Embracing Health at Every Size in Chicago: The Non-Diet Approach

Why Health at Every Size Matters

For too long, diet culture has told us that shrinking our bodies is the path to health. But what if health has nothing to do with the number on a scale?

That’s the message behind Health at Every Size (HAES) — and it’s changing lives here in Chicago. HAES challenges weight stigma, dismantles toxic fitness myths, and reminds us that people in all bodies deserve access to movement, care, and well-being.

As a trauma-informed, queer, Latino personal trainer, I see daily how liberating it is when people finally let go of diets and start moving for joy, strength, and healing.

What Non-Diet Training Looks Like

Instead of calorie tracking or “earning” food, non-diet training focuses on reconnecting with your body. In my sessions, we use:

Strength training for confidence and power.

Somatic practices + breathwork to regulate the nervous system.

Body Liberation coaching that celebrates what your body can do.

The goal isn’t to shrink your body — it’s to expand your life.

Intuitive + Mindful Eating

Two powerful non-diet tools:

Intuitive Eating → Learning to trust your hunger and fullness cues. It’s about listening to your body, not external rules.

Mindful Eating → Slowing down, savoring flavors, textures, and smells,  especially powerful in a city like Chicago where every neighborhood has a food story.

Both shift the focus from shame and restriction to presence and pleasure.

By savoring each bite and being present during meals, individuals can enhance their enjoyment of food while also supporting their overall health. Mindful eating encourages people to slow down, appreciate their meals, and recognize their body's signals.

Chicago’s Role in the Movement

Chicago is one of the most diverse, vibrant food and culture cities in the U.S. — from tacos in Pilsen to deep dish on the North Side. Diet culture wants us to fear food. HAES says we can enjoy it, honor it, and still care for our health.

This city is also home to communities leading the way in inclusivity — local decolonizing therapists, fat-positive yoga studios, HAES-aligned dietitians, and grassroots groups who are reshaping what “wellness” looks like.

Community Makes the Difference

Healing from diet culture doesn’t happen in isolation. Having a supportive, inclusive community matters. That’s why I center my work around equity and accessibility — using a sliding scale (sessions from $24) so more people can access non-diet personal training.

Together, we dismantle the systems of oppression that tell us our bodies aren’t enough. Together, we build liberation through movement.

Ready to Start?

If you’re in Chicago (or anywhere virtually), you don’t need another diet. You need freedom, joy, and a way to move that actually feels good.

✨ Book your free consultation today!

Your body is not the problem. Diet culture is.
Let’s rewrite the rules — and build strength without diets.