Transformation Tuesday – Jess Pino-Goodspeed
What prompted you to get started?
I started tracking my macros in September 2016. I was so tired of super restrictive diets, losing weight, only to gain it right back again. The head coach/owner of my box introduced me
to flexible eating. When I started hitting my numbers, I noticed how much I was actually undereating. When I found out that I actually need to eat MORE to lose weight, I was hooked.
What changes have you noticed in your body?
I’ve lost 35 lbs. I’ve dropped from a size 18 jeans to a size 12. I’ve also made some incredible gains at my box. Some highlights: Pull-ups, 335lb deadlift, 190lb front squat, 165lb clean and jerk.
What has been your biggest obstacle that you have overcome or are working on?
One of the biggest things that I have overcome is getting over how we label food as “good” or “bad”. It was like I had to reprogram my brain to get rid of this idea that certain foods make you “fat” while others make you “skinny”. I love the flexible eating takes all of this socially-constructed phenomena of the value/worth of food away and strips it down to science. You need the proper balance of macronutrients to fuel your metabolism. Period.
This simple concept revolutionized my life. For so long, I let the foods I ate determined myself worth. If ate “bad” foods (like ice cream or carbs) when I was off the wagon and was obviously a failure. But I’ve been able to start to redefine that dynamic. I have been able to let go of the anxiety around “good” and “bad” food, obsessing over perfection in my “diet”, beating myself up over not eating “clean”.
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone that is just getting started?
Just one thing is hard. But if I had to choose, it would be to just start tracking. If all else fails – just Always Be Tracking (ABT)! Even if it’s not perfect, even if it’s downright ugly, even if you know you’re not going to hit your macros. ABT.
Tracking – consistently and accurately – has been the key to my success. When I’m struggling, I always come back to this basic piece of advice.
