As a nutritionist, I often find myself focusing on topics like increasing energy, establishing healthy habits, sharing recipe ideas, and recommending healthy products—yet, one of the most common health goals for many of my clients, weight loss, often remains unaddressed. I think this is something many of us in the nutrition field struggle with. But why do we avoid the topic of weight loss?
Weight loss can be an emotional topic, as it’s closely tied to body image, self-esteem, and social pressure. We’re encouraged to love our bodies, but what if we don’t feel good at our current size? Maybe playing with your kids has become hard, walking is painful, stairs are a challenge, and you feel low on energy, experience skin issues, or struggle with cravings. It’s no wonder weight loss is a top goal for many people, and there’s no denying that being at a healthy weight can help prevent serious diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even some cancers.
But weight loss isn’t as simple as "eat less, move more." It’s a deeply personal journey affected by many factors: your body type, age, sex, lifestyle, family dynamics, and even emotional eating patterns. Anyone can restrict calories for a short time, but the real challenge is finding a healthy, balanced lifestyle that works long-term. This is why the topic can feel so overwhelming, and why I think many nutritionists shy away from it—it’s complicated!
So, where do we begin?
Common Roadblocks to Weight Loss
When I work with clients on their weight loss journey, I usually start by looking at some key factors that may be standing in their way:
Consuming more calories than you think: It’s easy to underestimate portion sizes or forget about snacks.
Lack of daily physical activity: Movement throughout the day is essential, beyond just structured workouts.
Not strength training: Building muscle can significantly impact your metabolism.
Not measuring food: Eyeballing portions often leads to overeating.
Not prioritizing whole foods: Processed foods can add up in calories and lack essential nutrients.
Not enough protein: Protein is key for satiety and muscle maintenance.
Not accounting for liquid calories or cooking oils: These can sneak in extra calories without us realizing it.
Eating out too frequently: Restaurant portions and ingredients often exceed what you’d eat at home.
Relying on a regular scale: A body scan scale provides more detailed information, like muscle mass and body fat percentage.
Unrealistic expectations: Healthy, sustainable weight loss takes time.
Unsustainable strategies: If your plan isn’t something you can maintain long-term, it’s unlikely to result in lasting change.
Body Positivity & Health: Finding Your Balance
I firmly believe in body positivity and acceptance at any size. My goal is for my clients to feel and look their best, but more importantly, to be healthy. For me, “healthy” means that a client has found a balanced diet they can stick with long-term. They’re minimizing inflammatory foods like sugar and processed carbs, drinking plenty of water, and eating mostly whole, high-quality foods with fiber and balanced macronutrients.
A Holistic Approach to Weight Loss
As a holistic nutritionist, I always look at the whole picture. Once we’ve addressed diet, I consider the client’s lifestyle:
Time spent outdoors
Social life and relationships
Exercise and activity levels
Sleep routine
Alcohol intake
Stress levels
These elements play a significant role in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. After these lifestyle factors are in check, we focus on portion sizes and caloric intake. Sometimes, I recommend using a calorie-tracking app for the first few weeks, which can be an eye-opener for many clients. This isn’t about strict calorie counting forever, but about learning how different foods contribute to overall health and weight.
The Next Step: Micronutrients and Meal Timing
If my client is still struggling after improving their diet and lifestyle, I’ll assess their micronutrient levels—are they getting enough vitamin D, B12, calcium, magnesium, or iron? Sometimes, a deficiency in one of these nutrients can impact weight loss efforts. If needed, I suggest specific foods or supplements to address these imbalances.
Meal timing is another key factor. When we eat can affect energy levels, exercise performance, sleep, and ultimately, weight loss. Fine-tuning meal timing can make a significant difference, especially when progress stalls.
The Perimenopause and Menopause Factor
For women, hormonal shifts due to perimenopause and menopause can make weight loss incredibly challenging. This is a critical factor I address with clients in their mid-30s to 50s. When hormones are out of balance, it can impact everything from mood to metabolism. In these cases, I collaborate with my team of naturopaths at Sequence Wellness, who specialize in women’s hormone health. They’ll order the necessary tests to get a clearer picture of what’s going on and help guide the next steps.
In Conclusion: Sustainable, Personalized Weight Loss
Weight loss is complex and deeply personal. It’s about more than just numbers on a scale—it’s about creating a lifestyle that supports your health and well-being in a way that’s sustainable. That’s why I take a holistic approach, addressing diet, lifestyle, and even hormonal health when necessary.
It’s time to have more honest conversations about weight loss because, while it’s not easy, it’s a goal that can lead to profound changes in health, confidence, and quality of life. And as a nutritionist, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Book a FREE 15-minute Discovery call to learn more about how I can help you achieve your weight loss goal and feel and look your best.
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