One thing I have learned over the past two years watching the world collapse on itself like a dying star—people believe what they want, irrespective of the evidence. It takes the ultimate sales pitch to convince someone otherwise, and a salesman I am not. Allow me to elaborate…
“Correlation does not equal causation,” was the mantra drilled into me as a dietetic student. Why was this concept so important? Because people tend to correlate their experiences with broad based truths to apply to all people of all populations. Undoubtedly you have encountered this phenomenon whether you realize it or not. It is the person who lost weight following a [Keto, Vegan, Plant-Based, Low-Carb, MLM Supplement Plan…etc.] who then preached like a cult leader the benefits and need for everyone to follow that plan to cure their diseases, lose weight, and solve all their problems. Those in the science community know, however, that correlation does not equal causation, or rather, just because something appears to be related to another thing, does not mean that thing caused the other thing (or cured the other thing). Therefore, scientists study and research hypothesis—to come to a sensible conclusion regarding an idea or theory.
Unfortunately, this type of research and studying is not what the average person cares to investigate before adopting a new plan or ideology regarding health, nutrition, fitness, and weight-loss. Over the years I have found it more frustrating than anything trying to convince people there is a way to live life to the fullest, free of rules and cult-like dogmas regarding diet, but it’s just not something most people are open to hearing. They want meal plans and lists of “to-dos”. I suspect much of this has to do with the aversion to owning personal responsibility for choices. If someone gives me a plan or tells me what to do and I don’t get the results I’m expecting, it’s their fault, not mine. My coaching style has always been to teach and enable my clients to think for themselves, to share current research with them and enable them to make decisions sustainable for their lifestyle and preferences. I have never advocated for “diets” or elimination of food groups. But this type of coaching is often a losing battle in an industry saturated with promises of quick fixes and miracle diets. People want instant results, not slow and progressive lifestyle change.
I became so invested in my client’s health and outcomes, dedicating hours upon hours of research to provide each one with specific recommendations to fit their needs, I found myself too emotionally invested with very little to show for it as years of fad diets and the bombarding of social media fitness/diet influencers proved much louder a voice then my own. I erroneously believed that if I achieved higher education, got more letters after my name, people would find more credibility in the research and recommendations I shared. Eventually I came to understand that it didn’t matter how many letters I had after my name or how much knowledge and experience I had, in this industry what I really need was the persistence of a car salesmen, who cares most about the sale, not about the individual. And I just couldn’t bring myself to do be that person. I am not in the business of convincing people or arguing with people about things. I don’t have the energy for it for many reasons.
After months of soul-searching and prayer, I decided to end my coaching business and
change my major from Nutrition and Dietetics to Accounting
and help my husband (administratively) run his business (a big change in direction!). I also accepted a job in bookkeeping and accounts at a local non-profit. Yes, that meant many credit hours “wasted” toward a degree I will never earn. But I don’t consider it “wasted” because what I studied has helped me learn and grow in my own fitness and nutrition choices and has helped me accomplish things I never thought possible. It has given me the tools necessary to train for exciting new goals while maintain sanity and enjoying life and food. I am content with that and feel a great sense of relief not feeling the need to defend scientific principles or convince others what research shows. “You do you,” as the saying goes.
With that being said, I do feel led to share my heart and experiences on a more personal (not business) level. No sales, nothing to buy. Just my experiences with childhood obesity, eating disorders, chronic illness, weight-loss, weight-cycling, weight management, and more. How that shaped the decision to pursue nutrition science in the first place, and how the pursuit of knowledge has changed my life for the better.
My goal with this blog is to encourage you, the reader, and provide a place of understanding where you will be met where you are in your journey—not chided for all the things you’re doing “wrong”. I will always include the research I’ve used to reach the conclusions I have, along with my experiences and what I’ve learned through them. I will share what has worked for me and what hasn’t and allow you the freedom to choose what you want to try for yourself. I am not selling anything anymore because all I have ever wanted to do is help others find freedom and it has always been hard for me to accept money for it. Writing has been a passion of mine since I was a young child, and this is the way I feel I can best accomplish the goal of helping others.
I hope you will follow me on this new journey, and if you ever read something helpful here, you will decide to share it with someone else who may benefit from it!
If you are on social media, I strongly encourage you to follow the following science and evidence-based leaders in the nutrition and fitness industry, who base their recommendations on current research and always provide sources for the advice they give. And yes, they all have letters after their names, if that means anything to you. None of them promote fad diets or crazy restrictions. Their focus is freedom from the fear and misinformation surrounding nutrition and exercise.
Finally, if you are new here, you can read about my weight-loss journey and how I have maintained that weight loss without restricting or giving up my favorite foods here.
Rebecca was a Precision Nutrition Certified Nutrition Coach, an A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer, an A.C.E.Fitness Nutrition Specialist, an A.C.E. Sports Conditioning Specialist, and an A.C.E. Youth Fitness Specialist. She first earned her Personal Training certification with A.C.E. (American Council on Exercise) in 2002. She has been in and out of the "Health & Fitness" industry for nearly two decades. She also spent two years as a dietetic student at ASU & EMCC. She now blogs about her experiences with the health and fitness industry, eating disorders, lifestyle modification, weight loss, and nutrition for chronic disease, wellness, and longevity.
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