My Vulture Culture Journey: Science-Backed Weight Loss

Growing up, my mother always told me I ate like a bird… a vulture! 

I’d get home from school and swoop in to raid the pantry. Cookies, a handful of cereal, anything quick and tasty.

As the ultimate tom boy, you could find me shooting hoops, riding bikes, swinging a racquet;  I did it all and had the appetite to match. 

In high school team sports became my focus. The coaches nicknamed me Mighty Might. I loved being strong and athletic.  

I continued sports in college. This was the first time weight training became part of weekly practices. I fell in love. 

Every day during my off seasons, I’d either be running outside or lifting weights. I was the Queen of Consistency. Soon my friends joined me.  Eventually I became their “trainer.” Giving advice, leading workouts, leaning into this accidental role of fitness expert. 

This stayed with me after college. I had a typical 9-5 and soon got officially certified to teach group fitness classes. 

I loved teaching and motivating others to get fit. But I secretly felt like a fraud. In my mind, I didn’t look the part. I was so conflicted. How could I coach others to achieve their goals, when I couldn’t reach my own?

I wasn’t happy in my own skin. I had muscles, but they were covered up with “fluff.” Not enough where someone would categorize me as “overweight,” but enough so nobody would peg me for a trainer or athlete. 

I tried every “diet” under the sun. No results. Or even worse, I’d lose weight, only to gain it back. 

My relationship with food became toxic. (I think every female in fitness or sports deals with this. But that’s a story for another day!) 

This cycle of failed diets and feeling defeated stayed with me. 

In my late twenties, I made the switch to working in fitness full time, and started working toward a degree in exercise science. 

The professor in my nutrition class gave each student an individual consultation. We had to bring a 3-day food log. I was so confident I’d impress him, certain he’d tell me something is wrong with my metabolism if I couldn’t lose weight. 

“This is terrible” was the first thing he said. 

I was stunned. My ‘broken metabolism’ theory was debunked in seconds. It wasn’t my body that was the problem; it was the ‘healthy’ snacks—the pretzels, the crackers, the cereal—that were quietly sabotaging my progress.

He  explained  the best way to fuel your body is with nutrient-dense, single-ingredient foods. 

I took what he said to heart. 

That’s when it clicked: I didn’t need to eat less food; I just needed to eat smarter food. I discovered ‘volume eating’—filling my plate with nutrient-dense foods that physically take up more space, allowing me to eat like a vulture and still reach my goals.

Every body is different. This is what worked for me. 

Fast forward to today. Four of my JCC fitness colleagues and I took a course over the summer in Nutrition Coaching for Weight Loss and Weight Management. We are all committed to bringing this science-backed, sustainable approach to you.

We learned about the latest in scientific, evidence-based research in nutrition, exercise, and behavioral change strategies that will help those wanting to lose weight and keep it off. My favorite: Volume eating!

We learned how to create an individualized calorie budget and methods to spend  protein, carbs, and fats. Not a “diet.” A smart, doable way to eat for life. 

On a personal note, I’m thrilled to bring nutrition coaching to our JCC community. If you are interested in learning more, or just want to eat like a vulture—hit me up. Myself and our other coaches  are here for you.