Thursday, November 10, 2011

Wellness Month: Meet the Experts- A Fitness Professional

A fitness professional is a person who has training in the field of fitness and exercise, most often in instruction (fitness instructor) and may learn to teach classes such as aerobics, yoga, Pilates and/or other exercise modalities as well as personal training. 
An exercise modality is a system or form of exercise that is designed to elicit a very specific response from the body of the individual who is engaging in the exercise. In the case of aerobics, most people are trying to get their body to shed excess bodyfat and to increase their level of cardiovascular endurance. Weight or resistance training exercisers are usually trying to grow or tone their muscles to make them stronger, bigger, or more attractive. People who practice Yoga are usually after a stronger mind/body connection in order to gain more energy or awareness.
A fitness professional may have a college degree in exercise science, human kinetics, sports medicine or other related fields and/or hold a certificate from a nationally recognized certifying agency that requires demonstration of teaching skills showing proper technique, cueing and musicality as well as a written test covering such topics as fitness theory and practice and the various systems of the body involved in physical exertion. Fitness professionals should have CPR/AED/First Aid certification as well. 
The role of a qualified fitness professional is to adhere to an industry standard code of ethics. One widely accepted industry code of ethics has been put forth by the IDEA health and fitness association, the world's largest fitness association for fitness and wellness professionals. It states that:
As a member of IDEA Health and Fitness Association, I will be guided by the best interests of the client and will practice within the scope of my education and knowledge. I will maintain the education and experience necessary to appropriately train clients or teach classes; will behave in a positive and constructive manner; and will use truth, fairness and integrity to guide all my professional decisions and relationships.  
Further information on the code of ethics for trainers and group exercise instructors can be found at:
IDEA Code Of Ethics For Personal Trainers
IDEA Code Of Ethics: Group Fitness Instructors
With scientific research clearly showing that exercise and good health are closely linked, the work of fitness professionals is becoming increasingly diversified as they respond to the various health and fitness needs of their clients. And with rates of obesity and sedentary living rising at alarming rates, fitness practitioners are also increasing their efforts to target and motivate the vast majority of the population who do little or nothing when it comes to exercise. [Source: IDEA] 
For more on the role of a fitness professional try these links:
LiveStrong- Role of a Fitness Instructor
SportsNHealth- Role of Fitness Instructor


So far we have heard from various women who work in the fitness and wellness field- a massage therapist, a nutritionist, a yogi, a breathwork therapist and a hypnotherapist. Now let's meet a fitness professional. Please let me introduce myself, Shannon Stoughton, the Joy of Fitness Mom of one and lover of exercise, because it just make you feel darn good! I'd love to  tell you a little bit about what I do and how my role as a fitness professional helps round out the nurturing your whole self for optimal well being series. Thanks!
Shannon Stoughton, Washington, DC metro area based
AFAA certified fitness professional and owner of Joy of Fitness


How and why did you become a fitness professional? In other words, what is your story?
I became a fitness professional roughly a year after the birth of my daughter. I had never gained so much weight in my whole life as I did when pregnant. Let me tell ya, I had a hankering for bread products for which I whole-heartily indulged, much to my doctor's chagrin and to my waistline's ballooning (despite the little bundle of joy growing within). I loved being pregnant. However, I didn't love the results of my let loose dieting during pregnancy- a muffin top that five years later I am still working on getting rid of. After giving birth to my sweet baby girl and subsequently finding out about all these medical issues I had such as: borderline high cholesterol, genetic blood clotting disorder, increased chance of heart disease due to the extra fat around my waist and my family history of the disease, feeling of isolation from being a first time mom and staying at home, I knew I needed an outlet- a way to meet other moms. Most of all, I needed to get off my rear-end and better my chances of living a long, healthy, productive life (I am so dramatic!). So, I decided to take a stroller based fitness class. I not only found a renewed interest in exercise, I met amazing women, fellow moms- many whom remain my good friends today. 


When I found out the owner of the fitness program I was attending was looking for instructors, I jumped at the opportunity. I became Baby Boot Camp pre and post natal certified (and later AFAA certified), started teaching and haven't turned back. I love exercise and sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge with others. Through my training and experience, I came to understand that losing the baby fat takes patience and time in order to do it in a sound way that includes regular exercise and healthy eating habits.


You see, I had been an athlete in my teenage years and exercised for sport, but didn't fully appreciate the many physical and psychological benefits of a consistent exercise regimen until after becoming a mom. Motherhood among many things has taught me to embrace chaos, along with my middle-aged mommy figure. I enjoy exercise for how it makes me feel first and foremost (alive, productive, happy) which helps me stick with it. The other stuff: better health, slimming down waistline, firming-up of arms...well that's nice too!


What exactly do you do? I help people get fit, stay fit and enjoy it. My goal is to provide safe, effective workouts that help my clients shape-up, increase energy and mood, and most of all to live a healthier, happier life. I like to a take a fusion approach to fitness, incorporating cardio, strength, core/abs and flexibility as well as focusing on whole body movements. I keep up-to-date with the latest scientific news as it relates to fitness, health, nutrition and incorporate what I learn into routines that are relevant to my clientele. I really try to keep my mind open to new fitness ideas and approaches to help my clients get the most out of the workout.  I listen. I share my knowledge. I blog.  I adjust. I research and find answers if there is something I do not know. I refer to the appropriate people when something is beyond my capabilities. I am my clients best fitness advocate.


How do you fit fitness into your everyday, busy life? 
I always say you gotta start somewhere, sometime. There is no time like the present to start an exercise regimen. The good news is there is something for every body, need and budget, every day of the week, 365 days a year. Try out different things. Start a walking group in your neighborhood, at lunch during working hours, and as you get in better shape, you can ramp it up to a running club with maybe the goal of running a 5K race. Stand more. Yes, that's right. Stand in your office while taking a call. Stand while waiting in the doctor's office. Just stand more! Really, I just read an article about the correlation of sitting to mortality. Here's the facts folks and a good blog article from Harvard Business Review about converting from a sitter to a stander. 
The Many Benefits of Standing at Your Desk
Sitting time and mortality...
You could take a fitness class through your local recreation center, YMCA, health club, or join a gym. Buy a fitness video and set-up some time in the early morning or evening that's your time for exercise. Don't worry about missing your favorite TV show. You can watch it later. Plus, it's not as important as being healthy and feeling great! Or try a boot camp style class. Yoga. Pilates. Work with a trainer to help you get started, motivated and to provide a safe, effective routine. Lot's of fitness professionals nowadays offer group sessions, lowering the cost, upping your fun and adherence. 


The point is there is something out their for you and with a little effort trying various modalities you'll find something that clicks. Most likely you'll like several different things and that's good, because mixing it up between cardio, strength, flexibility workouts is not only recommended for optimal physical fitness to keep you healthy, your workouts remain fresh and challenging which helps keep you motivated. Check out this link for the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for physical activity ACSM EXERCISE AND WEIGHT LOSS GUIDELINE for more information about how much you should be exercising every day. 


Anything you would like to add?  Be active. Be happy!


Thanks for indulging me and hopefully I've convinced you, (if not completely scared you away), that adding exercise to your everyday life can help you improve your health, both physically and psychologically, for optimal well-being. 


Peace and here's to your good health.
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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Wellness Month: Meet The Experts- A Hypnotherapist

Hypnotherapy: The term "hypnosis" comes from the Greek word hypnos, meaning "sleep." Hypnotherapists use exercises that bring about deep relaxation and an altered state of consciousness, also known as a trance. A person in a deeply focused state is unusually responsive to an idea or image, but this does not mean that a hypnotist can control the person's mind and free will. On the contrary, hypnosis can actually teach people how to master their own states of awareness. By doing so they can affect their own bodily functions and psychological responses. [Source: University of Maryland Medical Center ]

Have you ever wondered why the hell you just ate that second bowl of ice cream when you know you shouldn't have or why you chew your nails, bite your lip? Maybe you hate to exercise even after being told by the doctor, "You better or else!" Yet, you just can't seem to get motivated. Me too! However, my bad habits tend to revolve around eating sweets, eating sweets and well have I said this before, eating sweets. Oh, well let's throw in procrastinating too. All to often after eating sweets I not only feel quilty, but experience the emotional roller coaster of sugar highs and lows. Add the procratinating and subsequently stressing out, you get a recipe for disaster- uncomfortable physical manifestations such as tension headaches, sore upper back and neck muscles as well as indigestion and mood swings.

In my journey to become more aware, open and attune to my emotional triggers and responses and finding ways to help me kick my unhealthy habits, I have become fascinated by the prospect of being able to affect one's bodily functions and psychological responses through avenues that have one tap into the subconscious in order to better understand consicous choices, actions, reactions and such. That is why I was so excited when I found out a former client and friend, Katarina Oberg, began a hypnosis service for women called Spirtual Spring, LLC.  I wanted to learn more, so I asked her a few questions about her practice and thought I'd share them as part of the Wellness Month: Meet The Experts series on nurturing your whole self for optimal well-being.
Katarina Oberg, MSW, CH
DC based Hypnotherapist
How and why did you become a hypnotherapist? In other words, what is your story? Why did you start using hypnosis in your practice?  I decided to become a hypnotherapist when I was ready to go back to work after staying home with my daughter for a few years.  My background is as a social worker working with families and I wanted to stay in the helping field.  When I learned about hypnosis, I felt I had found the perfect fit for me to help people overcome difficulties in their lives.  Hypnotherapy provides goal oriented solutions to common problems, such as weight issues and stress.  I feel I have really expanded my toolkit for how to help people reach their goals with my hypnotherapy training in addition to my background in social work. 

What is hypnotherapy, hypnosis? What's the purpose and how does it work? For example, someone comes to you who wants to lose weight, stop smoking...? Please explain.  Hypnosis might sound a bit mysterious, but it is really a natural state of waking consciousness.  When you are hypnotized, you slow down the conscious mind, which is the busy, critical, and logical part of your mind.  Instead, you become more aware of your subconscious mind. This is the part of your mind that remembers everything, generates your emotions, and is very creative.  And most importantly, it also controls habits. 


So while you might be in full agreement with your everyday logical mind about the need to change a habit, this logical approach does not typically address or reach your subconscious beliefs so it is often unsuccessful despite your best intentions.  For example, you might be determined to lose weight, but somehow you continue with your old habits, despite the objections of your logical mind!  


With the help of hypnosis, you gain direct access to your subconscious mind and you and your hypnotherapist can create new and more productive ways of dealing with any problems in your life. In other words, when you come to agreement with all parts of yourself, then true and lasting change comes into your life. 


How could hypnosis fit in to a person's overall fitness and/or wellness? You hear these terms health, fitness and wellness a lot - explain.   Specifically, hypnosis and related techniques can help you give up cravings for specific unhealthy foods or anything else you want to quit doing.  It can also help you release negative feelings about exercise and improve body image.  Hypnosis can also help you let go of stress and set new priorities in your life, freeing you up to do more of what you really want to accomplish.  

Anything else you'd like to tell our readers.
While hypnosis is not magic, it really can be effective for anyone who is looking to change their habits and health for the better.  You will not lose weight or become healthier with hypnosis alone, but with the help of hypnosis, you can let go of anything this is mentally or emotionally holding you back from being healthy and fit.  In my case, I was overweight and really did not like even the thought of exercising or limiting my favorite unhealthy foods.  But with the help of hypnosis to overcome my resistance to change, I have easily lost 40 lbs. in about five months’ time and I now enjoy exercising two to three days a week.

Thanks Katarina for enlightening us to the affects hypnosis may have in helping people overcome unhealthy habits. Next up, we'll learn from a fitness professional about how a consistent exercise regimen can help you be healthier and happier. Guess who that may be...


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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Wellness Month: Meet The Experts- A Breathwork Therapist

Breathwork refers to many forms of conscious alteration of breathing, such as connecting the inhale and exhale, or energetically charging and discharging, when used within psychotherapy or meditation. Proponents believe breathwork technique may be used to attain alternate states of consciousness, and that sustained practice of techniques may result in spiritual or psychological benefits. Breathwork may also relate to optimal healthy breathing in a healing context. [Source: Wikipedia]


It is said that becoming conscious of your breathing, normally an involuntary action, can 
help to release old emotions, pent up feelings and allow happiness, joy, peace and love to fill your daily life- to breathe yourself whole. I have been curious about this idea lately, especially since I have incorporated yoga into my well-being routine. So, I contacted my friend Lauren Chelec Cafritz, a certified Breathwork Therapist who leads breathwork classes and workshops at the Mindfulness Center in Bethesda, MD, to learn more about this old world mindfulness technique for the nurturing your whole self for optimal well-being series. 
Lauren Chelec Cafritz, TBF, IBF
DC based Breathwork therapist
Can you please tell us about what you do. What exactly is breathwork? 
Breathwork is a self-healing tool that, once learned, you can use to deepen your breath—and with it, your life.  Breathwork is the foundation for getting the most out of our exercise routines and mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, or tai chi.  This practice teaches you how to break old breathing patterns and take deep diaphragmatic breaths.  Once your breathing is full and open, you can take this skill with you to your yoga class, the gym, work, meetings, traffic jams—or, whatever comes along in life.

 How and why did you become a breathwork specialist? Stress, anxiety, and worry can inhibit breathing and create unhealthy breathing patterns over time.  When I started breathwork, my breathing was shallow and only in my chest—in what might be called “bare survival mode”.  (I have found most of us breathe this way on a daily basis.)


Physical pain and anxiety brought me to the practice of breathwork.  When my son was 9 months old, I could not turn my neck and, if I managed to, it felt like an intense sciatic pain in my neck.  A friend brought me to his breathworker.  With her, I learned how to open and deepen my breath and explore the issues and tension that had originally constricted it. Through breathing and learning, over time, I watched the pain miraculously disappear.  Once I learned the power of the breath—how it can heal someone on so many different levels—I wanted to learn more.  That was the beginning and I’ve never turned back.

How can breathwork help me (a fitness professional, fitness enthusiast, busy, often stressed mom or a beginner exerciser...)? What are the benefits. Are there contraindications? Breathing deeply helps you release tension on multiple levels—physical, mental, and emotional.  It gives you clarity—because when you breathe well, you think clearer.  If you focus on the breath, as in meditation, it clears the mind.  Paying conscious attention to your breath helps you remember to live in the present moment and brings more joy into your life.


I’ve learned that correcting non-optimal breathing patterns is not always as simple as telling someone to breathe deeply.  Muscle and connective tissue that have been held in patterns of tension for long periods of time actually change shape—some tissue lengthens, others shorten.  Through coaching, a breathworker can help you to reform tissue to support healthier, fuller respiration.


Now, I always tell my students and clients that our sessions are “labs”—I want them to feel their emotions fully and release their tensions in our lab, so that it’s much easier out in the world—in traffic, in an attorney’s office, in a doctor’s office.


Anything else you'd like to add, share with our readers. We all need something to keeps us aligned, balanced, and present.  Self-healing is about using and having the tools to get us back to that open, flowing, and joyful space wherever we find ourselves.

Thanks Lauren for sharing your expertise with us. 
I know I learned a lot! Next-up, we'll hear from a hypnotherapist on how hypnosis can help in weight loss and more.


Be active. 
Be happy. 
Breathe!
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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wellness Month: Meet The Experts - A Yogi

Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli: योग yóga) is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. 
The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. 
Yoga came to the attention of an educated western public in the mid 19th century along with other topics of Hindu philosophy. The first Hindu teacher to actively advocate and disseminate aspects of Yoga to a western audience was Swami Vivekananda, who toured Europe and the United States in the 1890s. In the West, the term "yoga" is typically associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures), or as a form of exercise. Today, there are many different types of Yoga. 

Check out these sites for the different types and descriptions as well as more yoga history. 








There are many health benefits to practicing yoga. The three main focuses of Hatha yoga or any yoga style for that matter (exercise, breathing, and meditation) make it beneficial to those suffering from heart disease. Overall, studies of the effects of yoga on heart disease suggest that yoga may reduce high blood pressure, improve symptoms of heart failure, enhance cardiac rehabilitation, and lower cardiovascular risk factors.
Long-term yoga practitioners in the United States have reported musculoskeletal and mental health improvements, as well reduced symptoms of asthma in asthmatics. Regular yoga practice increases brain GABA levels and is shown to improve mood and anxiety more than other metabolically matched exercises, such as jogging or walking.  
[Source: Wikipedia]

I have recently discovered my inner yogi. She is a new friend- one I had resisted letting into my life for years. We'd met a few times before and didn't like each other. I thought her slow, cruel and unusual. She found me impulsive, fidgety and pertinacious.  Recently though, we have had a meeting of the minds (you could say) and are the best of friends. I mean don't get me wrong, we still don't see eye-to-eye on everything, but I suppose with increased age comes an increased openness and understanding. I have learned to stretch myself (pun intended). My inner yogi and I meet about three times a week. We share a lovely time together, albeit a sweaty, heart thumping, muscle burning experience, but a bonding one nonetheless. By the end of our time together I am energized, relaxed, stronger, receptive and peaceful. I probably would not have found my inner yogi if I wasn't ready to accept her. It also helps to have a great instructor, someone to bridge and help forge the bond. That brings me to our next wellness expert, Amy Beth Dixon, mother of four and my yoga teacher. She was kind enough to answer some questions I had about her practice for the nurturing your whole self for optimal well-being series. 

Amy Beth Dixon,
Certified Yoga Instructor- 250hrs.,
and her crew
How and why did you become a yoga instructor? In other words, what is your story, why did you start teaching yoga?
I became a yoga instructor for three reasons.  Firstly, I had practiced yoga since I was 20 and, although my personal practice began small, it grew and became for me the thing that became the cornerstone of my wellness plan.  Once I really accepted and committed to yoga I noticed immense changes in my life, both physically and mentally/emotionally and spiritually.  My physicality changed, going from a size 8 to a size 4 and as well losing 20 lbs.  It was interesting that during my seemingly fittest time (I taught aerobics in college and was very, very active and fit) that I was somehow holding so much more weight on my frame.  My family suffers from higher cholesterol and I also have hypothyroidism and those two conditions have as well improved since making yoga the focus of my wellness routine.  I am accutely more aware of what I put into my body and I make it a goal from myself to take nothing for granted and truly believe that every breath I take needs to be mindful and taken with gratitude.  So, my love for yoga was my first reason for wanting to teach it.  As well, I like to teach.  I have taught fitness classes since I was in college and I always really enjoyed lesson planning and driving a group toward a goal.  I have danced a lot in my life, so, yoga to me was just a really beautiful artform to teach to others.  Lastly, I have four children, and I was looking for something that could potentially give me an at home business so I would not have to return to the stresses and mania that was, for me, office work.

What is yoga? What type of yoga do you practice and how is it the same/different from other practices.  Please explain.
Yoga is defined as union.  It is this lovely balance of the physical, emotional/mental and universal pressence.  For many this last piece of yoga is a part of one's spirituality.  It is something that helps us stay very present minded and focused on our existence here on this earth.  The type of yoga I practice is called vinyasa or "flow" yoga.  Vinyasa refers to the linkage that one makes with their breath and their movement.  Vinyasa yoga is very akin to Ashtanga yoga but the postures are not performed in the same sequentially as in an Astanga practice.  Vinyasa is a very warm practice that is meant to help a person build heat and break through tensions (emotional and physical), the focus on breath helps us to stay very present minded and to deepen into our awareness of ourselves and our place within the universe around us. 

How does Yoga fit in to a person's overall fitness and/or wellness? You hear these terms health, fitness and wellness a lot - explain how yoga fits in.
There are many different forms of yoga that one can choose from.  If someone is a strong athlete and needs a way to open their bodies from tightness, one might use yoga to lenghthen the muscles that are over-worked.  Someone might simply enjoy the flowing, dance-like nature of a yoga class (vinyasa yoga specifically) and might want yoga to be the sole form of wellness for them.  Yoga should be something that is "practiced" daily.  It is a very unique form of physical wellness that becomes more beneficial to a person if done routinely.  Many yoga practioners recommend one practices at the same time each day in order to establish an ease of fitting yoga into one's daily life.  I recently heard a teacher say that yoga should not be on your to do list, that it is a part of your life.  I whole-heartedly agree with this.  Thinking that yoga is something you have to do, is not going to get you into a deeper, joyful connection with it.

Who does yoga benefit? Explain.
Everyone.  I have students in their early twenties and students in their early 70's coming to my class.  Yoga is one of those physical artforms that is appropriate for everyone.  Modifications can be made for nearly every movement so that the student is always safe and getting what they need from their yoga time.  I hope to practice my yoga as blissfully as I do now, at 39 years old, when I am 85 years old. 

Anything else you'd like to tell our readers?
I love this statement by Shiva Rea. 
Balancing in yoga and life is a reflection of our inner state.  Can we dance with change?  Can we fall and try again with playfullness and verve?  Do we have the focus, skill and attunement to find the still point within it all?  Touching the earth, we remember where we come from.  Yoga connects our body to the earth body, our roots to the soil, our breath to the prana of life.  ~Shiva Rea
Looking for some more yoga resources, check these out:


Thanks Amy for sharing your expertise with us. Next up, we'll learn from an expert on breathwork in our pursuit of nurturing the whole self for optimal well-being.   Shanti.
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Friday, October 14, 2011

Wellness Month: Meet The Experts- A Nutritionist

Nutrition (also called nourishment or aliment) is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary (in the form of food) to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet. [Source: Wikipedia]


Awe...nutrition, a healthy diet- my nemesis. If you are anything like me, you have an insatiable sweet tooth. It's beyond habit.  Sugar craving, dessert eating is a part of your make-up. At least that is your excuse and your sticking to it! Shoot, if you could only save yourself from yourself, who knows how many mood swings, sugar rushes and crashes you'd avoid in a day.  In comes my friend Peri Donner a certified nutritionist to set us straight! She was kind enough to answer some questions I had about nutrition for the Joy of Fitness Mom nurturing the whole self for optimal well-being, especially how a nutritionist can help people like me and others better our lives- our overall well-being through healthy eating.

Exactly what is a nutritionist? Is there a difference between a dietician and nutritionist?

Great question - The biggest difference is in the perspective and schooling. As a nutrition and wellness coach, I take a broader approach and look at more than just the nutrition aspect of life. I focus on the entire package; mind, body and soul. Dieticians are more focused on the bio-chemistry of food and how they work with the body. The role of the dietitian is to oversee nutritional guidelines for patients, using their nutritional expertise to help people overcome illness and maintain overall health.

I have spent many years learning and gaining knowledge of the body, mind and soul. It is a total package!

Each person is different which means “bio individuality” is imperative to wellness.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, the why and how you became a nutritionist?

My interest in health goes far beyond food; I have been seasoned as a personal trainer, spin instructor, fitness instructor and life coach.  Combing my skills as a motivator and educator, I hope to help others reach their wellness goals!

Peri Donner
 Integrative Nutrition
Health & Wellness Coach
My passion for health, nutrition, fitness and the promotion of well- being in my community led me to receive training as a Certified Holistic Health Coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, the largest nutrition school internationally. Drawing on this knowledge, I help create a completely personalized “roadmap to health” that suits your unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and goals.

I am certified by the American Board of Drugless Practitioners as a Holistic health and nutrition coach.

What's your take on dieting, fad diets, trying to maintain a healthy diet in general?
I don’t believe in “diets”, I believe in a wellness focused lifestyle. These “Fad diets” set us up for failure and can really mess with our systems. It is best to consult with a nutritionist and wellness coach when embarking on a journey to better your health.

How can we eat healthier on a budget?
Doing anything on a budget is a great opportunity! I think it opens the door to try new things. If we can change the “challenge” to an exciting opportunity, we are more likely to succeed.

I offer grocery store tours as a way to help people trim the fat off their budgets and from the walls of their arteries! My cooking classes show you how to make more with less! One really great way is to sit down and plan your meals for the week or month – that way you know what to look for in the store and can really save money on unnecessary purchases.
Many people buy junk food because they think it is cheaper when in fact it is not. Junk food is not cheaper or healthier –when you add up the health costs you will incur in life to treat allergies, obesity, diabetes, heart disease – you name it – the “junk” that our society puts in our bodies causes the bad stuff in our bodies. Eating healthy saves you money and helps you to thrive in the present and future.

Ask yourself this, Can you put a price on your health?

Any tips and tricks of the trade that people can start incorporating into their diets now?
  1. Eat real food... If it is processed, try to stay away from it.
  2. The author Michael Pollan says it best “eat food, not much, mostly plants”. However, we have to remember we are all different and need different nutrition.
  3. If it comes from the ground or a tree it is typically good (veggies, fruits)!
  4. The more you bring healthy food into your life, the more you will want to crowd the bad out.
  5. If it has more than 5 ingredients that you don’t know what they are – don’t eat it.
How would a nutritionist benefit me?
I’m glad you asked! As I said before, we are all different – food, exercise and lifestyles that work for one person might be poison for another. Literally, your food can be poisoning you. I give people the opportunity to learn what is best for their body, mind and souls!

Nutrition and wellness coaches are trained to help you figure out what is best for YOU. It is all about personalization.

Any ideas on how to introduce healthy eating to the family? Kids?
There are always healthy alternatives. 
I have many great ideas to get kids and family on the healthy band wagon. Again, it depends on what your kids and family like to eat. This is a very “family- centric” question to answer here, sitting down with the family is best. One really great way to get good food into dishes is the food processor. I put all types of veggies in it until they are almost a puree and then I throw them into a sauce. Mix them into the hamburger you are making ( or ground turkey burger). There are lots of ways to get veggies and fruit into the kiddos!

I offer grocery store visits, cooking classes and post recipes on my blog. In my cooking classes, I focus on ways to make tasty, healthy treats which kids and adults will enjoy while still getting nutrition!

How do you deal with different body types, personality types, environmental factors... I mean it seems a lot a factors affect how and what we eat. For example, I am a tall, skinnish person, who thought she was in good shape to find out I had high cholesterol. How do you break down the barriers, people's misconceptions and break through? 
There are many factors that contribute to health and wellness. It isn’t about a fad diet, eliminating carbs or running 15 miles a week. Just because you are “tall and thin” does not mean that your diet and wellness plan will be the same as the next tall and thin person! People come in all shapes and sizes – we all have different stressors, triggers and demeanors. This again, is why individual plans are so important.
It is my job to listen, observe, and help problem solve. I can help create a wellness plan that will work, but it is up to the individual to put that plan to action and each step is important! We can’t bite off more than we can chew! Taking small steps will foster long lasting results.

Anything you'd like to add?
Wellness plans are forever, diets and fads – set us up for failure, generally because they are unrealistic and not sustainable (or healthy). Let’s find a plan for you, that helps you succeed!

This journey is not about being as skinny as we can be. It is about being our best selves and loving every moment of life. I offer a path to an invigorating, healthy and peaceful life! Check out my website www.peridonner.com and sign up for a free health consultation today! 

Check out these  
nutrition 
informational 
resources:

Choose My Plate

Know What You Eat

Nutrition.gov- Smart Nutrition Starts Here


Thanks Peri for sharing your expertise with us! Up next for Wellness Month: Meet the Experts we will hear from a mom of four and exceptional yoga instructor. 


Love this qoute (Thanks Peri!):
"Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny"  -Gandhi
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