More Than A Number | Lose Weight, High Protein Diet, Low Carb Diet, Meal Prep, Lose Weight Fast

Sam Barone | RD, Weight Mgmt Specialist, Diet Culture Rebel

Are you an elder millennial that's been weight watching since the womb? Are you a victim of 90's diet culture PTSD? Are you carrying around an overwhelming sense of guilt or shame over another failed attempt at keeping the weight off? Have you lost weight on a diet only to have your lost pounds find their way back to you soon after you go off the diet? I’m here to tell you to lay down the shame, friend – no matter where you’ve been on your weight loss journey and where you’re at… You are fully capable and fully worthy of making LASTING, SUSTAINABLE change. And you can start doing it TO-DAY. My name is Sam. Today, I’m a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified specialist in obesity and weight management. But, at one point in my life, I was nearing 400lbs and completely miserable. As a last-ditch effort, I made one of the best decisions of my life and had gastric bypass surgery. But I learned VERY quickly in the years after that the surgery was not magic and it was REAL easy for all those lost pounds to find their way back to me. I realized I needed to pull it together or I was going to be right back where I started. I got super interested in the science of nutrition and went back to school to become a dietitian so that I could help myself and be a light for others. I’m going to be honest with you, friends… I’ve been maintaining ~200lbs weight loss for darn near 2 decades now and unfortunately, it doesn’t get any “easier” per say. But I can promise you it doesn’t need to be complicated. I’ve learned invaluable lessons both as a dietitian and in my own personal weight loss/maintenance journey, and my mission is to take the evidence-based science and marry it with real life.  Because let's be real, not everything that looks good on paper works in our real lives.   I truly believe with every fiber of my being that God gifted me the opportunity to bring both the clinical facts and the lived experience to customize a simple game plan for YOU to finally win at weight loss. I KNOW you do not want to start another diet trend that makes you hangry and is only going to bring you disappointment and frustration. I also know that deep down you just want to live free from the constant weight roller coaster and FEEL GOOD. If you're ready to finally start WINNING at weight loss, you’re in the right place! Now pull up a chair and let’s go! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session!  This is a 1hr, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING.  Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

  1. 2d ago

    44 | Why Weight Isn't the Whole Story + What Most Doctors Get Wrong | Interview with Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN

    Hey Friends, welcome back! I took last week off so this week is a bonus double episode! In this special interview episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, host of the Exam Room Nutrition podcast, to have an honest conversation about weight stigma, nutrition counseling, pediatric weight management, and what patients deserve from their healthcare providers. If you've ever felt anxious about stepping on a scale, dreaded a doctor’s appointment, or felt judged because of your body size, this episode is for you. We dive into how early experiences with weight conversations can shape our relationship with food and our bodies for years to come. Colleen shares her perspective as both a registered dietitian and physician assistant, explaining why focusing solely on weight can often do more harm than good—especially for children and adolescents. Instead, we discuss the importance of addressing behaviors, nutrition habits, movement, and overall health rather than assigning worth to a number on the scale. We also tackle some of today's hottest nutrition topics, including the role of a high protein diet for sustainable weight loss, why fiber deserves more attention, and how to approach protein supplements, bars, shakes, creatine, and other popular wellness trends. If you've ever wondered whether a low carb diet is necessary to lose weight, or how to build a realistic nutrition plan that supports long-term success, you'll find plenty of practical takeaways in this conversation. Finally, we discuss the explosion of peptides and other "miracle" solutions being marketed online. Together, we emphasize the importance of evidence-based care and why slow, steady, sustainable habits will always outperform quick fixes designed to help you lose weight fast. This episode is packed with compassion, science, and real-world advice that will leave you feeling empowered to advocate for yourself and focus on what truly matters: building a healthier life—not just a smaller body. Find Colleen Sloan on IG & Linked In @examroomnutrition  Website: www.examroomnutrition.com  Podcast http://www.youtube.com/@examroomnutrition  *************************************************************************** FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session! This is a 1 hour, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a full lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email me: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

    1h 17m
  2. Jun 8

    43 | Lose Weight Without Guilt | The Truth About Cheat Meals & Diet Culture

    Hey friends, welcome back! In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most normalized — and honestly most damaging — phrases in diet culture: “I cheated.” I unpack what we really mean when we say we had a “cheat meal” or “cheat day,” and why the language we use around food matters so much more than we realize. Because when we label foods or eating experiences as cheating, we often create guilt, shame, and all-or-nothing thinking that keeps us trapped in the binge-restrict cycle for years. I also share a powerful story written by a woman years after bariatric surgery that completely changed the way I think about the word “cheat.” Her realization that she wasn’t cheating the diet, the surgery, or her healthcare team — but ultimately cheating herself out of peace, health, consistency, and confidence — is something I know so many listeners will deeply relate to. Throughout the episode, I explain the difference between flexible eating and spiraling emotionally around food. Sustainable weight loss is not about perfection, rigid food rules, or never eating fun foods again. Real life includes birthdays, vacations, pizza nights, holidays, date nights, and celebrations. The goal is not to eliminate those experiences — it’s to learn how to enjoy them without guilt, shame, or abandoning ourselves afterward. Most importantly, I challenge listeners to start paying attention to the language they use around food and to stop viewing themselves as “bad” or “failures” for simply being human. Long-term weight loss maintenance is built through consistency, flexibility, self-awareness, and learning to trust yourself — not through punishment or perfection. *************************************************************************** FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session! This is a 1 hour, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a full lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email me: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

    28 min
  3. Jun 1

    42 | Trying to Lose Weight? Stop Being Scared of Fruit

    Welcome back! In this episode, I’m tackling one of the strangest nutrition fears that has exploded in wellness culture lately: the fear of fruit. I share a real conversation from a recent Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session with a client who told me she constantly craved sweets and carbs, yet intentionally avoided fruit because she believed it contained “too much sugar.” Meanwhile, her diet was packed with highly processed “health” foods like protein bars, protein cookies, keto snacks, and low-carb packaged foods that still left her hungry and unsatisfied. Throughout this episode, I break down the three biggest reasons I believe fruit deserves a place in a healthy, sustainable eating pattern. First, I explain how fruit supports satiety through fiber, water, and volume, helping us feel physically full and emotionally satisfied while often providing far fewer calories than many processed snack foods. I also discuss why most people are drastically under-consuming fiber and how removing fruit out of fear can unintentionally worsen cravings, hunger, and overeating. I also talk about how fruit can actually HELP reduce cravings rather than increase them, especially when paired with protein or healthy fats like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, nuts, or peanut butter. Instead of white-knuckling our way through restrictive diets, I encourage listeners to embrace balanced, satisfying meals and snacks that support long-term consistency. Most importantly, I remind listeners that fruit is not the reason people struggle with obesity or weight regain. Sustainable weight loss is built through overall habits and dietary patterns — not by fearing bananas or strawberries. I encourage everyone to stop zooming in on single foods and instead focus on balance, fiber, protein, hydration, sleep, stress management, and realistic long-term habits that truly support health and lasting weight loss. *************************************************************************** FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session! This is a 1 hour, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a full lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email me: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

    26 min
  4. May 25

    41 | High Protein Diet? Low Carb Diet? Why “It Depends” Is the RIGHT Answer

    Hey, friends! In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most frustrating — but most important — realities in nutrition: why “it depends” is usually the most honest and evidence-based answer when it comes to food, weight loss, and health. I talk about how social media influencers and wellness “experts” often push rigid, black-and-white nutrition rules because certainty sells, even when that advice can actually create confusion, fear, guilt, and long-term damage to our relationship with food. Throughout the episode, I unpack why nutrition is never one-size-fits-all. Human beings are nuanced. Our medical histories, lifestyles, stress levels, budgets, activity levels, food preferences, and relationships with food are all completely different — which is exactly why blanket statements like “carbs are bad,” “everyone should go low carb,” or “all processed foods are toxic” can be so harmful. I explain how context always matters and why the same strategy that helps one person may actually hurt another. I also talk about the danger of assigning morality to food and how labeling foods as “good,” “bad,” “clean,” or “toxic” often fuels shame, emotional eating, binge-restrict cycles, and all-or-nothing thinking. Instead of obsessing over perfection, I strongly encourage you to focus on flexibility, sustainability, and learning how to make balanced decisions consistently without spiraling emotionally over food. Most importantly, I challenge you to reflect on what nutrition fear-mongering you may have internalized over the years and ask yourself whether those beliefs are actually helping you build a healthier, more sustainable life — or simply keeping you anxious around food. Because true food freedom is not found in rigid rules. It’s found in learning what realistically works for your body, your life, and your long-term goals. *************************************************************************** FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session! This is a 1 hour, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a full lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email me: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

    25 min
  5. May 18

    40 | How to Eat MORE Food and Still Lose Weight | Volume Eating in a Calorie Deficit

    Welcome back! In this episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest lies diet culture ever sold us: that in order to lose weight, we need to survive on tiny portions, constant hunger, and “sad little bird meals.” I’m talking all about volume eating — not binge eating, but learning how to build satisfying, nourishing meals that actually keep you full while still maintaining a healthy calorie deficit for weight loss. I explain why so many people struggle with aggressive diets and restrictive meal plans. When we try to lose weight fast by eating as little as possible, our bodies eventually push back. Hunger increases, cravings intensify, food noise takes over, and before we know it, we’re elbow-deep in peanut butter or making a late-night Taco Bell run wondering what happened. The problem usually isn’t a lack of willpower — it’s an unsustainable strategy. Throughout the episode, I break down my four biggest practical tips for creating satisfying meals in a calorie deficit: Load up on non-starchy vegetables for volume, fiber, and fullness Prioritize lean protein at every meal to support satiety and muscle preservation Stop fearing high-fiber, complex carbohydrates like potatoes, fruit, oatmeal, beans, and popcorn Be mindful of liquid calories that can quietly add up without helping you feel full Most importantly, I talk about why satisfaction matters so much in long-term weight loss. Sustainable weight loss is not about eating the least amount of food possible. It’s about creating a realistic, balanced approach you can actually repeat consistently for life. If your plan feels miserable, eventually the pendulum swings. But when your meals feel satisfying, nourishing, and enjoyable, consistency becomes so much easier. *************************************************************************** FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session! This is a 1 hour, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a full lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email me: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

    30 min
  6. May 11

    39 | High Protein Diet Burnout? 3 Meal Prep Fixes to Lose Weight Without the “Protein Ick”

    Hey friends! We are talking about something so many women experience but rarely say out loud: the protein ick. You start out strong on your high protein diet, meal prep is dialed in… and then one day you open the fridge, look at another dry container of chicken and broccoli, and feel your blood boiling. If you’ve ever rage-stared at meal prep and wanted to order takeout instead, this episode is for you. I explain why this happens—and no, it’s not because you’re lazy, broken, or bad at consistency. Often, it’s boredom. We are human beings who crave flavor, texture, variety, and satisfaction. When your plan becomes robotic and joyless, your brain checks out and wants to dive into a plate of French fries.  Not because you have no will power, but because you’re bored! Protein is a non-negotiable in a healthy, balanced diet. It helps preserve muscle during fat loss, supports metabolism, improves satiety, helps stabilize blood sugar, and makes long-term weight maintenance easier. So no, we’re not quitting protein—we’re quitting miserable protein plans. Listen in to learn how to fix the protein ick: Expand your protein options – chicken is not the only answer. Think shrimp, salmon, turkey, eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, deli turkey, rotisserie chicken, beans, lentils, tofu, and more. Change flavor profiles, not macros – same protein goals, different experience. Mediterranean bowls, taco bowls, teriyaki salmon, turkey meatballs, Italian-inspired meals. Use different meal formats – hot meals, cold meals, snacks, lazy meals, convenience meals. Not every meal needs to be a production. My biggest message? Sustainable fat loss is not built on eating foods you hate. It’s built on repeating meals you enjoy enough to stay consistent with. Healthy eating should feel supportive—not like punishment! *************************************************************************** FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session! This is a 1 hour, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a full lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email me: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

    22 min
  7. May 4

    38 | Lose Weight Fast? The Truth About High Protein Diets, Meal Prep & Weight Loss Magic

    Welcome back, my friend! Are you ready for some loving truth and tough love?  Guys, when it comes to weight loss - there is no magic. No magic pill, no magic powder, no detox tea, no supplement, no surgery, no injection, and no influencer hack that can replace the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. I open by sharing a real client conversation that highlights what so many people are feeling right now—comparison, impatience, and the belief that faster must mean better. From there, I dive into why “magic” sells so well. When you feel frustrated, discouraged, or desperate, quick fixes sound merciful. But most of the time, they’re just marketing. I break down some of the most common forms of modern weight loss magic: fat burners, detoxes, fad diets, supplements, medications, injections, and bariatric surgery. I explain where nuance matters—because some tools absolutely can help the right person in the right situation—but no tool can do the inner work for you. None of them automatically create habits, consistency, self-trust, emotional regulation, or identity change. I also ask a powerful question: Do you want to lose weight… or do you want to live a long, healthy, vibrant life? Because those are not always the same pursuit. Losing weight fast may focus on urgency and appearances. True health asks deeper questions: How is your energy? Your sleep? Your strength? Your mental health? Your relationship with food? Can you sustain the life you’re building? Consistency with the basics is the closest thing to magic. My hope for this episode is that it frees you from chasing the next promise and reminds you that lasting change is built one decision at a time. You are not one product away from peace—you’re one aligned choice away from a different life. *************************************************************************** FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session! This is a 1 hour, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a full lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email me: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

    29 min
  8. Apr 27

    37 | Faith, Food & Fads – Lose Weight without Extremes with Coryn Brown & Crysanne Clay; Part 2

    Hey, friends – welcome back! In this second part of my conversation with Coryn and Crysanne from the Her Healthy Body podcast, we went deep—and I mean deep. This wasn’t just another conversation about macros, meal prep, or how to lose weight. This was about what truly sustains health in the middle of real life: faith, resilience, identity, and purpose. Crysanne shared an incredibly powerful story of walking through heartbreaking personal loss, family upheaval, and trauma all at once. Instead of turning to old coping mechanisms or self-destruction, she leaned into her faith and allowed God to carry her through one of the hardest seasons of her life. It was such a beautiful reminder that our greatest growth often comes through the hardest valleys. Coryn then opened up about how motherhood and faith transformed her relationship with body image. She talked honestly about how easy it is to idolize appearance, followers, validation, and the scale—and how inviting God into her health journey shifted her focus from obsession to purpose. That part really resonated with me because so many women are chasing external approval while neglecting internal peace. We also discussed how self-talk changes when we stop seeing our bodies through the world’s lens and start seeing them as something valuable, worthy, and entrusted to us. That doesn’t mean perfection—it means grace, stewardship, and perspective. And of course, we had to bring it back to some practical nutrition wisdom too. We talked about the importance of protein, why strength training matters, avoiding the “protein ick,” building muscle instead of obsessing over the scale, and focusing on real foods over ultra-processed products. If I could sum up this episode in one sentence, it would be this: lasting weight loss is never just about food—it’s about healing, identity, habits, and who you become along the way. I truly loved this conversation, and I know it will bless you the way it blessed me. Her Healthy Body is on Apple Podcasts and anywhere you listen.  Instagram: @her.healthy.body Website: herhealthybody.co Email: team@herhealthybody.co Facebook Community: Her Healthy Body *************************************************************************** FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session! This is a 1 hour, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a full lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email me: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

    30 min
4.9
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

Are you an elder millennial that's been weight watching since the womb? Are you a victim of 90's diet culture PTSD? Are you carrying around an overwhelming sense of guilt or shame over another failed attempt at keeping the weight off? Have you lost weight on a diet only to have your lost pounds find their way back to you soon after you go off the diet? I’m here to tell you to lay down the shame, friend – no matter where you’ve been on your weight loss journey and where you’re at… You are fully capable and fully worthy of making LASTING, SUSTAINABLE change. And you can start doing it TO-DAY. My name is Sam. Today, I’m a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified specialist in obesity and weight management. But, at one point in my life, I was nearing 400lbs and completely miserable. As a last-ditch effort, I made one of the best decisions of my life and had gastric bypass surgery. But I learned VERY quickly in the years after that the surgery was not magic and it was REAL easy for all those lost pounds to find their way back to me. I realized I needed to pull it together or I was going to be right back where I started. I got super interested in the science of nutrition and went back to school to become a dietitian so that I could help myself and be a light for others. I’m going to be honest with you, friends… I’ve been maintaining ~200lbs weight loss for darn near 2 decades now and unfortunately, it doesn’t get any “easier” per say. But I can promise you it doesn’t need to be complicated. I’ve learned invaluable lessons both as a dietitian and in my own personal weight loss/maintenance journey, and my mission is to take the evidence-based science and marry it with real life.  Because let's be real, not everything that looks good on paper works in our real lives.   I truly believe with every fiber of my being that God gifted me the opportunity to bring both the clinical facts and the lived experience to customize a simple game plan for YOU to finally win at weight loss. I KNOW you do not want to start another diet trend that makes you hangry and is only going to bring you disappointment and frustration. I also know that deep down you just want to live free from the constant weight roller coaster and FEEL GOOD. If you're ready to finally start WINNING at weight loss, you’re in the right place! Now pull up a chair and let’s go! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FINALLY move the chains on your weight loss goals and start making progress with your Winning at Weight Loss Breakthrough Session!  This is a 1hr, 1 on 1 coaching session where I will complete a lifestyle audit & give you the game plan you need to start WINNING.  Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/winatweightlossnow Join my free email list for weekly inspo, first dibs on new offers and recaps of the week’s podcast episodes: https://bit.ly/mtanweekly Email: sam@theanchorednutrition.com

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