Is strength training helpful for your health—or could it pull you back into body obsession?

If you’ve ever felt curious about lifting weights but also a little hesitant, you’re not alone. For many women walking toward food freedom, exercise can feel complicated. You might want to care for your body… but you also don’t want to fall back into calorie-burning mindsets, comparison traps, or pressure to change your body.

That tension is real. And it’s worth talking about honestly.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by dietitian and strength coach Rachel DeSonier for a thoughtful conversation about strength training—what it actually looks like, why it matters for your health, and how to approach it in a way that supports your body without fueling body obsession.

A few things you can expect to hear in this episode include…

💪 Why so many women feel intimidated by strength training—and what’s actually behind that fear

🏋️‍♀️ The surprising mindset shift that can completely change how you approach exercise

🧠 How strength training can impact confidence, stress, and your relationship with your body

⚖️ The difference between building strength and chasing body control

✨ A few simple ways to begin exploring strength training without falling into comparison or pressure

Resources mentioned:

> Download Rachel’s 100g Protein Cheat Sheet

> Join my absolute FAVORITE strength training and wellness app for Christian women, The Stronger Collective (*Disclaimer: This is my referral partner link, but I only share tools & resources I love and use myself!)

> Subscribe to Brittany's personal newsletter, The Full Plate Press, for weekly food freedom tips, funny memes, and personal stories from behind-the-scenes shenanigans to mom life craziness to personal lessons you can apply to your food freedom journey.

> Get immediate access to The Joy-Filled Eater Course for the proven process that’s helped dozens upon dozens of women achieving lasting food freedom and better body image.

> Join our FREE Facebook community, Food Freedom & Body Image Support for Christian Women, to ask your questions about cultivating a joy-filled relationship with food, your body, & Jesus.

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Got a question about food freedom, body image, faith, or nutrition? Leave me a SpeakPipe voice note here for a chance to have your question answered on an episode of the Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast!

Connect with Brittany on Instagram @brittanybraswellrd*Reminder - Podcast content is not meant to be taken as professional nutrition or medical advice, or to replace counseling with a licensed therapist. Please consult with your own treatment team.