An episode of the Last First Date Radio podcast, posted to lastfirstdate.com, features Tamar Samuels, a registered dietitian and founder of Colina Health. The conversation covers why she became a coach, how she motivates clients, and how nutrition intersects with dating, particularly for people over 40.
The most useful thread is her argument that you should not wait until you have lost weight to date again. The body you have now is the body you take on dates.
- At a glance:
- Source: lastfirstdate.com, episode of Last First Date Radio
- Guest: Tamar Samuels, RD and founder of Colina Health
- Covers weight loss after menopause, post-divorce dating, and dating nutrition
- Argues against postponing dating until weight loss
- Recommends strength training and protein intake for adults over 40
- Recommends not skipping meals to control cravings
What she recommends
Samuels argues for a strength-based coaching approach: let the client lead, ask what they actually want, and work backward from there. On nutrition specifically, she recommends increasing strength training to offset muscle loss that comes with age. She recommends adding protein to every meal and snack: yogurt, nuts, lean proteins. Most people, she says, eat more carbohydrates than protein. She also recommends not skipping meals, which can spike blood sugar and disrupt hormones.
For dating specifically, the argument is that body weight and shape should not be a barrier. You can date while you work on your health. The two do not have to be sequential.
Our analysis
For our readers, the value of the piece is the rejection of the "lose weight first, then date" script. That script is common. It is also a trap. It postpones dating indefinitely, and the postponement becomes its own kind of loss.
The nutrition advice is standard, evidence-based, and aimed at the over-40 crowd. The dating advice is the more interesting bit. Samuels is right that the two do not have to be sequenced. Many people date while losing weight. Many people lose weight while dating. The order does not matter as much as the framing.
What it means for you
If you have been postponing dating until you feel ready, the practical question is what you are actually waiting for. If the answer is "to lose weight," consider whether you can date now and lose weight in parallel. Most people can.
A worked example: a date that supports the goal
Say you have a first date at a restaurant. Look at the menu ahead of time if possible. Pick something you would actually enjoy that includes protein and vegetables. Order it without apology. Do not skip breakfast to "save calories" for the date. Eat normally that day. Walk to the restaurant if you can. The date becomes part of your health routine, not an exception to it. That framing is healthier, and it is also more sustainable.
What to watch next
Watch for more dating content aimed at the over-40 audience to integrate health advice. The audience wants both. The supply has not caught up.
Key takeaways
- You do not have to lose weight before you start dating again.
- Strength training and protein intake are key for adults over 40.
- Skipping meals to control weight often backfires.
- Dating and health improvement can happen at the same time.
- Looking at a restaurant menu ahead of time is a small but useful dating habit.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the guest on the podcast?
The guest is Tamar Samuels, a registered dietitian and founder of Colina Health, interviewed on Last First Date Radio on lastfirstdate.com.
Does she recommend waiting to date until you lose weight?
No. She explicitly argues against postponing dating for weight loss.
What are her nutrition tips for adults over 40?
She recommends strength training, more protein per meal, and not skipping meals.
Does she offer specific dating advice?
She recommends treating dining out as part of a healthy routine, not as an exception, and planning ahead.
Where can readers find her?
Her website is culinahealth.com, with social handles listed in the original post.