Title: The Power of Lifting: One Writer's Journey from Dieting to Strength Training
In today's world where body image and weight loss are constantly shoved down our throats by the media, it is refreshing to hear stories like that of Casey Johnston. In her new book "A Physical Education: How I Escaped Diet Culture and Gained the Power of Lifting," she shares how she quit dieting and discovered her strength through weightlifting.
Johnston's journey began when she stumbled upon a Reddit post about weightlifting, which led to a transformation in her relationship with her body. For years, she had been running and dieting, believing that exercise was meant solely for the purpose of becoming as small as possible. However, after reading posts from people who lifted weights, Johnston realized there was more to exercising than just losing weight - it could also be about building strength and embracing one's body.
In her book, part memoir and part science journalism, Johnston delves into how learning to lift weights helped her overcome an abusive relationship and a toxic job. It allowed her to repair her disordered eating habits and enjoy food again. Most importantly, it changed her attitude towards her own body, shifting from one focused on denial of pleasure to one that embraces movement, rest, and eating equally.
The implications of Johnston's story are significant as they challenge the traditional narrative surrounding exercise and dieting. By sharing her journey, she encourages others to rethink their relationship with food and physical activity, focusing more on health rather than appearance. This shift in perspective could potentially lead to a decrease in unhealthy diet culture practices such as extreme calorie restriction or over-exercising for the sake of weight loss.
As someone who has struggled with body image issues myself, I find Johnston's story incredibly inspiring. It serves as a reminder that our bodies are capable of so much more than just looking good on Instagram. By embracing strength training and focusing on building physical power rather than striving for an unattainable ideal, we can not only improve our overall health but also gain confidence in ourselves and our abilities.
In conclusion, Casey Johnston's journey from dieting to weightlifting is a powerful testament to the transformative power of exercise. Her story encourages us all to reevaluate our relationship with food and physical activity, prioritizing health over appearance, and embracing strength training as a means to build not only muscle but also emotional resilience.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/05/08/nx-s1-5377615/weight-lifting-women-strength-training-running) #writer
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