Episode 164: Weight Loss is a Doorway, Not a Destination - with Nutrition & Fitness Coach, Jon McLernon

Nutrition and Fitness Coach Jon McLernon helps people to create an optimal plan for their body, so they can lose weight permanently and spend more time focusing on the fun stuff that being healthy allows them to do.  The backstory of how people grow to be passionate about health and fitness always fascinates me and Jon’s story does not disappoint.  He is with me today to share his inspiring journey.  

Going through life as a nano-technology researcher, a naval marine engineer, a globetrotting English teacher, and an entrepreneur with 2 failed and 2 successful businesses. Jon led an athletic and reasonably active life and carried an average weight.  A violent, traumatic event in South Africa left him unhealthy, physically, mentally and emotionally which led to binge eating causing morbid obesity.

After 6 years of yoyo dieting, he hired a coach who helped him heal his relationship with himself and by extension with food.  He got the recognition that he could treat himself with compassion while losing weight, keep it off and move into a heathy space mentally and emotionally.  

That coach started by asking him a question that changed his life.  “If you make a list of all the things in your life that you love and value, how far down the list is your own name?”

He wasn’t even on the list.  The revelation that it was not only okay but necessary to love himself was inconceivable and he had to figure out what it looked like to actually love himself.  

With his coach’s guidance, Jon healed himself and his relationship with food and went on to start a company to coach other people and help them the way he had been helped.  Tune in to hear how the simple act of brushing his teeth was the first step in building his new identity and so much more.

Some points to listen for in today’s talk. 

Compassion is not a “Get out of jail free” card. It is not judgmental or enabling.  It walks the middle road and says “lets figure out what is going on here”. 

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 CMG’s or can’t miss goals.  Build your lifestyle on repeating small behaviors until they become habit.

Everything flows from the core values of integrity and compassion.  Integrity is living in accordance with your values. Compassion is giving yourself the space to be human and struggle.

Build your goals on an emotionally compelling reason i.e. your “Why”

Weight loss is a doorway not a destination.  

The process of losing weight is uncomfortable but that is good because that is where we grow and become better versions of ourselves.

Fundamental principles of a healthy lifestyle include

A regular pattern of activity.

Nutrient dense foods: veggies. lean protein, quality carbs.

Proactive Stress m