Los Angeles dietitian reveals she gained 10 kg after following diet advice from social media influencers

Causes of weight gain: To lose weight, Grosky said you need to be in a calorie deficit, and calorie needs are quite specific to each individual (Image: Pexels)

• Hailey Groski gained 20 pounds following influencer diet advice
• She lost weight after switching to a balanced, personalized diet
• Groski advises against generic social media nutrition tips

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There’s no dearth of advice on what you should and shouldn’t eat on social media, especially from fitness influencers. They often promote diets they experiment with, leading many to give in to the temptation in the hope of losing weight. However, not always does it work out.

Such was the case with Hailey Groski, who ended up gaining 20 pounds (about 10 kg) after following nutrition advice from fitness influencers on social media, according to Business Insider.

Back in 2016, while she was studying nutrition, her meals were tailored to social media advice. This included a breakfast comprising a big bowl of oatmeal with a generous amount of peanut butter. For lunch, she opted for a salad with half a cup of hummus and later snacked on an acai bowl drizzled with honey and sprinkled with granola.

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Result? She ended up consuming more calories than she needed. Groski, now a dietitian based in LA, expressed her shock at eating healthy, exercising every single day, and even running two half marathons, yet not losing any weight, only to later realise that her diet was calorie-dense. What’s more, she felt hungry and unsatisfied.

That’s when she brought about a change and “dialled into her nutrition,” after which she lost 20 pounds. She began eating healthy foods that supported her body and stopped listening to social media advice. Now, she follows a well-balanced diet and exercise routine that helps her maintain her weight.

3 tips for sustainable weight loss

Here are her three tips for sustainable weight loss:

Don’t follow generic advice on nutrition choices

Groski explained that one needs to be in a calorie deficit to lose weight, and calorie needs are quite specific to each individual. While she was listening to social media advice, her diet was restricted and very low in calories. Although she initially lost weight, she felt hungry and found her habits unsustainable. That’s when she cued in and started learning about her body’s needs.

Also read | Best weight loss and weight gain tips: Nutritionist reveals secret to eating right for your weight goal

Track calories for short periods

Groski realised that tracking calories in the short term helped her understand which foods were calorie-dense and needed moderation. This led her to cut back on peanut butter. She also learned what 300 calories of chicken looked like, and once she understood portion sizes, she no longer had to track consistently. She calculated how many calories she needed per day and how many would help sustain her weight loss.

Create habits that last

Finally, she realised that being too restrictive was not sustainable. To address this, she created habits that could last long-term. She thus opted for a moderate calorie deficit while enjoying her favourite foods and working out to feel good. While progress was slower, she didn’t miss out on enjoying life.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.