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WHAT PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT MAINTAINING WEIGHT LOSS
There will always be periods of time, whether it’s weeks, months, or years, where you may not be able to maintain your leanest or fittest point, and that’s normal. But if you take time to build foundational skills and habits, you can keep that maintenance range in a place that feels good to you. And you can always return to some of those more time-intensive skills and practices when capacity allows.
HAVING A COACH THROUGH “MAINTENANCE MODE”: INSURANCE FOR LONG TERM NUTRITIONAL SUCCESS
A maintenance phase is arguably the most important season of our nutrition since it’s where we can best focus on the habits that help us find harmony with our physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Without the prioritization of changing our bodies, the other aspects of our lives that we value can better be at the forefront. However, that doesn’t mean that body composition can’t remain in the periphery. The foundational habits that we develop before or alongside a focused fat loss phase, with the goal of long-term physical change, continuously support small aesthetic changes over time.
3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR MEALS MORE FILLING: MACRO-FRIENDLY TIPS FOR SATIETY
If you’re in a calorie deficit and working towards fat loss goals, a main goal should be minimizing any feelings of restriction or hunger so you can maximize adherence to your deficit. This is why we, as coaches, take a strong stance against aggressive and unsustainable deficits. If our hunger is through the roof each day, it’s not very likely that we’ll be able to adhere to that calorie deficit for long. Luckily, there are tools that can help us minimize hunger and, luckily, those same tools also keep us well-fueled and promote our overall health as well.
WHY YOU SHOULD DITCH THE SCALE WHEN WORKING TOWARDS WEIGHT LOSS GOALS
I think we all technically know that our weight is just an arbitrary number on a device that doesn't mean that much, but it can still be difficult to let go of the anxiety and frustration that this number sometimes carries. It's easy to step on the scale and either feel proud when we see the number has decreased or hopeless when it hasn't. This is because we have this idea that the number on the scale equates to our self-worth. Rather than just suggesting that you don't let the number on the scale bother you, I want to delve deeper into how we can utilize the number on the scale as a measure of progress alongside other metrics, or how we can step away from the scale entirely -- and how to decide which option is best for us.
SIGNS YOU NEED TO REVERSE DIET: NAVIGATING CALORIE DEFICITS, MAINTENANCE, AND MORE
As someone who reentered the dating world a few years ago, I never fully understood the concept of red flags. And then, suddenly, I understood the dialogue. It seemed like I was in a parade, and red flags were readily available and in abundance. But dating doesn't have the monopoly on red flags. Our bodies often wave a giant red flag in front of us, and we seem to be colorblind to it. But I want to draw your attention to calorie deficit red flags, how a reverse diet can address those red flags, and whether a reverse diet may be appropriate for you.
THE INS AND OUTS OF INTERMITTENT FASTING: TRACKING MACROS, APPETITE MANAGEMENT, AND IF FOR MENOPAUSE
There is quite a bit of misinformation behind the idea of intermittent fasting. Some sources claim that it is the ‘best’ way to pursue fat loss, others boast mental clarity, and some boldly imply that it is as simple as skipping breakfast and then getting abs. The truth is that we all practice IF to some extent; when we sleep, we are fasting. This period of fasting is important for helping regulate blood lipids and blood pressure, reducing inflammation markers, and stimulating metabolism (all totally normal processes in our bodies). The claim that IF is a helpful fat loss strategy stems from these benefits, but doesn’t mean it’s the magic pill you’ve been looking for.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY IN A CALORIE DEFICIT? EXPLORING CALORIE DEFICIT RED FLAGS
There is so much nuance in talking about the topic of a calorie deficit. From navigating a deficit in a sustainable way to recognizing if your body is even ready for a deficit, there are so many different factors to consider.
WHY YOUR NUTRITION NEEDS AN OFF-SEASON: PERIODIZING OUR APPROACH TO NUTRITION FOR LONG TERM FAT LOSS, PERFORMANCE, AND HEALTH GOALS
It’s just as important to develop strategies for times when you don’t have the capacity for laser focus as it is to maintain consistency when you’re aggressively pursuing a goal. Maybe even more so, because you will have times in your life where your nutrition-related goals have to take a back seat.
MAINTENANCE PHASES: WHY YOU NEED THEM & HOW WE CAN ADDRESS METABOLIC ADAPTATION
When considering fat loss, the number one thing we talk about is energy balance. In order to lose fat, it’s necessary to eat a calorie deficit (eating less calories than you expend). However, our bodies aren’t made to exist in a calorie deficit forever. Enter: the maintenance phase.
HIGH VOLUME VS. NUTRIENT DENSE: ADJUSTING FOOD CHOICES TO YOUR APPETITE AND NEEDS
One part of our nutrition that I think can be really empowering is learning to address appetite through the typical ebbs and flows of life. This means when we’re sick, hot, busy, etc. and appetite is low (or gone completely); and when we’re more active or a little munchy and appetite is higher than normal. In either of these situations, knowledge of our nutrition allows us to tailor our food choices to how we’re feeling, so we can still honor our hunger and fullness cues and continue to fuel ourselves well.
A DEEP DIVE INTO METABOLIC ADAPTATION
In most general cases, we think of metabolism as the processes that convert food and drink into energy that we can use. It’s a hot topic in today’s nutrition sphere as it so closely correlates to fat loss and dieting, but in a broader sense, our human metabolisms are all of the processes that work in our cells to keep us alive, down to the cellular level.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO YOUR NUTRITION GOALS: THE BASICS OF NUTRITION FOR FAT LOSS, PERFORMANCE, AND OVERALL HEALTH GOALS
If you want to reduce your body fat percentage, build muscle mass, reach a goal weight, or improve strength in the gym, tailoring your nutrition to your goals is absolutely essential to achieving those goals.
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF RESTRICTION: HOW TO CREATE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD AND YOUR NUTRITION
The cycle of perpetual restriction can look like throwing away the cookies your friend just brought over because you know that if you have just one, you'll spiral into eating every sweet treat in the pantry. It can look like not even keeping those “scary” foods in the house because you've labeled yourself as someone with no control. It can also look like an entire inner dialogue of categorizing “good” foods and “forbidden” foods and promising ourselves we'll only eat “clean” while also ignoring the fact we've never succeeded at this game in the past.
ALL ABOUT PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS: CHOOSING THE BEST PROTEIN POWDER FOR YOU
Protein is one of the harder macronutrients to incorporate into our diet because it generally requires storage and prep time and therefore it can be less convenient. However, protein powder is super convenient! There are A LOT of different types and brands of protein powder out there, and it can be confusing to know which protein powder you should buy. Here is how to choose the right protein powder for you and a list of some of our favorites!
RECOGNIZING PHYSICAL VS. PSYCHOLOGICAL (EMOTIONAL) HUNGER & WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Recognizing our hunger cues and the impact our environment can have on those cues is especially important for goals related to our nutrition. Establishing a difference between physical and psychological hunger is the first line of defense against any feelings of guilt, shame, or regret surrounding our food choices.
4 COMMON NUTRITION MISTAKES WE MAKE
After over seven years working as an online nutrition coach (and years in the fitness industry before this!), I want to share four major nutrition mistakes we often see as coaches working 1:1 with our clients. These mistakes aren’t because our clients are uninformed or wrong; they’re just often things we have been told (incorrectly) most of our lives.
WHAT IS DIET CULTURE? A REVIEW OF DIET CULTURE, DIETS, AND DIETING
Diet culture is a system that places value on our weight and size over our health. Diet culture is supported by a multi-billion dollar industry that pushes weight loss through every medium possible. Diet culture tells men, women, and children that they are not small enough, strong enough, or lean enough. DIET CULTURE IS HARD TO IGNORE. Anti-diet culture is not the same thing as anti-dieting, and let’s talk about why.
changing your habits in your sixties: changing nutrition needs with age
I’ve been my dad’s nutrition coach for a little over two years now and while working with ALL of my clients is rewarding, working with my dad has been especially rewarding in its own way. And while you may think I’m here to boast about how I’ve helped my dad lose a bunch of weight and finally get back to his high school football weight and body composition, I’m actually here to tell you that he hasn’t changed much physically and hasn’t really lost any weight at all.
AM I READY FOR A FAT LOSS PHASE?
We already know that a calorie deficit is the most important factor at play when it comes to pursuing fat loss goals. But, for most, staying in a consistent calorie deficit is a lot more challenging (and far more complex) than just “eating less and moving more.” One roadblock I see hindering progress over and over is not being in the right place to commit to these goals from the start.
WHY YOUR NUTRITION COACH IS TALKING ABOUT STRENGTH TRAINING
Individuals who strength train gain muscle, lose fat, look leaner, improve their health, and are more athletic than the general population. The reason we talk about strength training as nutrition coaches is because, alongside digging into our nutrition more, adding resistance training can aid in the pursuit of these goals.
why weight loss will not fix you & fat loss is not therapy
Many of us believe that the smaller we are the more acceptable we are. And the smaller we are the happier we are. But here’s the thing: Weight loss isn't therapy. Therapy with a licensed mental health practitioner is therapy.
REMOVING GUILT AND SHAME FROM OUR FOOD CHOICES
For many, our nutrition history has been very confusing. There has been so much right or wrong thrown our way via marketing; so many “good” foods and “bad” foods as decided by some particular fad within diet culture; fleeting trends with changing definitions of what’s right and wrong; and certain thoughts and feelings we’ve attached to certain food choices. So, how do we go about breaking these habits of guilt and shame around our food choices?
REACHING YOUR SUMMER FAT LOSS GOALS: HOT GIRL SUMMER STARTS NOW
What if we acknowledged that you can still have your “hot girl (or guy) summer” WHILE starting to initiate the changes you may desire to make starting NOW? And what if I told you that as you begin those changes NOW, you may be able to develop multiple hot girl summers in a row without a quick fix?
MEDICATION AND YOUR FAT LOSS GOALS
One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to eliminate the fixed mindset that medication means weight gain, and to instead shift our focus to prioritizing our mental health so that our physical health can follow. We need to reprioritize and recognize that the benefits of stable mental health outweigh the desire to lose weight.
WHY WE STRESS EAT: A PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE, NOT A WILLPOWER PROBLEM
I believe it can be really helpful to understand what our body’s physiological response to stress looks like and how it relates to food (including digging into why stress eating can feel so good). From there, we can get into a few practical exercises to help manage our physiological response to stress to help interrupt the physical urge to stress eat.
MEAL PLANS DON’T WORK, AND HERE’S WHY…
Here at KLN, we don’t do meal plans. A meal plan doesn’t give you an alternative when it’s girls night, when you’re out for drinks after work, or when you’re on the road with your family. Most of all, a meal plan doesn’t take into account that life is chaotic and constantly changing.
WHY A MAINTENANCE PHASE IS ESSENTIAL TO LONG TERM FAT LOSS PROGRESS
When considering fat loss, the number one thing we talk about is energy balance. In order to lose fat, it’s necessary to eat a calorie deficit (eating less calories than you expend). However, our bodies aren’t made to exist in a calorie deficit forever.
HOW SLEEP AND STRESS IMPACT FAT LOSS
Elevated stress levels and lack of adequate sleep can mess with the regulation of hormones that impact hunger levels and fat loss rate, and can also lead to mood problems that impact decision-making skills. This can create a one-two punch that makes fat loss much, much harder than it needs to be.
WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS ARE NORMAL: SHOULD YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE SCALE?
This fixation with the scale is a pattern we see with clients often. It’s natural, but it’s also preventable. Rather than just suggesting that you don’t let the number on the scale bother you, today’s post dives a little deeper into how you can make the most of this (often inaccurate) measure of progress and other ways to determine the true changes you are experiencing on your fat loss journey.
PSA: MOST OF YOUR CALORIES AREN’T BURNED IN THE GYM
Most of the calories we burn in a given day aren’t during our workouts, and the majority of the differences in most people’s activity levels are unlikely to be just from that hour or so most of us are used to spending in the gym.