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The Problem: Weight Loss Drugs Didn’t Fix the Real Issue

Like many, I turned to a GLP-1 drug to help with weight loss. And it worked—at first.

The hunger disappeared, I ate less, and the weight dropped off.

But as soon as I stopped the medication, the weight came back. Fast.

At first, I blamed my metabolism. But the real issue wasn’t my body—it was my choices.

I contacted Central Athlete to fix the root cause, not just the symptom.

Here’s how I regained control of my nutrition and finally made a lasting change.

1. I Stopped Outsourcing My Decisions to External Factors

What I used to do: Told myself that my stress caused my overeating—as if I had no say in the matter.

What changed: Central Athlete helped me recognize that every food decision is a choice, not an automatic response.

• I stopped saying, “I tend to eat when stressed.”
• I started saying, “I choose how I respond to stress.”
• I took full ownership of what, when, and why I ate.

By changing my language, I changed my beliefs, which changed my results.

2. I Created Space Between Stress and Eating

What I used to do: I immediately turned to food for comfort when I felt overwhelmed.

What changed: I built space between my stress and my response, using a proven framework from smoking cessation strategies:

Step 1: When I felt the urge to eat, I identified the cue.
➡ Was I hungry or just stressed? My coach and I defined hunger (as being so hungry that I would eat a boiled chicken breast without seasoning).

Step 2: I reminded myself that I was not a passenger to my cravings—I had control.
➡ I practiced pausing for 5 minutes before eating anything. We progressed this to 10, 15, and eventually 30 minutes over the course of several months.

Step 3: I made a conscious choice.
✔ If I was truly hungry, I ate a balanced meal.
✔ If I wasn’t, I did something else (walking, deep breathing, journaling).

This process rewired my response to stress and removed the automatic reaction of eating. It gave me the insight that I had power over my environment.

3. I Addressed the Root Cause of My Overeating

What I used to do: I ate for comfort without questioning why food was my go-to.

What changed: Through behavioral coaching, I recognized a deeper pattern:
➡ I learned to seek comfort in food because my parents didn’t give me enough attention as a child.

This realization wasn’t about blame but understanding so I could make different choices.

• I created new ways to self-soothe (calling a friend, journaling, mindfulness).
• I stopped viewing food as an emotional crutch and started seeing it as fuel.
• I built self-trust, proving that I didn’t need food to feel okay.
• Once I was aware of this pattern, my coach affirmed that it was a choice of how I wanted to respond. This put the responsibility back in my corner vs. placing the responsibility of my “tendency” to overeat.

4. I Built a System That Made Success Automatic

What I used to do: I relied on willpower, which always failed in high-stress situations.

What changed: I worked with my coach to engineer my environment for success:

• I prepped high-protein, nutrient-dense meals to make the best choice the easiest one.
• I removed trigger foods from my house—because discipline is easier when you don’t need it.
• I scheduled workouts and recovery, so my stress levels stayed lower in the first place.

Instead of relying on motivation, I built a structure that set me up to win.

The Results: Freedom from Emotional Eating and Lasting Fat Loss

• I lost weight sustainably—without GLP-1 drugs.
• I stopped the cycle of stress eating by taking full responsibility for my choices.
• I gained confidence knowing I control my actions, no matter the circumstances.

I didn’t just lose weight—I became the kind of person who doesn’t need food for comfort.

If You Want to Break Free, You Have to Take Ownership.

Losing weight isn’t about finding the right diet or drug—it’s about changing how you think about food and setting up your environment to make it easy to be successful. Placing obstacles in front of bad decisions and removing friction from good choices. 

If you’re ready to take control, Central Athlete can help.

✅ Apply for a strategy session today.

You don’t need a medication or a diet—you need a system that puts you in control. Let’s build it together.

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