I have spent over one third of my life battling disordered eating and poor body image. I would view food as good or bad. All of my thinking was black and white. I would allow myself to eat based on the scale, my mood, or what environment I was in. Exercise consumed me. I thought this was the only way to achieve my “perfect” weight, body and life. This mindset had me trapped. I thought there was no way out.
I had spent years in and out of therapy, seeing nutritionists. I was even in both inpatient and outpatient programs at different points. Nothing seemed to work. I was too focused on the outside and not focusing on the inside. Instead of listening to what my body was telling me it needed, I focused on what I thought it needed; more carbs, less carbs, lower weight, higher weight. I thought there was no way I was ever going to be able to live a ‘normal’ life.
Then, a few years ago, a very special person entered my life. They gave me the best gift I could ever receive: the opportunity to heal myself, from the inside out – mind, body and soul. Not only was I gifted health but also the opportunity to immerse myself in all of the education and tools I needed to help others, like yourself, overcome these same battles.
As hard as it is for me to put these words out for the world to see, it is important because it tells you why I coach. I do not want anyone to go through the struggles and pain that I did. Life is too short to be wasted. It is not about good or bad foods. It is not all or nothing, black or white. It is about learning to fuel your body in a healthy and balanced way so that you can enjoy life to the fullest! It’s about creating memories with those who lift you up and make you better, not about the hours in the gym or the grams of carbs you eat.
Someday, when you look back on your life, you’ll want to remember the moments that mattered, like family vacations at the beach or trips to Napa, not what you ate and how many times you worked out.
