Casey Johnston, an American writer, spent years trying to make herself smaller and struggled with constant dieting and running. But everything changed when she discovered weightlifting. Instead of feeling like exercise was a punishment, she found joy in lifting weights and eating well, which helped her rebuild her self-confidence.
Johnston once thought weightlifting was only for people with special needs or talents, like athletes or military personnel. She found it intimidating at first. In contrast, running always seemed simple to her — just run until you can’t anymore. She pushed herself hard, running half-marathons even in freezing weather. But she also feared eating the calories she burned, worrying it would ruin her progress.
After many years of this exhausting cycle, Johnston felt like a failure. She started to question the effectiveness of dieting, asking, “If dieting works, where is the proof?” This moment changed how she viewed her body and exercise.
Now 38 and living in Los Angeles, Johnston has become an expert in fitness and nutrition. She began writing about her experience in 2016 and became known for her straightforward advice. She encourages eating well, ignoring harmful wellness trends, and focusing on practical workouts instead of complicated gym machines.
Her work helped many women, including the article’s author, who struggled with body image and harmful dieting habits. Johnston’s first book, A Physical Education, tells her story of overcoming restrictive diets and learning to respect her body despite a difficult childhood and family pressures about thinness.
Johnston admits she once doubted herself but was confident in the process of weightlifting. She studied engineering and science, which made her want to understand how muscles work and why dieting often fails. She found that once she started eating 50% more to support her workouts, her constant food cravings disappeared, and her mental health improved.
She also writes honestly about her struggles, including introducing weightlifting to her mother, who was resistant to eating more and changing her exercise habits.
Johnston understands why many women feel pressured to control their bodies through dieting and exercise. She explains that this mindset comes from societal judgment, especially for women, but stresses that everyone deserves care and respect.
Despite recent trends like popular weight-loss drugs, Johnston remains skeptical about quick fixes. She believes that lasting change comes from understanding and connecting with your body, not from external solutions.
Her book calls for people to rebuild trust in themselves and their bodies, rejecting harmful diet culture. She shares how weightlifting taught her to listen to her body and find strength, which has helped her in all parts of life.
Johnston continues to inspire many through her newsletter and writings. She even shared her experience lifting weights during pregnancy, challenging outdated advice against it.
She emphasizes that not everyone needs to follow the same path. The key is to find what works for you and develop self-respect.
Her approach is steady, science-based, and free from fads. Johnston’s commitment to honesty and persistence has earned her a loyal following and helped many redefine their relationship with fitness and food.
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