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Many clients come into this work, not really knowing how much power this belief has on them: "Something is wrong with me." They often ALSO don't realize how powerfully a part of them is determined to fix themselves. (This drives the years-long quests to find the perfect diet, reach the perfect weight, find the When we operate from fixing, there is no legitimate healing. perfect workout program, or invest an incredible amount of energy into diet, calories, and food rules

Changing one's diet for the better can bring feelings of excitement. One only need imagine six months from now, healthier habits in place and reaping the benefits: improved energy, better digestion, clothes fitting well, skin improvements, increased confidence... So why is it that some people manage to maintain improved eating habits long-term, while Diet changes that stick requires enjoyment, emotional intelligence, and realistic expectations. others are perpetually swinging

How does a woman define what a "good" relationship with food is? And how does she measure whether or not she's arrived there? Generally, women are aware of when they don't have a great relationship with food because they might have obvious struggles (or more subtle struggles), like chronic overeating, heavily restricted eating, binge eating, general dietary neglect, or leisure time spent ruminating over diets and diet protocols. They might also have psychological hang-ups aro

Binge eating is one of the more frustrating and demoralizing eating habits, rarely discussed with loved ones often due to feelings of embarrassment or shame. I recall a client telling me the closest she got to revealing her binge eating habit was with her running friends, jokingly "confessing" to "stuffing herself with cookies" the night before and needing the run. Though there are two types of binges: 1.) Objective Binge: The most commonly associated binge which includes an

It's frustrating. You sit down to have something of a sensible dinner, and next thing you know, you find yourself reaching for seconds your meal, and grazing on treats through the evening, Emotional eating is a teacher, inviting us to wake up and continue our self-development. even though you're not hungry. Or you perhaps you successfully eat your sensible dinner, then at some point in the evening, even though you swore you wouldn't, you find yourself scouring the pantry or

If you're identify as a Highly Sensitive Person or Empath, you know what it feels like to be feel deeply at peace near the water, in the forest, listening to moving music, or the sense of loving calm of being with grounded people that really get you. You also likely know what its like to feel the dissonance of too much external stimulation or being around aggressive, passive aggressive, or unkind energies. Sensitive people attune to and mirror resonant experiences in their bo

How does a women really know if she is (still) struggling with eating? You and I both know that there is a vast spectrum that lies between healthy, empowered eater and full blown eating disorder. You don't need to be eating 500 calories a day or be binge eating every night to "qualify" as having a complicated relationship with food. Many women feel "okay" about their eating, but still: Research diet plans online somewhat compulsively Feel shame or anxiety about their body

If you've been struggling with chronic bloating, you know the discomfort: tight clothes, that "unsettled" intestinal feeling, the classic distention that feels so uncomfortable, or the feeling of food just sitting in your belly. Digestive challenges are some of the more elusive symptoms to manage and improve due to wide-ranging variables that impact the gut. The gut is considered the "second brain" and contains a vast network of neurons that manage digestion as communicate wi

In my professional experience, binge eating is one of the most frustrating and shame-inducing habits on the eating spectrum. It goes beyond simply "overeating" in its volume of food, intensity, urgency, and often, its cause. Binge eating episodes can vary a bit from person to person, however, there are certain identifying characteristics. Did I just binge eat? Urgency: Many experience a sense of "the blinders going on," and a strong sense eating must happen right now. Some o

Many of the women I work with report a time in their younger years, whether in high school or college, that they struggled with restrictive eating, binge eating, compulsive exercise, purging, or some combination of these. One woman I recently worked with recalls running 5-10 miles each day, even when sick or tired. Another recalls trying to eat 1000-1200 calories a day, then falling into patterns of painful binge eating episodes. Research indicates that 10-30% of college-age

Many people have the nutritional goal of eating only when they’re hungry and never turning to food for any other reason. "I only want to view food as fuel" -- sound familiar? As admirable as this sounds, you and I both know this isn’t as realistic as one might hope. Many of us ask food to do several jobs for us (outside of fueling the body). This can feel stressful for people that are trying to get their eating “in order,” but remember, human beings have needs. And it feels

Mental health is deeply connected to what we eat and how we relate to food and others. Many people focus on diet for physical health but overlook its impact on the mind. A balanced diet rich in protein, fiber, and colorful fruits and vegetables supports brain function and mood. At the same time, reducing or omitting alcohol and improving your relationship with food and the people around you can create a powerful foundation for mental wellbeing. This post explores a practical

Many of the clients I've worked with over the years have expressed a sense of ambivalence about tracking their food or calories. On the one hand, daily tracking of calories can feel laborious and like a full time job. On the other, using a food or diet app can offer a path of hope, feeling that getting the right types of food in the right amounts could actually contribute to better health (and maybe a different weight or body composition). So how do you really know if a diet

Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) make up about, roughly, 20% of the population. High sensitivity is a morally neutral trait that points to deep processing of stimuli, strong empathy, heightened awareness of subtleties, emotional depth, and a tendency to get easily overwhelmed by sensory stimulation or social pressure. Sensitive people often need regular downtime to recharge and process experiences deeply. Sensitive people are also prone to the dreaded "hangry" experience, as ph

Are you over "setting intentions" for the New Year? I am. Well, at least, I'm over the manic and unrealistic push to become "better" at some aspect of your life, instantly. Yet, the freshness of a New Year does offer the relief of a year behind us and a blank canvas to creativity participate in life in new ways. So here's what I have to say: If you are drawn to the fresh feeling a New Year's resolution, this is what I see actually work well for myself and the clients I've wo

For the sake of defining "real food" for the purpose of this blog, I'll say real food is food that is relatively low in processing. For example, boxed cereal is generally high in processing and sweet potatoes are low in processing. I generally guide people that are interested in improving their diet and health to increase the amount of fresh, less-processed foods and rely less on heavily processed foods as their primary source of nutrition. Many people assume that in order to

Peanut butter -- the nostalgic food from our youth we delightfully spread on bananas, celery, apples, toast, and paired with chocolate for a real treat. Why is it that some foods from our younger years, we give little thought to, and others have some kind of strange power over us into adulthood? Peanut butter seems to be one of those foods for a lot of people. And lamenting over having eaten a bit too much by the spoonful is surprisingly common (at least in my profession work

Here's something I hope you find curious... The women I know that generally accept themselves the most have an easier time eating well or making changes to eat well, sustainably. And the women I know that accept themselves the least often have a more difficult time eating well or making changes to eat well, sustainably. Why do you think that is? Perfectionism, explained Many women that are struggling with their body or their eating, deep down, are often struggling with

I used to struggle with my eating...terribly. So much so, that I assumed that my challenges with eating would punctuate my life through...

Being a woman. Having a body. Eating. Simple? It really should be. But as you know, being a woman navigating nutrition and diet can be tricky terrain. And often times, women I work with are unwittingly shooting themselves in the foot when they set out to work on their diet, making things more difficult, not more easeful. There are a handful of things, if women would stop doing, would propel their eating and relationship with food in a loving direction. Here they are.