self-improvement—it’s about redefining what improvement looks like. Here’s how:

1. Understand What You’re Really Chasing

When you set a weight loss goal, what are you truly seeking? Confidence? Happiness? Better health?

Reframe It: Instead of focusing on a smaller body, focus on how you want to feel. For example, aim for more energy, better sleep, or less stress—none of which require dieting.

2. Separate Health from Weight

Health and weight are not the same. Research shows that behaviors like balanced nutrition, regular movement, and stress management have a greater impact on health than body size.

Reframe It: Set health goals that prioritize behaviors, not outcomes. For example:

“I’ll add more vegetables to my meals” instead of “I’ll lose 10 pounds.”
“I’ll take walks for mental clarity” instead of “I’ll burn calories.”

3. Question the “Fix Yourself” Mentality

Diet culture thrives on making you feel broken. But you’re not.

Reframe It: Shift your focus from fixing to creating. What can you build in your life that aligns with your values and brings joy?

4. Ditch All-or-Nothing Thinking

New Year’s resolutions often set us up for failure with extreme, unsustainable goals.

Reframe It: Embrace flexibility. Allow room for adjustments and celebrate small victories along the way.

5. Surround Yourself with Support

Who you follow and engage with shapes your mindset.

Reframe It: Curate your social media to include accounts that celebrate body diversity and reject diet culture. Connect with communities that support intuitive eating and self-compassion.

6. Celebrate Non-Scale Victories

Your worth isn’t defined by a number on the scale.

Reframe It: Recognize achievements that reflect personal growth, like improved energy, stronger relationships, or newfound hobbies.

7. Focus on What Brings Joy

Diet culture thrives on restriction, but joy is essential for a fulfilling life.

Reframe It: Ask yourself, “What lights me up?” Incorporate more of those activities into your daily routine, whether it’s dancing, painting, or spending time with loved ones.

8. Practice Self-Compassion

Self-improvement doesn’t have to be fueled by criticism.

Reframe It: Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend. Acknowledge your progress and forgive setbacks.

What to Do Instead of Dieting

Now that you’ve said NO to New Year New You, what’s next? Here’s how to set meaningful, diet-free resolutions:

1. Reflect on Your Values: Identify what truly matters to you. Is it family, creativity, health, or adventure?

2. Set Intentions, Not Rules: Choose intentions that align with your values, like “prioritize rest” or “nurture my creativity.”

3. Break Goals into Steps: Focus on small, actionable changes. Instead of “be healthier,” try “drink more water” or “take deep breaths during stressful moments.”

4. Celebrate Progress: Track how you feel as you make changes. Progress is about growth, not perfection.

How to Say NO to New Year New You: A Radical Proposition

What if, instead of criticizing ourselves, we spent the year learning to believe in ourselves? Imagine redirecting the energy used to shrink your body toward building self-trust, confidence, and joy.

Here’s your challenge for the New Year: Stop measuring yourself against the impossible standards of diet culture. Start creating a life where you feel free, empowered, and unapologetically yourself.

This year, say NO to New Year New You—and YES to the real you.

How We Can Help You Say NO to New Year New You

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

Health Goals Versus Weight Loss Goals: Why It’s Not the Same

Dec 9, 2024

As the end of the year approaches, many of us reflect on the past and set goals for the future. Unfortunately, in a society dominated by diet culture, this time of self-reflection often becomes a season of weight loss resolutions. Ads flood our screens with promises of quick fixes, “detoxes,” and ways to shed holiday pounds. But are weight loss goals the same as health goals? Spoiler: They’re not.

Let’s explore why this distinction matters and how to pursue sustainable health goals that empower you for life.

Health Goals Versus Weight Loss Goals: The Diet Culture Trap

In a world steeped in diet culture, weight loss is often presented as the ultimate solution to health concerns. Feeling tired? Lose weight. Joint pain? Drop pounds. High cholesterol? Slim down.

But weight loss as a universal remedy is misleading and harmful. The association between weight and health is far more complex than what mainstream messaging suggests. For decades, we’ve been conditioned to believe that thinness equals health, happiness, and worth. However, this belief isn’t rooted in science—it’s rooted in societal biases like sexism, racism, and fatphobia.

The Historical Roots of Weight Loss Obsession

Up until the early 20th century, weight loss was not linked to health by medical professionals. The cultural obsession with thinness began in the post-World War era, when societal beauty standards shifted. As Sabrina Strings, author of Fearing the Black Body, explains, fatphobia is tied to white supremacy and religious morality. Thinness became a marker of racial, moral, and national superiority, while fatness was stigmatized as undesirable and sinful.

Patriarchy also fueled this obsession. During times when women fought for more power—like the right to vote or equal pay—cultural narratives about beauty intensified. Thinness became a tool of oppression, keeping women preoccupied with their bodies instead of pursuing autonomy and influence.

As Naomi Wolf writes in The Beauty Myth:
“A cultural fixation on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty but an obsession about female obedience.”

Rather listen to the audio version of this blog? We’ve got you…

Why Wanting to Lose Weight Feels Normal

If you’ve ever set a weight loss goal, you’re not alone. It’s natural to desire weight loss in a world that constantly reinforces this message. Diet culture surrounds us, from the media to healthcare, shaping our beliefs and behaviors.

When clients like Julie (a fictional example) come to me wanting to lose weight, I validate their feelings. Their desires are a logical response to a lifetime of societal conditioning. But when we dig deeper, the reasons for their weight loss goals often center on improving their health, comfort, or quality of life—goals that don’t actually require weight loss.

Health Goals versus Weight Loss Goals

Here’s the critical distinction:

Weight loss goals focus on changing your body size.
Health goals focus on improving how you feel and function.

These two are not the same. In fact, pursuing weight loss can undermine genuine health goals by promoting restrictive diets, disordered eating, and a negative relationship with your body.

The assumption that weight directly correlates with health is flawed. Research consistently shows that health behaviors—like eating nutritious foods, moving your body, and managing stress—have a far greater impact on health than weight alone.

For example, a 2016 study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that nearly 47% of people classified as overweight and 29% of those classified as obese were metabolically healthy. Meanwhile, 31% of those with a “normal” BMI were metabolically unhealthy. This highlights that weight is not a definitive indicator of health.

Redefining Health: A Holistic Approach

Health isn’t just physical. The World Health Organization defines health as:
“A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

True health encompasses:

1. Physical well-being: Feeling energized and comfortable in your body.

2. Emotional well-being: Managing stress, emotions, and mental health.

3. Social well-being: Maintaining fulfilling relationships and a sense of community.

How to Pursue Health Without Diet Culture

1. Set Non-Weight-Related Goals
Focus on goals like improving sleep quality, increasing energy, or building strength. These are sustainable and have a direct impact on well-being.

2. Adopt a Weight-Neutral Approach
Embrace the idea that health is not determined by the number on a scale. A weight-neutral approach emphasizes behaviors over outcomes.

3. Prioritize Self-Care
Invest in habits that nourish your body and mind, like balanced meals, enjoyable movement, and mindfulness practices.

4. Reject All-or-Nothing Thinking
Health isn’t about perfection. Small, consistent changes matter more than extreme overhauls.

5. Educate Yourself About Diet Culture
Learn how diet culture manipulates societal norms and reinforces harmful ideals. Knowledge is power.

6. Find Joy in Movement
Exercise should feel good, not like a punishment. Experiment with activities that bring you joy, whether it’s dancing, yoga, or hiking.

7. Manage Stress and Rest
Chronic stress takes a toll on health. Incorporate relaxation techniques and prioritize sufficient sleep.

8. Surround Yourself with Support
Seek out communities that celebrate body diversity and reject diet culture. Curate your social media to reflect these values.

9. Develop Self-Compassion
Be kind to yourself as you unlearn harmful narratives. Accept that your journey will involve ups and downs.

10. Celebrate Non-Scale Victories
Track progress in ways that reflect your overall well-being, like improved stamina, better mood, or reduced stress levels.

Health Goals Versus Weight Loss Goals: The Empowering Choice

Silencing the noise of diet culture and choosing health goals over weight loss goals is an act of self-empowerment. It’s about shifting the focus from shrinking your body to living your fullest, healthiest life.

Remember, your worth is not determined by your weight. By prioritizing sustainable health goals, you can nurture a positive relationship with your body and create a life that supports your well-being in every sense.

Your body, your choice. Choose health, not weight loss.

Need help pursuing your health goals?

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

10 Tips for Silencing the Weight Loss Message During the Holidays

Dec 4, 2024

The holidays should be a time of joy, connection, and celebration, but for many, it’s also when the weight loss industry ramps up its messaging. From detox ads to fitness challenges disguised as New Year’s resolutions, these messages can overshadow the true spirit of the season, leaving you feeling unworthy or pressured to conform.

But you don’t have to listen. Silencing the weight loss message is about reclaiming your holiday experience and prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being over the noise of diet culture.

Here are 10 empowering tips to help you navigate the holidays while tuning out harmful weight loss messages.

1. Anticipate and Prepare for Weight Loss Messaging

Weight loss ads and campaigns flood the holiday season. From social media posts to commercials, these messages are everywhere, aiming to profit from your insecurities.

Tip: Anticipate this surge and decide how to respond. Mute accounts, skip triggering conversations, or prepare mantras like, “This message doesn’t define me.”

2. Understand the Systemic Fear of Fatness

The weight loss industry thrives on the fear of fatness, a belief ingrained in us by societal norms. Recognizing this fear as a learned bias is the first step toward dismantling its power.

Tip: Reflect on how societal pressures have shaped your views about weight and body image. Acknowledge that these fears are not your fault.

3. Follow the Money Trail

The weight loss, beauty, and wellness industries profit billions annually by pushing these messages. Remember, they aren’t invested in your health or happiness—they’re invested in their bottom line.

Tip: When you see a weight loss ad, remind yourself it’s designed to sell, not serve. This awareness can help you detach from its emotional impact.

4. Acknowledge Fatphobia as a Systemic Issue

Fatphobia isn’t just a personal issue—it’s systemic. It’s woven into media, healthcare, and social norms, perpetuating the belief that thinner is better.

Tip: Educate yourself on systemic fatphobia. Understanding its roots can empower you to resist its influence in your own life.

5. Learn the Language of Diet Culture

Silencing the weight loss message requires understanding the broader system of diet culture. This culture places value on thinness, equating it with health and morality, and keeps people preoccupied with their bodies.

Tip: Dive into resources that define and challenge diet culture. Learning its patterns can help you recognize and reject its influence.

Rather listen to the audio version of this blog? We’ve got you…

6. Be Compassionate with Yourself

It’s natural to feel the urge to lose weight in a world obsessed with thinness. However, acting on these feelings isn’t necessary.

Tip: Practice self-compassion. Acknowledge these feelings without judgment and remind yourself that your worth is not tied to your weight.

7. Curate Your Social Media Feed

The messages you surround yourself with matter. Social media can be a source of empowerment or a breeding ground for comparison and insecurity.

Tip: Unfollow accounts that promote weight loss or unrealistic beauty standards. Instead, follow creators who celebrate body diversity and self-acceptance.

8. Remember: You Don’t Owe Anyone an Explanation

Your body and choices are yours alone. You’re not obligated to explain your appearance, eating habits, or health goals to anyone.

Tip: Use affirmations like, “My body, my rules,” to reinforce your autonomy. Let go of the need to please others with your personal decisions.

9. Set Intentions from a Place of Love

When setting goals or intentions for the New Year, let them come from a place of love and self-respect, not fear or self-criticism.

Tip: Ask yourself, “What would I pursue if I believed I was already enough?” Use this as your guiding principle for decision-making.

10. Use Triggers as Opportunities for Growth

Avoiding weight loss messaging entirely isn’t realistic, but you can use these moments as chances to reflect and heal.

Tip: When triggered, pause and ask yourself, “What belief is being challenged here?” Use the experience to identify areas where you can grow and strengthen your mindset.

Silencing the Weight Loss Message: The Path to True Freedom

Silencing the weight loss message during the holidays isn’t just about avoiding negativity—it’s about embracing joy, connection, and self-worth. By following these tips, you can create a season that prioritizes your well-being over societal pressures.

Remember, the holidays are a time to celebrate the fullness of life, not shrink yourself to fit someone else’s ideals. This year, tune out the noise, choose self-love, and reclaim the holiday season for what it truly is: a time to cherish yourself and your loved ones.

Need help silencing the weight loss message to break free from diet culture?

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

Why You Shouldn’t “Indulge” During the Holiday: ‘tis the season to smash down diet culture

Nov 29, 2024

The holiday season is a time of celebration, reflection, and joy. Yet, for many, it also comes laden with the weight of diet culture and its insidious grip. From the portrayal of women in holiday movies to societal expectations about indulgence and self-restraint, the season has long been entwined with patriarchal systems and diet culture narratives. This article explores the roots of these traditions and offers strategies to reclaim your holiday experience, diet-culture free.

The Patriarchal Roots of the Holidays

The modern holiday season is a blend of ancient traditions, Christianity, and consumerism. Initially tied to winter solstice celebrations, the holidays were historically about community and feasting. As Christianity gained prominence, religious elements merged with these practices. By the 19th century, Christmas had become a commercial enterprise, shifting focus from spirituality to consumption.

Patriarchy has played a key role in shaping holiday norms. From the gendered division of labor in holiday preparations to the expectation that women must create perfect celebrations, patriarchal systems have normalized the emotional and physical labor of the season for women. This dynamic also extends to diet culture, a tool of patriarchy that keeps women focused on controlling their bodies rather than asserting their power.

How Diet Culture Thrives During the Holidays

Diet culture is particularly potent during the holidays, exploiting themes of indulgence, guilt, and control. The narrative often goes like this:

Indulge now, restrict later: The idea of holiday feasting is weaponized with the promise of New Year’s resolutions to “atone” for excess.
Moralizing food choices: Phrases like “cheat day” or “being good” reinforce the idea that eating certain foods determines personal value.
Pressure to prepare for the New Year: The “New Year, New You” rhetoric capitalizes on holiday guilt, selling solutions to problems diet culture itself created.

These narratives are everywhere—in movies, ads, and even casual conversations. Women’s magazines and online content emphasize self-restraint, while men’s content often highlights pleasure and relaxation, reflecting a stark double standard.

Rather listen to the audio version of this blog? We’ve got you…

How Patriarchy Shapes Holiday Diet Culture

The portrayal of women in holiday culture often reinforces diet culture and patriarchal norms. Consider these examples:

Holiday Movies: Women are typically shown as self-sacrificing, managing endless holiday tasks while maintaining a “perfect” appearance. Their worth is tied to how well they fulfill these roles.
Body Image in Media: Holiday visuals are dominated by thin, conventionally attractive characters, perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards.
Food Messaging: Women are encouraged to “indulge” cautiously, while men are rarely subjected to such scrutiny.

These dynamics keep women in cycles of striving, guilt, and self-denial, making it harder to break free from these oppressive systems.

Breaking Free: How to Navigate the Holidays Diet-Culture Free

Awareness is the first step to change. Here’s how to navigate the season free from the constraints of diet culture:

1. Redefine Indulgence

The word “indulge” is often loaded with guilt and moral judgment. Instead, embrace the idea that food is a source of nourishment and joy. Remind yourself that no food is inherently “bad” or “good.” All foods fit into a balanced, intuitive approach to eating.

Action Step: Replace “I’m indulging” with “I’m enjoying.” Focus on the experience of savoring food without attaching guilt to it.

2. Shift the Focus from Food to Connection

The holidays are about more than what’s on the table. Reframe your celebrations to prioritize connection, relaxation, and reflection over food and appearance.

Action Step: Plan activities that emphasize bonding, such as games, outdoor walks, or sharing gratitude with loved ones.

3. Challenge Media Messages

Be critical of the holiday media you consume. Notice how women and men are portrayed differently and question the messages you’re absorbing.

Action Step: Discuss these observations with friends or family to raise awareness about these patterns. For example, point out gendered stereotypes in holiday movies during family movie nights.

4. Say No to “New Year, New You” Pressure

The New Year often brings a surge of dieting ads and fitness challenges. Reject the idea that your worth is tied to transforming your body.

Action Step: Set intentions that prioritize self-care and joy over physical appearance. For example, focus on learning a new skill or dedicating time to a hobby.

5. Reclaim Your Holiday Traditions

Patriarchy and diet culture have long dictated what the holidays “should” look like. It’s time to redefine these traditions on your terms.

Action Step:

Simplify holiday tasks. Let go of unnecessary obligations that drain your energy.
Celebrate in ways that feel authentic to you, whether that means skipping the turkey or enjoying a favorite family dish without guilt.

Cultivating Awareness and Passing It On: How to Navigate the Holidays Diet-Culture Free

Breaking free from diet culture during the holidays is not just an act of self-care but also a way to challenge systemic oppression. By refusing to participate in these harmful narratives, you pave the way for others—especially children—to experience the holidays without internalized shame or guilt.

When you model an intuitive, guilt-free approach to food and traditions, you contribute to a cultural shift that prioritizes well-being over unrealistic ideals.

Final Thoughts: A Season of Liberation

Navigating the holidays without diet culture is a radical act of self-love and resistance. By understanding the roots of holiday traditions and recognizing the systems at play, you can reclaim the joy and meaning of the season.

Let this be the year you celebrate on your terms—free from guilt, restriction, and the weight of oppressive narratives. Because the true spirit of the holidays lies in connection, love, and the freedom to be unapologetically yourself.

Want to Learn More How to Navigate the Holidays Diet-Culture-Free?

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

Weight Neutral Health Motivation: How to Create Motivation When You Feel Unmotivated

Nov 25, 2024

Redefining Motivation: A Weight-Neutral Approach to Personal Growth

Have you ever found yourself stuck, feeling completely unmotivated and unable to move forward? As a weight-neutral health coach, I’ve worked with countless clients who struggle with motivation across various aspects of their lives. Today, I’m sharing a transformative perspective that can help you break free from motivational paralysis.

The Biggest Misconception About Motivation

Most people believe motivation is something that happens to you—that you’re either naturally motivated or you’re not. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Motivation is an emotion, just like joy, anger, or pleasure. It’s not a mysterious force that randomly appears; it’s a state you actively create through your thoughts and perceptions.

Why We Sabotage Our Own Motivation

Interestingly, what we perceive as a lack of motivation is often a sophisticated self-protection mechanism. When we feel unmotivated, we’re typically:

– Avoiding perceived danger
– Protecting ourselves from potential failure
– Responding to deep-seated fears of judgment or criticism

Weight-Neutral Health Coaching Motivation: Uncovering the Roots of Unmotivation

Let me share a recent coaching experience that illustrates this perfectly. I worked with a client struggling to submit an important assignment. On the surface, it looked like procrastination. But when we dug deeper, we discovered her real challenge: paralyzing fear of failure.

Redefining Failure: A Powerful Mindset Shift

Her family history had taught her that anything less than being in the top 10% was considered a failure—with punishment attached. As an adult, she was still operating from this limiting belief. Together, we reframed failure as something entirely different: an opportunity to learn and grow.

How to Create Motivation: A Step-by-Step Approach

Creating genuine motivation requires honest self-reflection. Here’s my proven strategy:

1. Identify Your Thoughts: Grab a pen and paper. Write down your genuine thoughts about the area where you’re struggling with motivation.

2. Challenge Your Beliefs: For each thought, ask yourself:
– Is this an absolute fact?
– Where did this belief come from?
– Is there another way to interpret this situation?

3. Redefine Your Narrative: Create a new, empowering definition that removes the emotional charge of “failure” or “not good enough.”

Rather watch the video version of this blog? Check out Stephanie’s Instagram live here.

Weight-Neutral Health Coaching Motivation: Real-World Motivation Transformation

In my client’s case, redefining failure from a catastrophic event to a learning opportunity completely changed her approach. Suddenly, submitting the assignment became exciting rather than terrifying.

Your Motivation Toolkit

– Recognize motivation as an emotion you control
– Challenge your existing beliefs
– Create a compassionate, growth-oriented narrative
– View challenges as opportunities for learning

The Courage to Change Your Perspective

Creating motivation takes genuine courage. It means confronting uncomfortable thoughts and choosing a different path. But the reward is immense: you’ll unlock potential you never knew you had.

Final Thoughts

Motivation isn’t something that happens to you—it’s something you create. By understanding your thoughts, challenging your beliefs, and reframing your experiences, you can generate motivation in any area of your life.

Remember, you have the power to shift your perspective and create the motivation you desire.

Need Help with Creating Motivation?

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

Clean Vs Dirty Goals: The Key To Creating Achievable Goals Post-Diet Culture

Oct 28, 2024

This 3-part blog series is designed to help people make peace with setting personal development goals post-diet culture. This is part 2 of 3. Read Part 1 & Part 3 here.

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Clean Vs Dirty Goals: The Key to Creating Achievable Goals Post-Diet Culture

For many women emerging from the diet culture mindset, goal-setting feels challenging, especially around the New Year when diet culture messaging resurfaces. Often, the struggle stems from years of setting “dirty goals”—those rooted in societal expectations rather than personal fulfillment. This post (part two of a three-part series) explores the difference between clean and dirty goals and guides you in setting achievable, non-diet culture goals.

Achievable Goals Post-Diet Culture: What Are Dirty Goals?

Dirty goals, which often emerge from diet culture, are goals tied to external validation or conditional happiness. These goals make our self-worth dependent on achieving a certain look, number, or outcome. Diet culture teaches us that achieving such goals will make us worthy, happy, or confident, but in reality, they create a continuous cycle of self-judgment. This approach often leaves us feeling like failures if we don’t meet these “perfect” standards, making goal-setting feel heavy rather than empowering.

Achievable Goals Post-Diet Culture: The Foundation of Clean Goals

Clean goals, on the other hand, are rooted in personal growth and internal motivation. Instead of focusing on an outcome that “fixes” something we believe is wrong with us, clean goals focus on the journey itself. They empower us to feel worthy and confident as we work toward them—not just if or when we achieve them. In other words, they are achievable goals post-diet culture.

Characteristics of Dirty Goals and How to Avoid Them

Dirty goals are subtle yet pervasive in the post-diet mindset. Recognizing their characteristics can help in shifting to clean goal-setting.

1. Abstract and Vague Goals

Dirty Goal: “I want to feel more confident.”
Clean Alternative: Create a specific and actionable goal, such as “I’ll practice speaking up once in meetings this month to build confidence.”

Dirty goals lack clear metrics, making progress hard to measure. Clean goals should be specific and measurable, helping you recognize small wins that build self-trust and encourage sustainable growth.

2. Conditional Happiness

Dirty Goal: “I’ll feel safe and confident when I reach a certain weight.”
Clean Alternative: Focus on feeling confident through affirmations, self-care routines, and body neutrality practices now, not later.

When we tie our happiness to reaching a goal, it keeps self-worth on hold. Clean goals help us feel confident and worthy in the present, ensuring self-acceptance becomes part of the journey.

3. All-or-Nothing Thinking

Dirty Goal: “Starting January, I’ll go to the gym every day.”
Clean Alternative: Set a realistic baseline, such as exercising once a week, and gradually increase as you build a sustainable habit.

Dirty goals often set high expectations, making it easy to quit after missing a single target. Clean goals, however, recognize progress over perfection, allowing flexibility and resilience as you work toward them.

4. Fantasizing About a ‘Perfect’ Outcome

Dirty Goal: “Losing weight will attract the right partner.”
Clean Alternative: Cultivate healthy relationships through self-acceptance and open-mindedness, rather than relying on a specific outcome.

When goals hinge on an idealized future, it’s easy to feel unfulfilled if that vision doesn’t materialize. Clean goals encourage progress and enjoyment in the now, creating fulfillment through self-acceptance rather than an imagined “perfect” life.

Setting Clean, Achievable Goals Post-Diet Culture

Once you understand the pitfalls of dirty goals, you can use these tips to create clean goals that align with your true desires and personal growth.

1. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome

Diet culture often pushes goals that revolve around a fixed result. Clean goals are rooted in the process of growth. By valuing the journey over the destination, clean goals allow for flexibility and adaptability. Rather than “I must achieve this by March,” think “I’m excited to explore this new habit and see where it takes me.”

2. Celebrate Small Wins

Dirty goals frequently have us aiming high without celebrating our progress along the way. This can lead to burnout and discouragement. Clean goals embrace incremental progress. Take time to celebrate every small step—each is a sign of commitment to your journey. These small wins are valuable milestones that reinforce your dedication to a healthier relationship with yourself.

3. Trust the Journey

Clean goal-setting reminds us that achieving our dreams doesn’t require certainty. Trusting the journey means allowing ourselves to be open to all outcomes, viewing each as a learning experience. When setbacks happen, as they inevitably will, we don’t let them derail us. Instead, we understand that progress isn’t always linear and that resilience grows through every experience.

Dirty Goals in Disguise: Red Flags to Watch For

Even with the best intentions, dirty goals can sometimes sneak back in, especially during times of stress. Here are a few red flags to watch for:

– Seeking Validation from Others: If the excitement of sharing your goal with others overshadows the goal itself, it may be more about external approval than personal growth.

– Feeling Overwhelmed by the ‘Fantasy’ of the Goal: If the planning process for a goal gives you a dopamine rush but quickly leads to feeling overwhelmed, this is a sign the goal may be too complicated or unrealistic.

By identifying these patterns, you can realign your intentions with clean goal-setting principles, ensuring that your goals reflect your values and desires rather than societal expectations.

Achievable Goals Post-Diet Culture: Practical Steps to Set Clean Goals

If you’re ready to create clean, achievable goals post-diet culture, start by breaking down your goal-setting process into smaller steps:

1. Write Down Your Goal and Motivation: Be clear about why this goal matters to you. Make sure the reason is genuinely yours, not shaped by external influences.

2. Create a Realistic Action Plan: Choose one small, achievable step to take. For example, if you want to feel healthier, start with gentle movement or a morning stretch routine.

3. Check-In Regularly: Schedule time to review your progress and adjust if necessary. Goal-setting is an evolving process, not a one-time commitment.

4. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Acknowledge your effort each step of the way, rather than waiting until the final milestone to reward yourself.

Moving Forward with Clean Goals

In a world saturated with diet culture messaging, shifting from dirty to clean goals is a powerful way to reclaim self-worth. When we set clean goals, we remove the pressure to be “fixed” or “improved.” Instead, we celebrate who we are right now while embracing the journey of personal growth.

As you explore these new approaches to goal-setting, remember that true fulfillment doesn’t require you to meet specific standards. By focusing on goals that honor your inherent worth, you’re choosing a path that nourishes both your body and your soul—free from diet culture’s influence.

Conclusion

Transitioning from diet-culture-driven goals to clean, achievable goals post-diet culture isn’t an overnight shift. But with awareness and a commitment to self-compassion, you’ll find that the goals you set for yourself can lead to sustainable, fulfilling progress. Whether you’re aiming to develop new habits, grow in confidence, or simply live with more intention, clean goals help you get there without sacrificing your well-being.

By reframing goals and moving away from diet culture’s influence, you’re not only creating a healthier mindset—you’re choosing a life that celebrates you, just as you are.

Ready to Set Clean Goals? We Can Help You!

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

It’s Beyond The Food – Undiet Your Life program is for women to learn how to eat intuitively, become body neutral, and learn self-coaching at their own pace while being supported in a group setting by Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches.

This post is part 2 of our 3-part series on making peace with goal setting in your post-diet culture journey. Access Part 1 & Part 3 here.

Goal Rebellion Post-Diet Culture: 5 Strategies to Make Goal Setting Exciting Again!

Oct 22, 2024

This 3 part blog series is designed to help people make peace with setting personal development goals post-diet culture. This is part 1 of 3. Read Part 2 & Part 3 here.

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Goal Setting Post-Diet Culture: 5 Strategies to Make Goal Setting Exciting Again!

Are you finding yourself hesitant to set personal development goals after breaking free from diet culture? You’re not alone. Many women discover that their relationship with goal setting becomes complicated once they step away from the rigid world of dieting and food rules.

Why You Might Be Experiencing Goal Rebellion

Just like rebellious eating is a natural response to years of food restriction, goal rebellion is an expected and normal part of your journey beyond diet culture. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, you’re likely in a stage of goal rebellion:

– Feeling anxious at the mere thought of setting new goals
– Believing that goals only lead to more suffering
– Struggling to imagine goal-setting without willpower and strict discipline
– Fearing that any goal failure reflects poorly on your worth
– Worrying that goals will pull you back into diet mentality
– Feeling overwhelmed by the perceived complexity of achieving goals

Understanding Goal Rebellion in Your Post-Diet Journey

After years of using goals to “fix” what society labeled as “problems,” it’s perfectly natural to want to reject goal-setting entirely. Many women find themselves saying “f*ck goals” – and that’s okay! This rebellion can actually be a healing part of your journey.

Try this affirmation to bring safety to your current stage:

“It’s totally normal for me to not want to set any goals in my life after years of using goal setting against myself.”

Goal Setting Post-Diet Culture: Moving Toward Goal Neutrality

The sweet spot lies in what we call “goal neutrality” – when the pendulum stops swinging between obsession and rebellion. This is where you can re-engage with goal-setting in a way that truly serves your growth and possibilities.

5 Powerful Strategies to Make Peace with Goal Setting

1. Redefine What Goals Mean to You

Goals aren’t about achieving perfection. Instead, think of them as building blocks for consistent, imperfect action toward something meaningful. It’s about gradually shifting your beliefs and identity, taking small steps that create sustainable change over time.

2. Own Your Sense of Worth

Goal rebellion often stems from believing that achieving goals is the only path to feeling “enough.” Remember: You don’t need to wait until you’ve reached a goal to feel worthy. Your worth exists independently of your achievements.

3. Break Free from Perfectionism

Ask yourself: Would you rather take consistent imperfect action for a year, or give up after six weeks because you couldn’t maintain “perfect” execution? Progress comes from embracing imperfection and keeping going anyway.

4. Focus on Habit Formation

Real life change happens through building sustainable habits, not through the temporary high of setting ambitious goals. Shift your focus from the end result to the daily practices that will get you there.

5. Commit to Self-Compassion

The journey toward any goal isn’t always exciting. It’s about showing up for yourself imperfectly, day after day, knowing that each small step matters. Having your own back through the process is crucial for sustainable change.

Remember: Your journey with goal setting doesn’t have to mirror your past experiences with diet culture. There’s a gentler, more sustainable way forward – and you get to define what that looks like for you.

Ready to Move Forward?

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

Your Next Steps

This post is part 1 of our 3-part series on making peace with goal setting in your post-diet culture journey. Read Part 2 & Part 3 here.

BMI Health and the Anti-Diet Health Approach

Oct 14, 2024

BMI, Health and the Anti-Diet Health Approach: A New Perspective

Are you tired of the endless cycle of dieting and weight obsession? You’re not alone. As a society, we’ve been conditioned to believe that our health is directly tied to our weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). But what if I told you that this approach is not only unsustainable but potentially harmful?

The Tyranny of Diet Culture

Let’s start with some eye-opening statistics:

– By age 45, the average woman has tried 61 different diets.
– Women spend an equivalent of 31 years obsessing about changing their bodies.
– Only 4% of women in first-world countries consider themselves ‘beautiful.’
– 75% of women report attempting to control their weight through dieting.
– 95% of diets fail, with dieters regaining lost weight within 1-5 years.

Perhaps most alarmingly, almost half of American girls between 1st and 3rd grade want to be thinner. 50% of 9-10-year-old girls are already dieting.

These facts paint a clear picture: we’re not free. We’re oppressed by diet culture.

The Historical Context of BMI and Health

You might assume that the link between health and weight has always existed. But the truth is quite different.

The Origins of BMI

The BMI was invented in the early 1800s by a mathematician. Surprisingly, it had nothing to do with health. It was created to determine the “ideal” body for a white European elite male of that era.

Read more about the history of BMI here.

The Shift in Medical Advice

Up until the 1930s, weight loss was never part of physician advice or public health guidelines. The association between weight loss and health only emerged in the post-World War II era. This shift coincided with the rise of diet culture and the idealization of thin bodies.

It’s crucial to understand that health and weight loss became associated not because of scientific evidence, but because culture had created a desire for thinness and a disdain for larger bodies.

BMI: A Flawed Measure of Health

Despite its widespread use, the BMI is a poor indicator of overall health.

The UCLA Study

A 2016 study by researchers at UCLA examined 40,420 American adults, assessing their health through six accepted metrics:

1. Blood pressure
2. Triglycerides
3. Cholesterol
4. Glucose
5. Insulin resistance
6. C-reactive protein (inflammation marker)

The results were surprising:

– 47% of people classified as overweight by BMI were healthy.
– 29% of those qualified as obese were healthy.
– 31% of normal-weight people were unhealthy.

The researchers concluded: “Policymakers should consider the unintended consequences of relying solely on BMI, and researchers should seek to improve diagnostic tools related to weight and cardiometabolic health.”

BMI, Health and the Anti-Diet Health Approach: The Truth About Our Desire to Be Thin

Our societal obsession with thinness isn’t rooted in health outcomes. Instead, it’s deeply intertwined with sexism and racism.

As Sabrina Strings, Ph.D., author of “Fearing the Black Body,” explains, two critical historical developments contributed to the fetishization of thinness:

1. The transatlantic slave trade
2. The spread of Protestantism

In the United States, fatness became stigmatized as both “black” and “sinful.” Slenderness served as a marker of moral, racial, and national superiority.

Read more about Feminism and Diet Culture here

The Evolution of Beauty Standards and Female Oppression

Throughout history, changing beauty ideals have been used as a tool to keep women focused on their bodies and away from pursuing power.

– 1890s: The Gibson Girl ideal emerged as women began to demand more power.
– 1920s: The Flapper Girl coincided with women’s fight for political power and the right to vote.
– 1970s: Twiggy’s ultra-thin look appeared as women demanded equal work and equal pay.

As Naomi Wolf states in “The Beauty Myth”: “A cultural fixation on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty but an obsession about female obedience… Dieting is the most potent political sedative in women’s history; a quietly mad population is a tractable one.“

The Solution: Health Beyond Dieting

As you become more educated about the non-diet approach to health, you must become comfortable with the fact that health isn’t measurable in one gold standard. It’s time to embrace a new approach to health—one that doesn’t revolve around weight loss or BMI.

The Weight-Neutral Approach to Health

A weight-neutral approach recognizes that health status can’t be determined solely by weight. It acknowledges that weight is influenced by complex factors, many of which are difficult or impossible to change.

This approach focuses on factors within your control:

– Thoughts
– Emotions
– Behaviors

By addressing these elements, you can improve your well-being and health, regardless of your weight.

The Four Bodies of Health

Humans are more than just physical bodies needing nutrition. We are composed of four interconnected bodies:

1. Emotional body: Needs emotional wellness
2. Mental body: Requires mental balance
3. Spiritual body: Craves connection and faith
4. Physical body: Needs proper nutrition and movement

True health is the sum of all four bodies’ well-being.

Embracing the Anti-Diet Health Approach

Transitioning to an anti-diet approach can be scary for both professionals and individuals. But it’s a crucial step towards true health and well-being.

If you’re ready to explore this approach further, I’d like to invite you to a training I delivered a few months ago, “How to coach weight-neutral health.” This is how we approach health within the Going Beyond the Food Method™️.

I have also written an in-depth article on various tactics to support your Health Beyond Dieting; you can read here.

Conclusion: BMI, Health and the Anti-Diet Health Approach

It’s time to move beyond BMI and weight-centric approaches to health. By embracing a weight-neutral, holistic view of well-being, we can break free from the cycle of dieting and truly thrive.

Remember, your worth is not determined by your weight or your BMI. You are so much more than a number on a scale. It’s time to reclaim your health, your happiness, and your power.

Are you ready to start your journey towards true health beyond dieting?

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

Private coaching with Stephanie and her team Stephanie and her team of Certified Non-Diet Coaches are waiting to support you in a one-to-one setting with an individualized plan.

Getting Started as an Anti-Diet Coach: 5 Insights I Wish I Knew

Oct 8, 2024

Hey there, fellow health professionals! It’s Stephanie here, and today I want to have a heart-to-heart about something close to my heart: getting started as an anti-diet coach. When I first shifted my business to the anti-diet approach, there were so many things I wish I’d known. So, grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive into the top 5 insights that could have made my journey (and hopefully yours) a whole lot smoother.

1. You Don’t Need Another Degree to Be “Good Enough” to Get Started as an Anti-Diet Coach

Let’s address the elephant in the room right off the bat: that nagging feeling that you’re not qualified enough. Trust me, I’ve been there. But here’s the truth bomb – you don’t need a wall full of certifications to make a difference.

What You Really Need is Confidence

Confidence isn’t something you can frame and hang on your wall. It’s an emotion produced by your thoughts. If you’re living the anti-diet lifestyle, eating intuitively, and embracing body neutrality, you’ve already got the foundation.

Unlearning and Relearning

The real challenge? Unlearning diet culture beliefs and rewiring your brain to recognize your innate power as a woman. This is why in our programs, we emphasize mindset work from day one. It’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for every woman in this field.

2. Get Comfortable Talking About Weight Loss

Here’s a reality check: 99% of your future clients haven’t done the deep work around body image and self-worth. Expecting them to come to you completely detached from the idea of weight loss is like waiting for pigs to fly.

Addressing the Weight Loss Elephant

Don’t shy away from these conversations. Instead, equip yourself with the right tools to navigate them effectively. Our “Coaching The Desire To Lose Weight” class is an excellent resource for this.

Be Open in Your Marketing

If you’re handling your own marketing, don’t be afraid to address weight loss in your messaging. Ignoring it only pushes women back into the arms of diet culture.

3. Your Practice is a Business – Treat It Like One

Whether you’re working for someone else or running your own show, your practice is a business. In today’s world, the anti-diet approach is largely a private care option. This means someone (probably you) needs to market your services.

It’s Not Just a Hobby

To succeed, you need a solid business strategy, complete with a plan, goals, and yes, financial investment. A virtual business might be the most cost-effective option, but remember – even that isn’t free.

4. Miracle Thinking Won’t Cut It in Business

Gone are the days (if they ever existed) when posting a pretty graphic on Facebook was enough to bring in clients. You need to invest in yourself at a much deeper level to truly connect with women and establish yourself as a leader.

Consistency is Key

Start showing up consistently on social media now. Do live broadcasts, practice delivering your message, and learn from the reactions. Once you’ve built some confidence, it’s time to consider paid advertising to expand your reach.

Avoid Wishful Thinking

For a deeper dive into this topic, check out my podcast episode on wishful thinking. It’s a game-changer for many starting out in this field.

5. Overcoming Self-Doubt is Easier Than You Think

Here’s a secret: we all have self-doubt, myself included. Every time I launch a new program or share controversial content, that little voice pipes up. But here’s the thing – if you didn’t have any self-doubt, I’d be worried you weren’t doing this work from your heart.

Build Your Support System

Learning to overcome self-doubt is precisely why you need a strong support system as a professional. It’s the main reason I created the Non-Diet Coaching Certification program. Having other coaches and professionals in your corner when you want to hide or back away is invaluable.

Your Anti-Diet Coach Journey Is Unique

Remember, your journey as an anti-diet coach is unique. These insights are here to guide you, but your passion and dedication are what will truly set you apart. Trust in yourself, keep learning, and never be afraid to reach out for support. The world needs more coaches like you who are ready to challenge the status quo and help women find true health and happiness beyond dieting.

So, are you ready to embark on this exciting journey as an anti-diet coach? The path may not always be easy, but I promise you, it’s incredibly rewarding. Let’s change the world, one client at a time!

Ready to Get Started as an Anti-Diet Coach?

You can access all of our services on our work with us page. We have a number of programs and service levels enabling us to serve most women:

Free Resources and Masterclasses: Get started and get to know us better!

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Welcome!

I’m Stephanie Dodier

Non-Diet Nutritionist & Coach

I teach and coach women how to break free from the socialized thinking of diet culture and liberate yourself from unrelenting pressure to be thinner so that you can eat in a way that truly supports your well-being and start living the life you’ll look back on with no regrets.

Join me in leading the feminist health coaching revolution!

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