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

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...

  Below is the speech I gave at my grandpa's funeral last week.  This is something I've always wanted to do for someone who has passed, and I'm so proud of myself for having the courage to honor my grandpa's life in a way that (I was told) really touched so many people <3   When I was getting ready to write this speech honoring my gpa...one word kept coming to me over + over again; one word that described him perfectly. And while it may not be earthshattering to most, it’s still true. MY GPA WAS FUNNY! …(And ornery)…but mostly funny. I hope to capture some of that humor with the highlights of his life I share today.   My grandpa grew up in a small town in Iowa (Ackley)…which when I was younger, I could have sworn it was hours and hours away from Perry…but come to find out the trip only seemed that way when my grandma or grandpa drove us J (Unlike me, they like to follow speed limits).   I know that my grandpa grew up on a fa...