What 9 Years of Weight Loss Coaching Taught Me as a Registered Dietitian
When I became a registered dietitian at Nutrition Awareness in Orlando, FL, I thought most of my work would be about food, supplements, and meal plans.
But that changed as soon as I saw one of my very first clients.
She was a busy mom in her late 30s, who came to me after years of dieting. She knew the calories in every food, had tried every program out there, and went to the gym every morning before 6 am.
But when she sat in my office, she burst into tears.
Her 8-year-old daughter had started asking, “Mom, am I fat like you?”
In that moment, it hit me: weight loss coaching is never just about food. It’s about how we talk to ourselves, how we pass those messages on to our kids, how we relate to our partners, and how much compassion we give ourselves along the way.
Here are 9 lessons about people, food, and weight loss that I’ll never forget:
1. Kids notice everything.
If mom hates her body, her daughter will probably hate hers, too. You’re her first role model of what it means to be a woman, so set the stage.
Moms: even when it’s hard, speak kindly about yourself in front of your kids.
Dads: support your wife out loud. Your kids are listening.
2. Perfectionism hides deeper pain.
I once had a client who refused to eat anything but salad in front of colleagues. When I asked why, it was because she was afraid they’d think she was “fat and gross” if she ate carbs.
When we obsess over food or our bodies, what we’re really doing is protecting ourselves from something scarier: being seen for who we really are- a flawed human.
Perfectionism isn’t about food. It’s a shield against vulnerability.
3. Discipline doesn’t guarantee control.
’ve coached surgeons, CEOs, marathon runners… all people with incredible discipline. And yet, many of them confessed they couldn’t stop once they opened a bag of chips.
The irony? They’re the hardest on themselves when it happens.
4. No one actually likes rice cakes.
Or egg whites. Or zucchini pretending to be pasta noodles. I can’t tell you how many people eat the low calorie alternative, just to binge on junk later in the day.
5. Food comments reveal insecurity.
One client’s mom would outwardly comment on her daughter’s healthy salmon entree, then gossiped about it with her sister! When I asked about the mom’s body image and self-esteem, my client admitted it was poor.
When people comment on your eating habits, it’s always about them (not you!)
6. Poop divides people.
In nutrition, you either get the clients who love talking about digestion in detail… or the ones who turn green if I even bring it up. There is no in-between.
7. Picky husbands = resentful wives.
I can’t tell you how many wives have vented about husbands who “won’t eat anything green.” It often breeds resentment.
A grown adult refusing healthy foods makes their partner’s health journey harder. At some point, you just have to grow up and eat the dang vegetable.
8. Kids who cook grow up healthier.
One of my favorite memories is a client sending me photos of her 10-year-old proudly cooking dinner for the family. Kids who learn to cook not only eat healthier but build self-confidence that lasts a lifetime.
9. Everyone is carrying something.
Weight is just one type of struggle. Some people fight with body image, others with mental health, relationships, or challenges you’d never guess from the outside.
No one has it easy. Compassion (for yourself and others) goes a long way.
Ready to start your journey?
If these lessons resonate with you and you’re tired of going at it alone, I’d love to help you.
I work one-on-one with clients to create a sustainable, compassionate approach to weight loss that actually fits your life. No gimmicks, no shame. Just real strategies that work long-term.
👉 Click here to book your first call with me and let’s get started.
