Did you know that emotional eating is a learned response? It goes against what our bodies actually want to do when we "eat our stress." Naturally speaking, when we are under stress, the body goes into fight or flight mode. A full stomach is not conducive to either of these actions! (Hormonally speaking, stress sets off a chain of events that breaks down and mobilizes energy-yielding nutrients. This increases the amount of glucose and fats in the blood so that the body cells can easily produce energy for the fight or flight. Now, instead of fight or flight, we sit on the couch, so those nutrients do not get used, and then they end up back as belly fat.) So, if stress eating is a learned response, where do we learn it? Well, I hate to place all of the blame on parents... but we tend to learn it from our families. The next time a little one that you know needs cheering up, opt for something other than food! Spontaneous dance party, anyone?
We live in a world where we want a quick fix to a long term problem. We wake up one day and find that we gained 20 (or 50 pounds) - and we want it gone tomorrow. Except, we did not gain that weight literally over night, so we do we think we should lose it over night? Because commercials and magazine covers tell us that we should. We have no problem trying the latest fad diet - until we get tired of cabbage, or miss pasta, or have a stressful day at work. Ask someone to eat less, actively reduce stress, or find some time to exercise - well, that's just crazy talk. We have known for over 20 years that poor choices in eating, exercise and smoking lead to the leading causes of death in the US. If we were to make better choices when it came to food, exercise, tobacco, stress, sleeping and socializing (that is, actually being social, not just pseudo-social through social media), we could prevent 80% of premature death.
It should be easy enough, right? Most of us enjoy spending time with people that we like. No one wants to not be healthy. Unfortunately, sometimes we need help making and sticking with healthy choices. Evidence has shown us that intensive diet and exercise counseling can help improve health outcomes in people with risk factors for chronic disease. Intensive. Not a single trip to the doctor. Not reading articles on the internet, especially ones written by people with questionable qualifications. Instead, people need regular support and encouragement, coupled with good quality information. This kind of support comes from frequent, regular visits with a health care professional, or from participation in something like one of my wellness groups.
Sometimes I forget that I live in a world where people do not understand what dietitians can do. Sure, I've seen the pictures on Facebook and laughed that laugh that goes along with the sad truth.
However, in my mind, I still think that people have a general concept of dietitians - until I start talking to non-dietitians. Yesterday, I was having a conversation with a fellow public health employee, and he had no idea that dietitians could bill (and be reimbursed by most insurance companies) for nutrition counseling. As dietitians, we often complain that salaries and reimbursement are poor, but how could it not be when fellow health professionals do not even realize that we are not only valuable providers, but also legitimate providers in the healthcare arena? But I digress... Dietitians can do many things. Sure, some are still trying to be the food police, telling you what you can and cannot eat. Others (like me) understand that not everyone is in quite the same place in life, and we need a little grace and understanding as we struggle to balance all the demands of life. Dietitians cannot fix all of your problems. However, we have the tools to help and support people as we strive toward healthier decisions and actions!
I was raised in a middle class, two-income family. My parents got married two days after my mom graduated high school. My mom always regretted working to put my dad through college and not getting to go to college herself (and therefore never making/ having as much money as she would like to have). There was never any question about whether or not I would go to college. The problem, however, was that at 17, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up.
When I was about 19, someone - who did not know me at all - told me that I should be a teacher, because "teaching is good pay for a lady." If I had had any thoughts about being a teacher, that definitely got rid of them!
Around the same time, I learned about a major in nutrition and food science. It included two things that were fun for me - food and science. I did not know at the time that it was placing me on a career path with the same "great" pay as teaching.
I love teaching, as a matter of fact. I love helping people who want to learn the facts about nutrition and health, and guiding people on the path to better health. One problem with our current medical model, though, is that we don't help "healthy" people stay healthy - we put a band aid on people after they get really sick. The Western medical field is shifting somewhat to prevention, but we still have a long way to go until that becomes the first line of defense and dietitians are well used to help people achieve their healthiest potential.
Because I wasn't happy in the current medical model, I spent some time floundering, trying to find where I belonged. This lead to some choices that put me in excessively stressful situations. I did not always handle that stress well. I was overworked and I ate my stress. Despite "knowing better," I ended up at the most I had ever weighed in my life. I was still overworked, overwhelmed, and felt like I had no time to take care of myself.
Then one day I met Jessica Baumgartner. She, along with my naturopath, motivated me to take control of my life and my health. If I cannot make time to care for myself, I am not going to be very good at taking care of other people - including my family - for very long. I had a hard time committing to exercise, because it required 30 minutes, an hour or more. Then I starte doing 10 Minute Trainer - even on my most hectic days I can squeeze in ten minutes to exercise (and it is so short that my daughter is not usually demanding my attention before I am done).
I love that I have found a way to help people eat better and move more, reducing risks of chronic disease and poor health. I have an outlet to help people who already have health conditions, as well as those who want to keep themselves healthy and active for years to come!
If you can relate to anything that I have said, I encourage you to reach out to me. If you are interested in losing weight and feeling healthy, or if you would like to learn more about being a health coach, please use the links below to reach out to me. If this is not a good fit for you or the opportunity for you, I am just glad that we got to connect. I love meeting new people and I would still like to keep in touch! I hope that you enjoyed this video and that something that I said inspires you. I hope to talk to you really soon! Bye!
One of my major nutritional philosophies is that diets don't work. People go on diets with the mindset that one day they will go "off" the diet. There is a better way - just not an easier way. Real weight loss requires lifestyle modifications. It is not the easy road, but it can lead to long-term success. Read what my friend, Jess, has to say:
No more quick fixes or yo-yo diets!
Let’s get HEALTHY for LIFE together!
Do you feel like you’ve tried every single diet out there, every pill, formula, & all for the weight to just pile back on? You’re not alone. I know what it’s like to struggle with feeling defeated, like there’s no hope for you, depressed, & uncomfortable in your own skin. That was me half of my life. I am here to tell you that you don’t have to feel that way anymore. Just take my hand & we will start this journey to a brand new you together!
Here are are my results – there’s NO reason they can’t be yours, too!!! I was in HORRENDOUS shape when I started & my main food groups were fried foods, alcohol, & sweets. If I was able to change, so can YOU!
Jess
I don't want you to just start some other program - I want to finish it together! That's what my groups are all about! I will give you the tools that have helped me, Jess, and many others reach their goals. We will meet in a private group with so much support that we will not fail! What do you have to lose? I'll tell you what you will gain - confidence, strength and the ability to live a healthy, sustainable life. Watch and listen as Jess explains the impact of these challenge groups on her life:
All of my wellness challenge groups include:
A full fitness program specific to your goals
Recipe guide including meals and snacks
Private Facebook group for accountability and support
One-on-one access to me as your coach
Results!
If you are ready to leave the excuses behind, set goals, and make a real healthy change, head over here to fill out a quick questionnaire and I will help you get started on a healthier you!
