This post has been on my heart for a while. It’s a topic that gets in my head, brews into fear, and colors every aspect of my life. It is a part of my life that I feel called to share and be honest about, even if it’s not well received by others.
I am not perfect, and that sounds like a “duh” statement, but I feel the need to say it. Because sometimes people assume that, as a registered dietitian and a Beach Body health and fitness coach, my diet must be cleaner than soap and my self-control and motivation must never fail me. And that is far from the truth. I think I speak for the majority of those in my profession when I say that the reason we went into this field is BECAUSE of our issues. Because we struggled, fell, got back up, struggled again, etc. Because we are not perfect. I became a health and fitness professional because I got me some issues!
Growing up, I was the skinny girl. My grandpa used to tickle me and count my ribs. Food and weight was something I never struggled with. I used to be able to put down multiple donuts, bowls of goldfish crackers, and slices of pizza with no problem. But, like many girls, once I hit 13-15 years of age, my metabolism slowed down, and the foods I was eating started to stick. I started getting comments from older adults stating how I was filling out and getting chubby. I got told by multiple people that I should start exercising or I would get bigger and bigger. My self esteem took a huge hit, and I started to diet. And by diet, I mean a 500-600 calories a day kind of diet.
I am blessed with an UNBELIEVABLY aware mom, and she caught on in just a few weeks and took me straight to the doctor. I remember feeling almost relieved at 14 years old that my mom had found out, because now I could finally EAT! And eat I did...which is when the binging cycles started. I would eat snacks all day long. When I finally was able to drive, I would go on grocery store runs or stop by fast food places on my way home from high school. I went in completely the other direction with my health. I entered into a binge-restrict cycle that lasted for many, many years.
I have over 1000 followers on Instagram, write regularly on this blog about health and fitness, post motivational quotes, healthy meals, and daily inspiration. I want to inspire everyone around me. But that does not mean I am perfect!
I never EVER want people to feel judgement from me, because trust me, I have been on every end of the spectrum when it comes to food issues. I decided to be a dietitian, and then pursue Beach Body coaching, because I WANT people to have a healthy relationship with themselves, their food, and their health. Because I know what it’s like to eat the bare minimum, to stuff myself and not be able to move, to just think about when to get my next sugar high, and to fear the scale. I KNOW. I am all too familiar with it.
God has done such a work in me, and I want the same for you! I have found that the more I open up about my struggles and the more honest I am with others, the more HE uses me for His purposes and to help others. And that is where true freedom lies. I know that I have struggled all these years for a reason, and now it is time for me to pay it forward and help others.
And that is why I am so unbelievably passionate about what I do. I am passionate about healthy eating, working out, and finding balance. So what if I’m not perfect? None of us are. That is the beauty of this life: we get to mess up and help others along the way.
So let me help you, because trust me I have been there! I would love to hear from you. Click on the “contact me” tab and fill out a form, and we can get started sharing our stories with each other!
