DailyOM: Tell us how this weight loss course is holistic and unique compared to other programs.
Stephanie: This weight loss is holistic because it focuses on the body as a whole and how the entire body and mind are involved in weight loss. It is more than a diet or a workout plan or a lifestyle guide; it is an all-encompassing course designed to address you as a person and to see how you can step it up in different areas of your life to contribute to weight loss.
This course is unique compared to other programs because the food plan is not stringent or rigid; it's flexible for your unique lifestyle, schedule, and food tastes. The workout plan is not a one-size-fits-all; it's full of suggestions and modifications to really customize workouts to fit your lifestyle and your body. The mindset shifts promote positive self-talk, improved self-esteem, and overall self-love so that, from a place of self-care, you're able to maintain the changes you make in this course. Taking a holistic view of weight loss is what creates long-lasting success, because if you care about your body, value your body, and want to do good things for your body, then your changes are more likely to last.
DailyOM: You teach four pillars of health. What is one of those pillars?
Stephanie: One of the pillars of health that is often overlooked is the emotional pillar. Getting clear on your goal (what I call the spiritual pillar), focusing on your food (the nutritional pillar), and having a workout plan (the physical pillar) are all important. But looking at the emotional pillar and how your emotions drive your behaviors is really the missing link in other weight-loss programs. The emotional pillar addresses things like emotional eating, feeling unmotivated, the all-or-nothing mentality, and more.
Maybe you are used to coming home after a long day and ordering a pizza. Or maybe your nightly glass or two of wine is causing you to not sleep as well and wake up groggy the next morning. But you have the wine because it is the only way you know how to relax and it is a habit. Or maybe you reward yourself with cupcakes or ice cream if you do a good job with something. Whatever the reasons, the emotional pillar can help you or hurt you in terms of your weight-loss goals, so it is important to address all emotions in regards to healthy habits.
DailyOM: Shame and negative self-talk are issues that often come up for people who want to lose weight and get healthy. How do you help students overcome these kinds of concerns?
Stephanie: Negative self-talk is something that derails people from reaching their goals. I used to beat myself up for eating too many calories or skipping a workout, and guess where that got me. Back to my negative unhealthy habits and further away from my weight-loss goal. I used to be 25 pounds overweight and miserable. It was not until I changed my self-talk that I really was able to change my life.
Talking to yourself as if you are your own best friend, your own biggest fan, and your own cheerleader makes a transformative difference in your habits. And building healthy habits and staying consistent with healthy actions are what will help you reach your weight-loss goals faster. Instead of calling yourself a failure or beating yourself up for one or two unhealthy decisions, grant yourself grace, find freedom, and make the next choice a healthier one.
DailyOM: What types of practices and homework do you offer in this course?
Stephanie: The course offers workouts, eating tips, and a food plan, and also confidence-boosting exercises to improve self-esteem and positive self-talk. There are videos and written instructions, as well as reflection questions and anecdotes to work with you and for you on your weight-loss journey.
The confidence-boosting parts of this course are as important as the food and workout pieces. Having a well-rounded course full of different types of mental and physical exercises was very important to me because this is where we not only get results quickly but we get results that last for a lifetime.
DailyOM: Losing weight is one thing, but keeping it off can be even harder. Does this course help students sustain their weight loss?
Stephanie: Because we address the four pillars of holistic health, including the emotional pillar, this course is actually focused on sustaining weight loss after you reach your goal. It's not a quick fix or a get-thin-fast course; instead it is a course designed to create healthy habits both mentally and physically so that you get lasting results. Once you learn your emotional triggers and identify your negative self-talk, it will be very hard to forget what you learned about yourself and go back to your old ways!
In my experience, it's truly the people who commit to understanding themselves better and building a better relationship with themselves who see the long-lasting results. This is why I don't like giving food tips or workout tips without an emotional component included — this way, the individual gets to know themselves better and can identify pitfalls, negative habits, and negative self-talk. You're able to catch yourself and make a shift before you misstep.
DailyOM: Thanks, Stephanie! This course motivates you to create a solid foundation for making the kinds of changes you want in your life, from weight loss to boosting your self-esteem. Until next time, be well.
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