Stuck in a cycle to lose weight to try and fit into a norm? Have doctors been weight-shaming you? Body Positivity. It is a hot topic. But, what does it really encompass? Dr. Lisa Folden sets us off on her journey with diet culture that started as early as 12 years old! She speaks about when her perspectives started shifting and how we can change the narrative behind diet labels in the next generation. She describes how you can determine what “healthy” is and how healthcare providers or coaches can preach health at every size while talking about sensitive topics (e.g optimal diet, movement…). Moreover, Dr. Lisa takes a deep dive into her best tips to finding food freedom and setting up an environment that respects your child’s intuitive eating. She also, explains how you can refocus your health goals, the stigmas she still faces, how you can actually get to body positivity. A larger body doesn’t equate to being unhealthy. It’s the behaviors, lifestyle, awareness, and intention that matter. Learn how to optimize your health at any size with Dr. Lisa Folden!
2:59 – Lisa’s story & diet culture
5:36 – When did Lisa’s perspective on diet culture shift?
7:31 – Changing the diet label for the next generation
10:43 – How do you determine what healthy is?
12:58 – Sensitive topics & still preaching for health at every size.
16:37 – Steps to getting to food freedom
23:36 – Guiding children to be more intuitive
25:36 – Reframing labels & modeling behavior as parents
28:43 – Re-focusing your goals
32:07 – Has Lisa faced stigmas?
36:55 – How do you get to body positivity?
41:33 – Learn more with Dr. Lisa
Dr. Lisa N. Folden is a licensed physical therapist, mom-focused health coach, and the owner of Healthy Phit Physical Therapy & Wellness Consultants in Charlotte, NC.
As a body-positive, women’s health expert and health at every size (HAES) ambassador, Dr. Folden assists women seeking a healthier lifestyle by guiding their wellness choices through the organization, planning strategies, and holistic goal setting. Additionally, Dr. Lisa has recently concentrated her efforts to further advance the field of physical therapy by examining the influence of weight stigma and bias in healthcare and PT.
Dr. Lisa is a regular contributor to articles on topics related to physical therapy, health, wellness, self-care, motherhood, body positivity, and pregnancy and has had the distinct honor of being featured in Oprah Magazine, Shape Magazine, Livestrong, Bustle, and several other local & national publications. Additionally, she is a member of the National Association of Black Physical Therapists, the Association of Size Diversity & Health, The Know Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and serves as an expert panelist for H.E.R. Health Collective (2021)
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