Why I want to reframe 'weight loss' (and I'd love if if you did too)

Amy Donovan (BNatMed)
May 9
4 min read

Let’s get straight to the point: you are not here to shrink into invisibility.

You are here to take up space, feel strong, and feel damn good in your body — now and for decades to come.

Most weeks in clinic, I’m having the same conversation on repeat. So I thought, why not write about it so it's all documented 😅

Women confess that they want to “lose a bit of weight,” “tone up,” or “slim down.” Sometimes their weight is whispered like a guilty secret, other times it's fired off like a desperate SOS. (By the way, I do not ask my client's weight unless this is of importance to them.)

And I get it — the pressure is real, hormones can mean lots of change, the mean girl in our head can be ruthless, and society has sold us a thousand versions of what our bodies should look like.

But what if we zoomed out a little and stopped trying to micromanage the number on the scale? 🤔

What if instead of obsessing over shrinking, we focused on getting stronger, feeling more energized, and actually understanding what’s happening under the surface at a physiological level (blood tests don't lie, people!)?

I'm fizzing about shifting the weight loss to convos about body composition and the health of metabolism - not just shedding pounds, but preserving muscle, accessing stored fat for fuel, balancing your blood sugar, and ultimately supporting your body like the capable-of-anything queen she is 💪👑

✨ Fat as Fuel

Not just for that one keto friend who won't stop talking about how it's changed their life 🥱🤭

Instead of constantly trying to out-cardio your last snack, let’s teach your body to burn fat like the efficient machine it was designed to be. This is called metabolic flexibility — your ability to switch between fuel sources (glucose and fat) without crashing harder than a toddler that skipped naptime.

By reducing refined sugars and managing your carb intake strategically, you give your body the chance to access stored fat, not just panic-burn through the pasta you had for lunch.

The result?

More stable energy, fewer cravings, less hangry decision-making.

🧠✨Think: calm, balanced, brain-on-fire brilliance — not caffeine-fueled chaos.

💪 Muscle: Your metabolic powerhouse

If you’ve ever said

“I just want to tone up,” what you really mean is:

“I want more muscle and less fat.”

Muscle is essential. It keeps your metabolism humming, supports balance and mobility, and gives you the strength to lift toddlers, groceries, get up off the couch, and that giant box of feelings we all carry around.

Here's the kicker: when people diet without strategy, they lose muscle - not just fat.

That’s a hard pass from me 🫸🚫

Instead, we prioritize strength training, protein intake, and muscle preservation so you’re not just a smaller version of your stressed-out self - you’re a stronger, more energized one.

PS: This is where protein powder, creatine, magnesium, and other metabolic nutrient magic strut onto the stage. These aren’t just “gym bro” supplements - they’re tools for women who want to lift, move, live, and age with confidence.

🔥 Chronic inflammation & Insulin: The quiet saboteurs

Here’s the not-so-sexy truth: chronic inflammation and poor insulin sensitivity can wreck one's energy, mood, hormones, sleep, and long-term health.

And no, the answer isn’t another low-calorie meal plan.

Instead, we turn to real-food nutrition, movement that calms your nervous system, better sleep, and blood sugar-friendly meals that work with your hormones, not against them.

When we reduce inflammation, balance insulin, and stabilize blood sugar, we unlock that elusive feeling of "I feel like myself again," and often, the healthy body composition changes happen along the way.

That’s the goal!

🥑 Eat to nourish (not punish)

Repeat after me: eating is not the enemy.

Your body needs fuel, especially if you’re juggling a million roles, managing stress, and actually trying to show up for life.

Instead of “eating less to weigh less,” I'm teaching my clients to eat smart to feel strong. That means whole foods, consistent protein, slow-burning complex carbs, healthy fats, and a mindset that doesn’t treat food like a moral issue.

You know, we are the only species on Earth that feels guilt, shame, and emotional chaos over what we eat. You don’t see a lion spiraling over her calorie count after a zebra feast. No other animal questions their lunch choices, debates macros, or declares they’ve been “bad” because they had dessert. It’s wild when you think about it.

Eating is supposed to be nourishing, not nerve-wracking.

It’s time to rewrite that script.

When you fuel your body with intention and enjoy your food without shame, you give yourself the freedom to feel well, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

This also means tuning in - asking what your body needs, honouring hunger, and feeding yourself in ways that support not just your goals but your mental clarity, hormones, and mood.

This is where some journaling can work wonders - start asking yourself some questions about your relationship with food and write it out, e.g.

What are your earliest food memories?

What was your parents' relationship to food like?

Are there other areas of your life you would like to shift the focus to instead of food?

Ready to rethink it all with me?

I am almost always recommending key blood tests to be performed (a few that your GP likely won't have ordered for you before, but many are seeing increasing benefit in testing, and this is an area I love supporting my clients with).

As I mentioned earlier, these don't lie and can often offer keys to doors that an oversimplified old view of calories in: calories out model just won't open.

If you’re over the dieting hamster wheel and ready to work with your body (instead of trying to “fix” it), I’d love to support you.

Whether you’re curious about strength training, want help figuring out protein, or need guidance on balancing your hormones while actually eating satisfying meals, this is your invitation.

👉 Book a session or reach out for a free discovery call - let’s start shifting the story from “weight loss” to real health, real strength, and real energy.