WTF Is My Natural Weight?!
Have you ever heard the term ‘natural weight’ or ‘healthy weight’ floating around? Let’s dive into to discuss what this actually means from a weight-inclusive, Health At Every Size© (HAES) philosophy?
WTF Is My “Natural Weight?”
A client asked me this the other day [so big shout-out to my Golden Girl for kick-starting this blog post!]
Your 'natural' or 'healthy' weight, is a term that to me, means weight-inclusivity. It means allowing your body to discover it’s ‘natural weight’ without relying on the scale, a size or BMI to determine it for you.
According to a study called The Weight-Inclusive versus Weight-Normative Approach to Health: Evaluating the Evidence for Prioritizing Well-Being over Weight Loss, the data indicates that the weight-normative approach, which primarily focuses on weight as a measure of health, is not effective for most individuals. This approach often leads to high rates of weight regain and cycling after weight loss interventions, which negatively impact health and well-being. Additionally, the weight-normative approach may perpetuate stigma in healthcare and society, and this weight stigma is also associated with adverse health outcomes.
On the other hand, the data support a weight-inclusive approach (which supports finding your natural weight) as seen in models like Health at Every Size (HAES). This approach shows promise in improving various aspects of health, including physical indicators like blood pressure, behavioural aspects like binge eating, and psychological factors like depression. It also promotes the acceptance of public health messages.
Based on the data, the weight-inclusive approach is considered more beneficial as it upholds principles of “doing no harm” and beneficence (promoting well-being), while the weight-normative approach does not achieve the same positive outcomes.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re tired of the constant pressure to attain a certain body size or weight. So keep reading as I have good news!
Embracing your natural weight can lead to a journey that frees you from diet culture while allowing you to feel more at ease and aligned with your body than ever before. Finding your natural weight is not only achievable, but it also promises simplicity and alignment with your body's true needs. Here are some top tips from AfterGlow for empowering your personal discovery of your natural weight (and all the liberating & lasting health benefits it offers!)
Release the Pressure
Say goodbye to the relentless pressure imposed by society's unrealistic beauty standards. Discovering your natural weight means shedding the burden of trying to fit into a predetermined mold. Instead, you'll embark on a journey that embraces your unique body and celebrates its individuality. It's about letting go of the notion that you must look a certain way to be worthy and learning to love yourself unconditionally.
Embrace Simplicity
No more complicated diet plans, calorie counting, or exhausting exercise regimens. Finding your natural weight is about simplifying your approach to health and nutrition. It means honouring your body's innate wisdom and nourishing it with foods that genuinely make you feel good. Embracing simplicity allows you to focus on enjoying food without guilt or restriction, fostering a healthy relationship with what you eat.
[Re]trust Your Body
Your body holds the key to unlocking its natural weight. By tuning in and listening to its cues, you'll be surprised at how effortlessly it leads you to a weight where you feel your best. Intuitive eating becomes your guide, empowering you to recognize hunger and fullness signals and choose foods that align with your body's needs.
Find Alignment
Discovering your natural weight is all about finding alignment with your body and mind. It's about being in sync with your true self and prioritizing your well-being over external expectations. As you embrace your natural weight, you'll experience a newfound sense of peace and harmony with your body, leading to greater overall happiness, confidence & satisfaction on your health journey.
“Finding your natural weight is not only achievable, but it also promises simplicity and alignment with your body's true needs.”
Ange Helie | Founder of AfterGlow Lifestyle Coaching
The Glow Effect:
Embracing your natural weight is a transformative journey that brings simplicity, ease, and alignment into your life. It's about recognizing that your worth is not defined by a number on a scale, but by the love and acceptance you have for yourself. As you embark on this empowering path, remember that finding your natural weight is within your grasp, and it promises a life of authenticity, self-love, and genuine well-being.
Ready to say goodbye to weight loss obsession and hello to real health, where your weight is a natural byproduct of nourishing your body, nurturing your mind, and embracing your body?? Book your FREE session to learn more about how AfterGlow can help you achieve a sustainable, enjoyable & nourishing lifestyle with food and body freedom.
