Strong and independent as we are, we often forget that asking for help is a perfectly normal thing to do. We live busy lives, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t possibly become an expert in everything. And why would you? Let the plumber fix your clogged drains. Let the hairstylist cut your hair. And let the nutrition coach help you get on track with your daily nutrient intake.
What is nutrition coaching?
Nutrition coaching (aka nutrition counseling or wellness coaching) is the process of developing essential nutrition skills and knowledge under a guidance of a professional nutrition counselor. Unlike a plumber or a hairstylist, a nutrition coach can’t do the work for you. Her job is to give you the tools to change the way you see food, buy food and consume food in order to help you achieve your personal health goals.
Who can benefit from nutrition coaching?
Generally speaking, most people could benefit from working with a nutrition coach to some extent. If any of the following sound familiar, then you could definitely use a hand with your nutrition:
- You struggle to lose or gain weight
- The food you eat doesn’t make you feel energetic
- You are confused about all the diets and health advice you read online
- You can’t seem to find the time for healthy nutrition
- You know what you should be eating, but you are stuck in your old ways
Particularly consider nutrition coaching if you are suffering from gastro-intestinal issues, such as frequent heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers, colitis, etc. Or if your doctor has recommended maintaining a certain diet to control your other medical conditions, such as high/low blood sugar, diabetes, heart issues, etc. Proper nutrition often helps relieve many unpleasant symptoms associated with these and other medical conditions, as well as reduce the number of (and sometimes eliminate) prescription medications you are taking.
What is it like to work with a nutrition coach?
Like we mentioned earlier, the job of your Towson nutrition coach is not to tell you what to eat and what not to eat. Their job is to help you learn to make these decisions on your own. It’s not always an easy process, which is why it’s essential to find a good coach.
At Women in Wellness, we strive to be your companion on this journey. From the first appointment to the last, we are here to listen to your concerns, provide advice and guidance. It’s more of a partnership than a teacher-student type of environment. And you need to be open-minded and open for change if you want to get the most out of this experience. What makes Cara-Michele different? She is a whole-food counselor, and her specialty is in making sure your cells are getting the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals for them to function at high levels.
Is nutrition coaching the same as a diet?
Nutrition coaching is not the same as dieting. Weight loss is not as much of a goal as a pleasant side effect with nutrition coaching. When you “go on a diet,” whether it’s juicing, grapefruit diet or anything else, it often involves counting your calories and even starving yourself in hopes of a quick weight loss. And some of these diets deliver on their promises, but often mess up your metabolism or hormonal balance in the process.
At Women in Wellness, we are looking at cellular functions as a way to relieve your symptoms and meet your goals. Thousands of cells make up our organs, stomach, liver, kidneys… If the cells are worn out or weakened due to poor eating habits, the organs can’t function well. As a result, we have symptoms such as indigestion, headaches, fatigue, hot flashes and reoccurring cold and respiratory concerns
Nutrition coaching is not about counting calories, but is about understanding which nutritional deficiencies are causing your symptoms. We then partner with you to figure out how to fill them and start making healthier food choices based on your tastes and preferences. You won’t be forced to eat broccoli if you absolutely can’t stand it. That’s why a nutrition coach is such a valuable partner on this journey, because she can help you not get bored with healthy foods. When you work with a nutrition coach, you don’t just follow a regiment—you get to explore why you eat the way you eat and what needs to change for you to become healthy.
Another big difference between nutrition coaching and dieting is that dieting is only a temporary measure. You diet for a week or for a month, but then you go back to your old habits and gain some of the weight back. Nutrition coaching produces long-lasting results. Once you are equipped with these healthy eating skills, you can continue using them and, better yet, sharing with your family members. If you are the person who is mostly responsible for food shopping and cooking in your household, you can now make sure you entire family eats healthy.
Will I have to take pills?
Yes and No. A big part of getting your nutrition in order is making sure your body receives enough vitamins and nutrients. Because we don’t usually get everything we need from the food we eat, vitamins and nutrients have to be supplemented via alternative sources. At Women in Wellness, we rely on Standard Process whole food supplements made from real vegetables and specifically formulated to retain maximum nutritional value. Some of them come in pills and some are in a powdered form. So in that sense, you will have to take some pills as another way of getting the veggies you are missing, but not the kind that comes with a long list of side effects.
How soon can I expect results?
There is no magic number—everyone is different. For some people it will take weeks or months to feel significant relief of their symptoms or to experience weight loss. This is why we like to combine acupuncture and nutrition coaching. Acupuncture can help with immediate symptom reduction and nutrition will help bring about changes on a cellular level. Weather you use acupuncture in combination with the nutrition or nutrition coaching on its own, there will be some effects that you will notice immediately. Having more energy, sleeping better at night, having fewer stomach issues, feeling happier and healthier are just a few pleasant outcomes to name.
How do I get started?
Are you ready to make positive changes in your life? Contact Women in Wellness today for nutrition coaching in Towson, Maryland. Cara-Michele Nether is a professional nutrition counselor who works with men, women and families to help them become healthier and happier. If you think your health is far from 10 out of 10, we can help you get there! Fill out the form below to request a free consultation.
