Last week I had two ‘Aha’ moments.
The first one was when a client told me that her boyfriend didn’t want to come in to see me even though he’d been experiencing bothersome digestive issues for quite some time. He knew this was an area that I’m an expert in, and yet he did not want my help.
Now, I know firsthand how miserable it is to have a digestive system that’s not working properly, so for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why someone would not seek help. Then my client told me why her boyfriend didn’t want to see me. She said he was convinced that I would make him stop eating his favorite foods. Well, in truth, his assumption is likely right, but it may be not as bad as he imagines.
To begin with, I never try to make anyone do anything (well, almost never). I believe in a core principle that you should be in control of your life and the decisions you make. I let my clients know what I think is going on with them, what’s causing problems and the best way to go about fixing it. Then we discuss what they’re ready to do or not do and come up with a 30-day plan that uniquely fits them.
True, I’ll often recommend omitting a few foods and/or drinks for 30 days. I recommend the elimination of these foods, as a first line therapy, because what we eat and drink can often be the underlying culprit of why we don’t feel well. Thirty days is usually a manageable time period to do without and to see and feel change.
After the 30-day period, my clients are free to add these same foods and drink back in. They have the opportunity to experience the difference with or without them. They, not me, determine if it’s worth it to continue this new way of eating.
The second Aha moment was the realization that I’m neither the most popular nor the most sought-after person at an event where food is being served. Most people would rather not sit at the same table with me. When I tell the person next to me that I’m a nutritionist, there’s often that awkward moment when they look down at their plate hoping that I don’t notice if they’ve included a few items that are perhaps not the best choices.
The truth of the matter is that I do notice. That’s my job. Food is like air to me, but I’m not the harsh critic that so many are afraid I am. In fact, I’m probably much less judgmental than most people are of themselves.
Part of that is due to the fact that I’m less than perfect myself, and I’m very comfortable with that. On occasion, I do have a dessert (but it’s got to be a really really good one and worth it!), a glass of wine, and/or bread. I even indulge in fast food once in a while. (I know, can you believe that?!?)
I encourage an 80/20 rule: eating healthy, in line with what your unique body needs, 80% of the time and enjoying a few foods that are fun but not particularly the most nourishing the other 20%. I think this rule is important and even essential to staying in balance and preventing one from becoming a food Nazi.
(Please keep in mind that if you know gluten or dairy or anything else will have an adverse effect on you, that’s not something I would include in the 20%.)
Before I step away from this topic, I do want to point out that you can still be social and have fun while choosing to eat really well and within your 80%. I do it all the time, and the easiest way to do this is by offering to bring something that you love that will benefit you and others.
I actually get really excited when I have the opportunity to do this! I love nothing more than having people experience something new that I know is really good for them, hearing them rave about it, and then being asked for the recipe. I want to jump up and down when this happens!
Here’s one recipe that’s always a hit! I hope you’ll check out more under ‘Recipes”!
If you have been avoiding me because you are afraid that I’ll ask you to do something you may not want to do, you may have a valid point. There are times a client will tell me that what I’m asking them to do is just too much, only to have them report back that it was much easier than they could’ve imagined. And most of the time, my clients come back feeling so much better and on their way to rewriting their health and life script. I would like to do that for you.
I feel honored every time I’m given the opportunity to know a person’s life story: their family history, lifestyle, diet, aches and pains and more. It is my pleasure to listen to you, to be a your health detective, recommend steps to heal, guide you while you implement these steps, and most of all, support you.
In reality there’s nothing to be afraid of and you may even end up liking me along the way 🙂
I’m hoping those who are truly interested in being healed from the root cause and taking steps towards that will contact me and let me help!
Consultations are available either in person at my Irvine office in CA, or via Skype, Facetime or Phone.
Click Here to Schedule a free 15 minute consultation
I’m looking forward to seeing many of you soon!
If you have friends or family that might be tired of feeling crummy and interested in true healing, from the root cause , please pass this on to them! Thank you!
Love,
Cindy