Trust Me I'm a (mom)(yogi) RD

Many of us have probably set New Years' Resolutions in the past, and odds are likely (at times) they have centered around changing our weight or bodies.  For work this week, I was motivated to lead a body image group facilitating a discussion on just this topic and how to change the narrative for our New Year goals....and luckily, I stumbled upon a website that immediately gave me inspiration.  If you're curious to check out the original post, here's a link to the  Ravishly Article  , but I also thought I would share the author's affirmations that I provided with my clients today. (I also purposefully changed the word Resolutions to Intentions, as that resonates with me more....but feel free to use whatever works best for you). ******* Fifty options for new year’s intentions that are actually  centered on taking care of your body. 1. I will avoid stepping on a scale, because that number tells me nothing about my health or my happiness. 2. In fact, maybe some day...

I will be honest - when I first saw Lizzo's post yesterday discussing some form of "detox" regimen she has been following, the body image advocate in me was disappointed.  But then as I sat back and thought for a moment, something occurred to me: It's none of my fucking business. Lizzo's post is the perfect example that celebrities are not immune to diet culture. We cannot and should not be mad or disappointed at the person being sucked into diet culture; but instead the grasp that the dieting industry has on all of us - no matter where we are on our body image journey.   Sure, as a dietitian working in eating disorders, it makes me nervous that young followers who idolize her may follow in her footsteps. It's also not unbeknownst to me that Lizzo is someone who many in the body positive or fat positive communities look up to.  But this got me thinking - never once to my knowledge did Lizzo ASK to be a body image advocate along with her celebrity title.  This ...

I recently listened to a podcast (I'll share the link below) that really inspired me to write my own post on the topic. Throughout my dietetics career, I myself have spouted the term "Food is your medicine" to clients in a number of different settings.  Let's be honest - it's simple, catchy, almost tongue in cheek; hence why it's used in sooooo many taglines by professionals giving nutrition education.  I think most people who use it aren't intending harm, but rather trying to meet clients or audiences where they are at.  In our dietetics curriculum, we are taught that there are many health benefits to consuming a variety of nutrients, so at the surface level, treating what you eat as "medicine" might feel useful at first. So where could this otherwise harmless statement actually become harmful ?  In my experience working with disordered eating patients, "Food as medicine" can become a way for the ED to twist and factualize the client...

I think it's safe to say 2020 has been a stressful year for all of us. Working in mental health, I've personally seen a spike in anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns coming up for both clients and colleagues alike (myself included). Being considered essential employees respectively, my husband and I have both continued to work in-person the entire pandemic; and are currently bracing for yet again the second wave of increased COVID cases.  From my point of view, my family and coworkers have done a tremendous job continuing to show up for our clients/customers in the most stressful of times; no type of emergency drill or education can prepare you for this historical experience we're all living through.   But recently, specifically in the last few months & latter part of the year - I'm realizing a number of stressors are finally taking its toll and starting to wear us ALL down. I've learned in myself that I show up either one of two ways under stres...

Some of you may already know I'm currently working towards my Intuitive Eating Counselor certification, so I thought I would take some time to describe more in detail what Intuitive Eating actually is! (Mainly because this modality - along with most nutrition information out there - is often misconstrued and co-opted by diet culture, and I want to set the record straight).  A little history: in 1995, two Registered Dietitians (Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole) created and published the first edition of the book after realizing traditional "diets" they were prescribing to patients just weren't working.  Now it's been over 25 years since the first book came out: the 4th revision was just released & includes more weight-inclusive and social justice language.  There's also now over 200+ scientific studies and evidenced-based journal articles backing up this approach.  It's hard to argue against when  evidence based is behind the name. :)   For me, I re...

I have to be honest - I hate the term "lifestyle change."   This is because the dieting industry has co-opted it as a way to insidiously not use the word "diet" in their marketing.  In my professional opinion, the only true "lifestyle changes" occur when someone is authentically living in their truth; nourishing their body, their mind and spirit....in whatever way feels best for them.  Not surprising, my issue with diets is they're advertised as a "one-size-fits-all" model to achieve "health and wellness" for everyone....which we know from the plethora of research and data out there: diets are not sustainable, and they rarely result in weight loss long-term (<5% of people who try them keep weight off longer than 1-5 years).  Hence the irony that diet companies continue to create and advertise their newest and latest plans...because they ultimately have a 95% failure rate. It's probably obvious why the ketogenic diet (keto fo...

I've honestly been having a difficult time coming up with any motivation to write for this blog lately. Part of it is probably imposter syndrome - thinking I have nothing to add to the much needed and important conversations that are happening all over the world.  I also think like many of us, my own stress responses have been so heightened with all the intense emotions, that my initial reaction is to just avoid EVERYTHING...even when it's something I enjoy (like writing, or other hobbies of mine). But that got me thinking:  how is my natural response to stress actually adding to my overall stress level?  It's basically a self-fulfilling prophecy - I tend to shut down all outside stimuli to "reset" my anxiety (which at first is a useful self-care tool). But doing this for long periods of time can actually result in not so positive outcomes, such as isolation, avoidance, or depressive symptoms.  And because humans naturally want to live in community, too much iso...

It's been hard to navigate how and what to say during this time in our nation's history. As a white woman, I am fully aware of my privilege and don't want to take up any "extra" space on a media platform that is already filled with other white, cis-gendered, thin, able bodied women....especially on an issue that we are NOT experts in.  Yet as a wife and mom to Black men, the issue of racism is by no means new to me.  What is interesting is seeing other white people "wake up" to racism, (or on the other extreme blatantly disregard it).  But to be completely transparent, it's also humbling to learn I have not just been an observer in white supremacy or patriarchal systems. By being white, I first have to acknowledge the benefits I've received from others' oppression if I ever want to assist movement towards change. Just on the basic level of being a human and professional in the mental health space who treats a diverse group of clients....I fee...

This week in body image group, I offered a journal prompt for clients to write a letter to their younger selves.  The resource I obtained this idea from gave these instructions: Pick a specific age -- the one that feels like you most needed a hug or a double high five.  Tell this littler you all the reasons you're awesome, say why you're proud of you, maybe draw yourself a trophy.  Tell you some of the wonderful, amazing things you're going to love about your life.  Then, take a moment to recognize that you're actually living that amazing, wonderful life right now. And as per usual, I myself also participated in this activity - because why not do the tough work I'm also asking my clients to do!? Below is my result: Dear 11-12 year old Abbie, HI!!  Right now, you are very fixated and obsessed with food and your body.  It doesn't seem like a problem, but you are very, very sick.   And because I know that no one has told you this yet...

The first time I ever tried meditation (in 2013),  I HATED IT! I was in my yoga teacher training, and could not wrap my head around why I (or anyone for that matter) would want to sit still with their own thoughts for any period of time.  During training, I couldn't even get through our pranayama (breath work) or meditation intensives without uncontrollably giggling, (which today makes me so embarrassed to admit).  But nevertheless, I got through this portion of yoga teacher training, and went on my merry way leading yoga classes in a number of different settings for about 2 1/2 years (with some breaks along the way due to pregnancy). When I moved to Minnesota in 2017 for my dream dietitian job, I was heartbroken to give up teaching yoga classes regularly in Iowa.  I felt I had finally found my community of like-minded people, and it took a lot of soul searching to give this up for the potential of something greater.  Since I've been in Minnesota, I ...

In our diet-obsessed and "thin-spo" food culture, it's no surprise that ANY form of pleasure around food or eating is demonized.  We have been brainwashed to believe that we have to be extremely rigid around how we nourish our bodies; that somehow our bodies and metabolism aren't already extremely intelligent beyond our control.  Then when we restrict our eating, it's no wonder our physiological hunger takes hold, continuing the diet/binge cycle. What exactly is  emotional eating?  According to wikipedia (this was the only neutral definition I could find that didn't include diet-talk or food-shaming): Emotional eating is defined as "The propensity to eat in response to positive and/or negative emotions."    So by this definition, any form of eating could be considered emotional, because we as humans are never absent of said feelings.  However, if a client comes to me and claims they have a "problem" with emotional eating, it's u...