Ever set out to make a big change, pumped up with good intentions and iron-clad willpower, only to feel like you’ve hit a wall a few weeks in? Suddenly, that healthy habit you were so excited about seems impossible, and you’re left feeling “weak” or “undisciplined.” Sound familiar? 🤔 Here’s the thing: it’s not just about willpower! One of the biggest factors influencing our behavior is often right under our noses—our environment. Yep, the spaces around us can either make it easier or harder to stick to our goals. Access, or how easy things are to reach, can have a huge impact on what we do (or don’t do). The best part? Most of us can tweak our surroundings to nudge us toward those positive changes. A classic example is the “kitchen … [Read more...] about Want to Make Lasting Changes? Start with Your Environment!
Nutrition
Menopause and Weight Gain
First things first—menopause is not just a “phase”; it’s the point after 12 months without a period. The years leading up to it, called perimenopause, often bring changes that can contribute to weight gain. And it’s not just menopause—aging is a player too! On average, women gain around 4-6 pounds during perimenopause, though this varies widely. Why Weight Increases: Smart Strategies for Managing Menopause Weight Gain: It turns out, the usual “eat less, exercise more” approach doesn’t quite work the same way after menopause. Here’s what has helped me: The bottom line? Weight gain during menopause isn’t a given, but it does require some adjustments. It’s all about tuning in to what your body needs now—experimenting with sleep … [Read more...] about Menopause and Weight Gain
Breaking Free from Food Labels: Embracing a Guilt-Free Approach to Eating
In today's complex nutrition landscape, foods are often labeled as either good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, which can create a pervasive sense of pressure and guilt around eating choices. Many individuals experience feelings of guilt or shame when indulging in treats like pizza, ice cream, or cake, especially outside traditional "acceptable" occasions like holidays or parties. This guilt typically originates from categorizing certain foods as "bad" and interpreting indulgences as a failure of willpower. This mindset often leads to restrictive eating patterns and a continuous cycle of adding new foods to a forbidden list with each attempt at dieting. Here are a few compelling reasons to reconsider labeling food as good versus … [Read more...] about Breaking Free from Food Labels: Embracing a Guilt-Free Approach to Eating
Beyond Calories: Understanding Your Eating Habits Through Journaling
Let's chat about something we often overlook when embarking on a journey to transform our nutrition habits: understanding our current eating habits, patterns, and behaviors. So, here's the deal: one of the best ways to get in tune with what we eat is through journaling. Yup, that's right—scribbling down everything we munch on. It might sound old-school, but trust me, it's a game-changer! Now, there are loads of ways to go about journaling. You could dive into easy-to-use apps like Ate (my go-to with clients), jot stuff down in your phone's notes, or simply use pen and paper. The trick? Stay consistent. Research shows that individuals who maintain food journals are more likely to achieve their weight loss goals. Think of journaling … [Read more...] about Beyond Calories: Understanding Your Eating Habits Through Journaling