Rachel Feltman: Yo, what’s up, folks? It’s your girl Rachel Feltman here with Science Quickly. Today, we’re diving into the world of physical fitness. We’re gonna chat about disordered eating, intentional weight loss, and all that jazz.
You know how social media is, right? It’s packed with fitness influencers selling the dream of “bikini bodies” and pushing fat-burning cardio workouts, especially aimed at the ladies. But hey, there are also some cool peeps out there doing things a bit differently—slow and steady exercise, heavy lifting, and getting strong while eating more calories. Sounds interesting, right?
One of the big names in the femme lifting scene is writer Casey Johnston. She just dropped her book, “A Physical Education: How I Escaped Diet Culture and Gained the Power of Lifting,” and she’s here to spill the tea on how strength training can totally change the game when it comes to fitness, body image, and even your mindset.
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Alright, let’s dive in. Hey, Casey, thanks for joining us today!
Casey Johnston: Hey, thanks for having me!
Feltman: So, before you got into lifting, what were some misconceptions you had about strength training?
Johnston: Oh man, I had all the usual thoughts. I thought lifting weights would bulk me up in no time, and that it was only for super strong people like Olympic athletes or NFL players. I also thought muscle just sat there until you lost all your body fat, and then boom, muscles for days. But turns out, your body can actually lose muscle if you diet too hard, who knew?
Feltman: Interesting! So, what changed your mind about lifting?
Johnston: Well, I stumbled upon this Reddit post by a woman talking about her chill strength-training routine. She wasn’t some buff gym rat; she was just doing her thing, eating well, and feeling great. And she was getting results I could only dream of. It blew my mind that she was achieving so much with way less effort than I was putting in.
Feltman: Wow, that’s wild. So, what happened next in your lifting journey?
Johnston: I decided to give it a shot and fell in love with lifting. It felt amazing to have energy, eat well, and see real progress in my strength. Eventually, I started a column about strength training, wrote a newsletter, and now here I am, writing books and chatting with you!
Feltman: That’s awesome. What surprised you the most as you delved into the world of fitness and diet culture?
Johnston: The biggest shocker was how dieting messes with your body and mind. Constantly dieting can make you lose muscle, mess up your metabolism, and trap you in a cycle of weight loss and gain. Plus, I learned that denying cravings and obsessing over food isn’t the way to go. Eating more actually made my cravings disappear, who would’ve thought?
Feltman: Mind-blowing stuff, for sure. So, what do you think is missing or off in the way most people view fitness and wellness?
Johnston: I’d say there’s too much focus on hard work and suffering in the fitness world. The whole “no pain, no gain” mentality is outdated. Lifting taught me that rest and recovery are just as important as the workout itself. Your body needs time to repair and grow stronger, so pushing yourself to the limit every day is a recipe for burnout.
Feltman: Totally get that. And what have you learned about the human body that’s really fascinated you?
Johnston: I’ve come to realize how connected our bodies and minds are. The signals between our muscles and brains are crucial in shaping our experiences and emotions. Lifting helped me tune into these signals and understand how my body communicates with me. It’s a whole new level of self-awareness I never knew I was missing.
Feltman: So cool. Lastly, what advice do you have for folks looking to dip their toes into strength training and break free from the cardio grind?
Johnston: My advice? Dive into my book and beginner lifting program! They’re great for newbies looking to explore the world of lifting. But hey, I get it. It’s not easy to break free from old habits and beliefs about fitness. Just take it slow, be curious, and focus on your own experience. Your body is where you live, so why not make it a place you love?
And that’s a wrap for today, folks. Thanks for tuning in to Science Quickly. Catch you next time for an exclusive peek into the world of particle colliders. And hey, don’t forget to hit up our listener survey for a chance to score some sweet SciAm swag. See you soon!
