If your goal is weight loss

If your goal is weight loss with the System from The Nourishment Shift, read this.

For those who have health goals that include fat loss (notice I say fat loss, not weight loss!); read this post!!

Losing fat via fixing your metabolic system and getting your body functioning properly to burn body fat normally, is non-linear.

Your weight might not always move steadily downward. Early weight loss can be fast, followed by slower periods, plateaus, or even slight gains. That’s biological reality; not failure. And this is scientifically known and proven to be normal/healthy for the body. For example, a study found that over a one-year diet journey:

  • Only 4.3% consistently lost weight each 3-month period
  • Over half experienced at least one plateau or gain phase despite overall progress

The System burns excess body fat, not muscle, not bone density. Unlike some pharmaceutical weight loss drugs that cause fast overall weight loss because you’re losing muscle and bone in addition to fat 😪💔, which is NOT what we want. This system helps you achieve your healthy, sustainable size the right way. 

That said… let’s talk about the scale. Because I know some of you are feeling frustrated, maybe even discouraged, when the number doesn’t go down as fast as you hoped… or worse, goes up at first. 

Here’s what you need to know:

The scale measures everything, not just fat.

  • Muscle mass
  • Water retention
  • Bone density
  • Hormonal fluctuations
  • Digestion
  • Inflammation
  • And even what you ate (or drank!) yesterday

So, if the number goes up a pound or two (or five!), that does not mean the system isn’t working. In fact, it means it is. It’s even common for people to see weight loss on the scale at first, then notice it stops or goes backwards on the scale.

Here’s why:

  • Fat is burning, but this also supports muscle growth (which is denser and MUCH heavier than fat)
  • You are likely holding more water as your body heals, adjusts, and processes inflammation and shifting hormones
  • Your bone density improves, also MUCH heavier than fat (and a huge health win, especially long-term)
  • Your metabolism is speeding up, which can cause temporary fluctuations

This isn’t a crash diet or a quick fix, this is a full-body, metabolic reset. And real results take time. 

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So here’s my advice:

  1. Put your scale away! Don’t use it.
  2. Track measurements & before/after photos. Visual changes count more than the scale because the scale is measuring other things such as bone density increasing, while photos capture actual size changes. Be sure to take photos from the front, back and sides to see all changes.
  3. Use tape measurements (waist, hips, arms). Indicates changes before the scale shifts.
  4. Eat minimally processed whole foods. Reduces cravings and supports fat loss. Check out my Healthy Pantry Swap Guide from the Holistic Nutrition Course: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QU1Zu8W5sbczmbWjLFxPUO_h1FlD4LTR/view?usp=drive_link
  5. Prioritize protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Supports fullness, muscle preservation, and blood sugar control. I have loads of recipes for you in our course to pick and choose from: https://www.vivianeniemann.com/courses/holistic-nutrition/
  6. Incorporate strength training. Helps preserve muscle, boosts metabolism.
  7. Be patient with habits. If weight stalls at 6 months, it may be a biological plateau, not a failure. Keep going.
  8. Celebrate your energy, focus, mood, sleep, digestion, these are wins, too. Means things are changing internally, which has to happen first before the outside can change.
  9. Trust the process. Results compound over time, not overnight.

You’re retraining your metabolism, resetting your insulin, and building a healthier body from the inside out. That’s real transformation, and it takes time.

So please, be patient with your body. Be kind to yourself. Stay consistent.

The system works and YOU ARE making progress, even if the scale isn’t showing it just yet.

We’re in this together. Let’s keep going!  

My Facebook group is open for questions. Simply post in there but also use the search function to see if it has already been discussed.

You can also text me: (248) 587-7292