More than a dietitian
We all have something and someone that contributes to why we do what we do. Often times, it’s not one thing or one person, but an intricate mixture of experiences, people, beliefs, passions, and feelings or desires. Moments build and typically for me, it’s in times of reflection that I realize who and what has influenced my decisions. Every season has had different influencers - with a handful of themes and people being a consistent thread throughout the change. As I begin this blog, it’s a new season, journey, and platform that has been inspired from past and present experience. I’m going to give the why to a few layers in my life – not because it’s exciting, but because I believe sharing our stories is one of the first steps in connecting with each other.
‘Dietitian’ is simply a label, not an identity.
To be honest – I had no dream of what I wanted to be when I “grew up” when I entered college. I did not even know what a dietitian was! I know it’s ridiculous. However, that’s where I find the beauty in where I’m at today. I did not choose to be a dietitian because of the label. I chose to be a dietitian because it’s a way to learn about people and hold a safe, welcoming space for them. My journey has looked far from perfect or linear. It has been full of turns, confusion, hurt, passion, resilience, long nights, fear, hope…the list could continue forever. Being a dietitian is a part of my life, not my whole life. It is one of many ways that I choose to spend my time to connect with others, and it also happens to be my means for living. My job title could change, but that wouldn’t change my purpose or identity. I LOVE listening to people’s stories (I would love to hear yours) and learning what layers and experiences have influenced their relationship with food, health, and their body.
These are a few things that keep me showing up for my day to day, as a dietitian:
A passion, woven deep within me to help others believe that they are enough, as they are. That they have a body that is worth respecting and honoring.
In a world of constantly changing nutrition research and information, overload and confusion, I believe that everyone, including myself, needs a daily reminder to keep eating a simple and positive experience.
Food is an aspect of every single person’s life. Because it is a necessity, it has the ability to bring people together at the table or through a conversation.
Throughout my life, I have had people that have modeled selflessness and whole-heartedness in how they show up for others. I hope to follow in these footsteps.
Sport has been one of my biggest teachers.
From ballet when I was a 6 year old, tap dance, jazz, gymnastics, the soccer field, shooting hoops, my last serve as a college volleyball player…to my current joy of diving through the sand to get a dig, sport has been a part of my story in a big way. However, I’ll try to keep this short and sweet. Sport has taught me what I’m physically and mentally capable of, and even more importantly, it’s taught me about letting go and allowing myself to pursue identity beyond it. It has taught me about passion, work ethic, burnout, mindfulness, and friendship. It’s taught me about what movement feels good and what doesn’t feel so good. It’s taught me that my ability to compete was a privilege and something I can carry forever, but should not dwell on – my brain needs space for today. It’s taught me that I can adapt to challenging circumstances and choose how I respond to them. Ultimately, I have learned that I am more than a body – I am a woman that loves to move through the world of sport; but it’s ok that I also love to sit on a couch all day and binge watch Netflix – and both sides of me are worthy of love, food, and respect.
“My message to women in sport is this: be grateful for your body, but take steps to not let it become your obsession. Enjoy competition, but know and believe that winning or losing does not determine your worth or your value. Let sport be your platform or career, but don’t let you purpose stop there or let it define who you are and what you were made to do. There’s freedom in letting it be a PART of your life instead of your whole life.”
Body image and disordered eating habits are ok to talk about.
The belief that once our bodies are a certain shape or size, we will experience better self-confidence, perform better, and be healthier, is a harmful narrative that can be intimidating to face head on. This is challenging, because so often, well-intentioned individuals are at the forefront of this message. It may be a parent, coach, friend, teammate, significant other, sibling, doctor, dietitian, therapist, teacher that has your best interest in mind when they encourage you to change your body in one way or another to ______(fill in the blank). Breakfast dates with friends, the college locker room, and late night conversations -on what was our humble apartment floor with girls I love dearly, are just a few places that I’ve not only witnessed the heart pains of poor body image and destructive habits, but these are also places that I have seen the power of vulnerability, acceptance, and hard but loving conversations. There’s something freeing about knowing that we are not alone in our struggles.
Intuitive Eating is a freeing framework.
Full disclosure, without a way to approach nutrition that encompasses flexibility, practicality, acceptance, evidence-based research, and tools to listen to one’s body signals instead of the noise from the world – I could not be a dietitian. Phew. That felt long-winded and that wasn’t even everything I wanted to say in one sentence! Intuitive eating is a weight-neutral model and it’s a personal process that encourages you to honor your health by listening to your body. It’s tuning into the inner wisdom, you were born with, to meet your physical AND psychological needs. It’s not a diet or a food plan that provides you with a list of what to eat and what not to eat. The goal of intuitive eating is not to change your body – but to learn how to accept and nourish your body with intention ad flexibility. There is not one long-term study that shows that weight loss dieting is sustainable or helpful for long-term health. On the flip side, studies consistently show that dieting and food restriction for the purpose of weight loss, leads to more weight gain. Not only that, but the preoccupation on weight leads to more body dissatisfaction. Intuitive eating is a life-long practice that that puts you in the drivers seat.
“Believe that you are enough, as you are. You have a body that is worth respecting and honoring. ”
It’s not about me.
There are a handful of bloggers, small business owners, friends, and mentors that have been incredibly helpful to my personal growth and I am here for the one person that may read and be encouraged. Non-diet and empowering messaging around food and bodies are what you, the world, and myself needs more of.
I am here to connect with others, plant seeds of hope, and learn along the way. I encourage you to reflect on your ‘Why’ and share it when you get the chance.
Warmly,
Jenna