103. Ali Novitsky, MD on The power of body acceptance and optimization

Season #4

Try Breathwork free: https://www.brendawinkle.com/breathe 

IN THIS EPISODE OF YOUR YES FILLED LIFE

In this podcast episode, Ali, a doctor with a focus on women's health, discusses her work on body image and self-esteem with host Brenda. They talk about the flaws of the BMI chart, the importance of body acceptance, and the impact of understanding body functionality. Ali shares her personal struggles with body image and how sports helped her develop body confidence. They also discuss their coaching programs, Ali's rebranded podcast "Transform," and the concept of being selective with food choices. Ali also explains the benefits and misconceptions of weight loss medications like Ozempic and the accessibility of generic medication for those without insurance coverage.

 

Here are the takeaways...

 

  1. Embracing Your Authentic Body: Ali Novitsky, a doctor with a passion for women's health, shared her journey of overcoming body image struggles. She emphasized the importance of focusing on body composition and functionality rather than weight. Her mission? To help women own and optimize their authentic bodies.

  2. Transforming Body Shaming: We delved into the importance of understanding and accepting one's body. This acceptance can lead to transformation and a shift away from body shaming. Remember, hating a part of oneself prevents transformation.

  3. Deep Emotional Work: Our coaching programs may not be for everyone. We focus on opening up discomfort and addressing childhood issues. It's not a walk in the park, but it's a journey worth taking.

  4. The "Transform" Podcast: Ali's podcast, now rebranded as "Transform," covers a wide range of health-related topics. It's authentic, unscripted, and evolves with her own growth. If you're looking for a genuine voice in the health and wellness space, this is it.

  5. Being "Snobby" with Food: We discussed the concept of being selective and intentional about what we consume. It's not about being elitist, but about enjoying the experience and indulging in things that truly bring us satisfaction.

  6. Valuing Oneself: We shared personal stories about the importance of not settling for less. It's about deserving the best and not discounting ourselves.

  7. Medications for Weight Loss: Ali shed light on the benefits and misconceptions of using medications like Ozempic for weight loss. She emphasized that obesity is a disease, not a personal failure, and that help is available.

  8. Accessibility of Medication: Ali also discussed the accessibility of generic medication for those who may not have insurance coverage. It's about leveling the playing field and ensuring everyone has access to the help they need.

About Ali Novitsky, MD...

Ali Novitsky, MD is the CEO and founder of Fit Women Collective and Life Coaching for Women Physicians. She is Triple board-certified in Obesity Medicine, Pediatrics, and Neonatology. She is a Certified Master Physician Coach,  Nutrition and Fitness Expert, and International Speaker. Ali attended Temple University School of Medicine and completed her Pediatric residency and Neonatal Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson/AI duPont Hospital for Children. She completed her coach training at The Life Coach School and The Mind Firm Method. Ali helps women physicians achieve optimal health by optimizing their unique potential with simple strategies, backed by science.

Connect with Ali...

Website: https://www.lifecoachingforwomenphysicians.com/thefitcollective 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anovitskymd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinovitskymd/ 

 

Connect with Brenda...

1:1 Healing Sessions - Heal to the Yes - https://www.brendawinkle.com/healing 

Yes Academy - https://www.brendawinkle.com/yes-academy-course 

Heal Yes Retreat - https://www.brendawinkle.com/retreat 

Chat with Brenda 

 https://calendly.com/brendawinkle/discovery

 

Feel Better Fast Guide

https://www.brendawinkle.com/feelbetterfast 

 

Meditation to feel better

https://www.brendawinkle.com/feelbetter 

 

Contact Brenda

Website: https://www.brendawinkle.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendawinkle/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brenda.winkle111  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brendawinkle111  

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendawinkle/ 

TIME STAMPS: 

The importance of body types and the flaws of the BMI chart (00:05:07)
Ali discusses the different body types and how the BMI chart is flawed and does not account for factors such as ethnicity, gender, body type, or skeletal structure.

The impact of body image on self-esteem and confidence (00:03:10)
Ali shares her personal struggles with body image and how it affected her self-esteem and confidence. She also talks about how playing sports helped her develop confidence in her body.

The work Ali does to help women optimize their bodies and achieve optimal health (00:01:55)
Ali explains her background as a doctor and her passion for women's health. She discusses her programs that combine cognitive and dialectical behavioral sciences, nutrition, and exercise to help women achieve their most optimal health.

The discomfort of the program (00:10:50)
Ali and Brenda discuss the discomfort and big feelings that come with Ali's program, and how it may not initially feel good but gets easier over time.

The rebranding of the podcast (00:12:24)
Ali talks about how her podcast is being rebranded from "Women Physicians" to "Transform" to better reflect its content, which is not limited to women physicians.

The principles of intuitive nutrition (00:19:07)
Ali explains her approach to nutrition, which includes intuitive eating and being snobby about indulgences, choosing only the best options for enjoyment.

Snobby with Food and Indulgence (00:20:59)
Ali discusses the importance of being selective with the food we consume and indulging in high-quality experiences.

The Impact of Self-Worth on Shopping and Clothing (00:21:31)
Ali talks about how our self-worth affects our shopping habits and the difference between buying high-end items versus discounted ones.

Nurturing Ourselves and Pouring Love into Ourselves (00:29:06)
Ali and Brenda discuss the importance of slowing down, setting a table, and nurturing ourselves to show self-love and build confidence.

The impact of Ozempic on body weight (31:23)
Ali discusses the experience of shame and lack of knowledge around weight in America, and explains how Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists work for weight loss.

Obesity as a disease (34:40)
Ali emphasizes that obesity is a disease and not solely a result of lifestyle choices, and discusses the genetic and hormonal factors that contribute to obesity.

Seeking help for weight management (38:04)
Ali encourages acceptance and seeking help for weight management, and suggests starting with a general doctor or an obesity medicine specialist for medication and guidance.

The importance of affordable medication (00:40:23)
Discussion on the accessibility and affordability of medication, particularly for those whose insurance doesn't cover it.

Challenges in obtaining weight loss medication (00:41:10)
Exploring the limitations and criteria for insurance coverage of weight loss medication, and the need to find doctors who can think outside the box.

Connecting with Ali and her program (00:42:21)
Information on how to connect with Ali and her program, Fit Woman Collective, through their website and Instagram.

 

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