On this episode of It’s Beyond The Food, I had the pleasure of talking with Coach Candy Wright about her courageous shift from 40 years of dieting to embracing a weight-neutral approach. Her story is a powerful example of the freedom that comes when we challenge societal norms and reclaim our relationship with our bodies.
Why Dieting Was the Norm for 40 Years
Candy shared that her introduction to dieting began at just 11 years old. Early experiences with fatphobia, combined with societal pressures, convinced her that her value was tied to weight.
For decades, dieting was a way of life. Candy’s coaching business also aligned with diet culture, focusing on emotional eating and weight loss. Despite her professional success, she felt disconnected from her values.
“I knew deep down something wasn’t right. My soul felt out of alignment,” Candy admitted.
The Turning Point: Finding Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size
The change began when Candy discovered the books Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size. These resources planted the seeds for her transformation.
Shortly after, she joined my program, where she began unlearning internalized diet culture. One of her pivotal realizations was recognizing the depth of her internalized fatphobia. This mindset had not only shaped her personal life but also influenced her professional coaching.
Candy revealed, “I didn’t even realize how much diet culture had shaped my beliefs. It was so ingrained that it felt normal.”
From 40 Years of Dieting to a Weight-Neutral Revolution: The Courage to Let Go of Weight Loss
One of Candy’s biggest challenges was moving away from the idea that weight loss was essential for health or self-worth. This shift required her to face long-held fears and beliefs about her body.
She also confronted societal expectations, especially in the coaching industry, where aligning services with weight loss is often encouraged for profitability.
Candy explained, “We’re told that coaching tied to weight loss sells more. It’s hard to break away from that when the entire system supports it.”
From Resistance to Acceptance
Candy acknowledged that her resistance to letting go of dieting stemmed from deeper emotional wounds. Through coaching and self-reflection, she traced the roots of her dieting behaviors to childhood experiences.
At 11, she was told she would be more lovable if she lost weight. Positive reinforcement from adults fueled her belief that thinness equaled love and acceptance. This revelation allowed Candy to release these old beliefs and embrace a new way of thinking.
From 40 Years of Dieting to a Weight-Neutral Revolution: Living a Weight-Neutral Life
Today, Candy’s perspective on health and well-being has completely shifted. She no longer ties her self-worth to the number on a scale or the size of her body. Instead, she focuses on behaviors that support her overall well-being, like movement she enjoys and honoring her body’s needs.
Candy’s coaching has also evolved. She now helps her clients break free from diet culture and embrace a weight-neutral approach to health. Her work focuses on building a deeper connection with one’s body and fostering self-compassion.
Lessons from Candy’s Transformation
Candy’s story reminds us that unlearning decades of conditioning is not a quick fix. It requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to challenge deeply rooted beliefs.
She emphasized, “It’s about learning to trust your body and finding freedom in accepting yourself as you are.”
Candy’s journey is an inspiring example of what’s possible when we choose to let go of societal expectations and redefine health on our terms.
What you’ll learn listening to this episode of From 40 Years of Dieting to a Weight-Neutral Revolution:
- How internalized fatphobia shapes our beliefs and behaviors.
- Why tying health to weight loss is harmful and limiting.
- The freedom that comes with adopting a weight-neutral approach.
- Practical steps to challenge diet culture and embrace self-acceptance.
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