Is weight loss the new smoking? That’s the question bouncing around social media in recent years. For decades, everyone seemed to agree that weight loss and being in a smaller body were good things. These days, though? Not so much.

With the rising popularity of the intuitive eating, body positivity, and healthy at every size (HAES) movement, the topic of intentionally losing weight has become super controversial. To add to that, many people are coming forward and sharing how weight loss has caused far more harm than good. While many of us like the idea of being in a more petite body, our biology doesn’t seem to like it as much. For years, we have known that weight loss leads to a slower metabolism and out-of-whack hunger and fullness hormones. To top that off, the neural circuitry in your brain fights weight loss in two ways: 1) it makes food more rewarding than before weight loss, and 2) the part of the brain that regulates food restraint becomes less active. Oof.

The question is valid. If weight loss is good for our health, why does it backfire so badly? Truth be told, I don’t have all the answers yet. But, as an evidence-based dietitian, my job is to follow the science and evaluate the evidence for and against weight loss. While in California, Amy and I had a lot of extensive conversations about it. After spending hours digging through the evidence and evaluating both sides of the argument, we came up with our stand on the matter.

We believe that:

• Weight loss is not always a bad thing.
• Weight loss is not *always* a good thing either.
• Trying to be as thin as possible should not be the goal.
• ‘Healthy’ has many different looks.
• Focusing on healthy habits is far more powerful than just focusing on weight.
• You probably don’t have to lose those “last 5 pounds.”
• Weight is NOT synonymous with health. Is a woman in a larger body who eats a nutritious diet, has a healthy relationship with food, and loves to bike, walk, and do HIIT exercises automatically unhealthy? Is a thin woman who smokes 2 packs per day and eats one meal a day to remain “tiny” healthy?
• We believe that everyone has a happy and healthy weight, and we want to help you find it.

Being so heavy that you can’t move or have trouble breathing doesn’t sound great. Obsessing over the last 5 pounds and micromanaging every morsel of food you eat to be “skinny” is no way to live either. We believe in inclusive, body-positive, and compassionate wellness. We will never push weight loss on anyone, but we support those who want to (in a sustainable, evidence-based, and all-foods-fit-approach).

Can you imagine living a life free of food drama, toxic diet culture, and unattainable physical ideals? Can you picture finding a healthy and happy weight that allows you to enjoy life and supports your physical and mental well-being? 

I hope you can picture it because it IS possible and our mission is to help you get there. ❤️