Woman Gains 20 Pounds Following Influencers’ Diet Tips

Hailey Groski, a 28-year-old dietitian based in Los Angeles, unintentionally gained 20 pounds while following dietary advice from social media influencers. This experience, which began during her college years in 2016, led her to reevaluate her approach to nutrition and ultimately change her habits for sustainable weight loss.

During her sophomore year, Groski adopted the popular eating habits promoted by fitness influencers, including large bowls of oatmeal topped with peanut butter and salads accompanied by hummus. She believed these choices were healthy and aligned with her weight loss goals. However, she discovered that she was consuming hundreds of extra calories daily due to the calorie-dense nature of these foods.

“I was shocked because I was doing everything that we were told was right for weight loss, and I was exercising a lot too,” Groski told Business Insider. Despite her rigorous workout routine, which included training for two half marathons, she struggled to shed the weight.

Groski eventually learned that simply exercising was not enough to achieve her goals. The key realization came when she began to focus on her nutrition more critically. “The big unlock for me was not just eating healthy foods but eating healthy foods for weight loss,” she said. By tuning into her body’s hunger cues, Groski found a more effective way to manage her weight.

Lessons on Sustainable Weight Loss

Through her journey, Groski identified three major lessons about sustainable weight loss that she now shares with others.

The first lesson is to avoid outsourcing nutrition choices to external sources. Groski initially followed generic dietary recommendations from social media without considering her individual calorie needs, which vary based on factors like height, weight, and lifestyle. “I wasn’t doing it based on my own calorie needs,” she noted. This lack of personalization led to feelings of hunger and dissatisfaction.

The second lesson highlights the importance of tracking calories in the short term. While experts caution against obsessively counting calories, Groski found that using a calorie-tracking app for a limited time helped her understand which foods were higher in calories than she had realized. “It’s a great tool to educate yourself on calories, protein, fiber, different things like that,” she stated. By learning what a portion of food looked like in terms of calories, she was able to maintain a gentle calorie deficit.

The final lesson Groski learned is to create sustainable habits and practice self-compassion. After struggling with a rigid exercise schedule and strict dieting, she recognized that long-term success would come from developing habits she could maintain. This approach included maintaining a gentle calorie deficit when necessary and focusing on exercise for enjoyment rather than solely for appearance.

“I think it’s really important to bring that self-love throughout the entire process rather than being harsh on ourselves,” Groski advised. This mindset allowed her to enjoy life more fully while working towards her weight goals.

Today, Groski successfully maintains her weight without resorting to extreme dieting or excessive gym sessions. Her journey serves as a reminder that sustainable weight loss requires understanding, patience, and a personalized approach to nutrition.