How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a certified Holistic Health Counselor?

I used to have an “over the top” life. Not in a high-powered-money-is-everything-kind of way, but rather, I was too busy and too overwhelmed far too much of the time. I was an A-1 worrier, often about things beyond my control. I thrived on working too many hours, volunteering for numerous organizations, and taking up one hobby after another. I liked doing things and being “busy” all the time, but frankly, it didn’t serve me. Simply put, I had “over-commitment” issues and my life suffered as a result.

For years I had chronic eczema and acne. I spent countless dollars and hours with dermatologists and allergists, getting acupuncture and ultraviolet light treatments just to name a few. While it relieved the symptoms for a time, it never really solved the underlying problem. And time after time, I’d repeat my frustrating routine of doctors’ visits and a new regimen to try, usually involving the latest drugs on the market. I was at the end of my rope and pretty much convinced that I was destined to a life of troubled, blemished skin, a racing, anxiety-ridden mind and an inability to truly relax and enjoy my life.

In the late 90’s, I was referred to a holistic nutritionist by a friend of mine. I started working with her regularly, experimenting with my diet and eliminating certain foods. I started to notice a slight change in my skin, but the overall reality, remained the same – not huge improvement. The nutritionist, however, understanding that full wellness includes more than just eating well, challenged me to look at the rest of my life more carefully. She got me more in touch with my body and exercise to help me relax like tai chi and yoga. Overtime, and with a fair amount of effort, my skin improved substantially. In addition, I noticed that when I could calm my mind, I had less anxiety and worry which translated into being more present with the people I most care about and feeling a renewed sense of vitality and joy.

Since then, my skin has improved so much that I rarely need to resort to traditional medicine to solve the problem. And when I do have occasional flare ups, it’s usually a sign for me to take a step back, slow down and relax, and tune into simple ways to heal my body naturally.

Having achieved great results as well as acquiring lots of helpful information and tips about nutrition and health over the years, it became an interest of mine. I liked informally helping people think about healthy options and alternatives.  And I enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen by preparing healthy and delicious meals that were often wheat and/or dairy-free.

Along the way, I came to realize that my corporate career wasn’t satisfying anymore. Although I liked what I did and the people with whom I worked, something was missing. Simply put, I didn’t LOVE my job and I wanted to have that feeling. I realized that I wanted a career that was more fulfilling and one in which I could make a substantial difference in the quality of people’s lives. Through a series of coincidences, I was put in contact with someone who studied nutrition at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and had become a Holistic Health Counselor. I looked into the program and immediately knew that it was right for me.

I graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2006 as a certified Holistic Health Counselor, having studied with people such as Deepak Chopra, Barry Sears and Andrew Weill, among others.  I started working with clients and right away, loved the chance to support people in creating a healthier lifestyle.  I have since made a commitment to dedicate the rest of my professional life to helping others who are struggling with “over commitment” issues, too much stress and worry and poor eating habits who feel “stuck.”  As a certified health counselor and coach, I’m thrilled to support my clients in learning how to put themselves first on the list, instead of last! By learning healthy eating and living techniques my clients learn how to “tune in” to greater satisfaction, better health, less anxiety and lots of joy. I’ve learned that if I can make significant changes dramatically improve the quality of my life, you can too!

What is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor?

As a Holistic Health Counselor, I provide health and lifestyle coaching to help you achieve optimal health and wellness. My focus in on helping busy people create more energy, balance and satisfaction in their life by integrating simple, doable strategies to maximize health. With a focus primarily on women who struggle with “over-commitment” issue, too much stress and worry and less than desirable eating habits, I work with my clients to craft a realistic plan to meet your goals, feel good about your body and your whole life.

The focus is on all aspects of your health, just not your diet, that’s why it’s holistic in nature. By examining other aspects of your life – career, relationships, exercise, stress, and spirituality, we have the chance to create a holistic approach to overall wellness that can substantially improve how you feel about yourself and your life.

How are you different than a licensed nutritionist or dietitian?

A licensed nutritionist or dietitian specializes in helping people assess nutritional gaps, create goals and plans to address them and offer nutritional counseling and support. My work doesn’t replace the advice of your physician or registered nutritionist.  My programs do include nutritional counseling and awareness of food, but also address other health and wellness issues such as stress, exercise, career and relationships.

Healthy Endeavors, LLC encourages you to continue to visit and receive treatment from your healthcare professionals, including, without limitation, your physician. Healthy Endeavors, LLC does not act in the capacity of a doctor, licensed dietician-nutritionist, massage therapist, psychologist or other licensed or registered professional. In addition, Healthy Endeavors, LLC does not provide health care, medical or nutrition therapy services and will not diagnose, treat or cure in any manner whatsoever, any disease, condition or other physical or mental ailment of the human body.

Who are your clients?

My clients are mostly women, although I love working with men as well.  Many people come to me who have an unbalanced and less-than-healthy lifestyle that want to learn simple strategies to practice healthy eating and living.  Many people find that they’re in a rut and at a loss for how to make small but consistent lifestyle changes that will stick over time, not just a temporary fix. My clients feel as though they need someone to help hold them accountable and get them into action by having regular sessions over a period of time.

What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?

I work best with people who are ready and motivated to make a change and who don’t need step-by-step instructions and daily plans. This program works best for people who are inquisitive and curious about their health and how they can improve it. People who are self-reflective and interested in slowing down and getting more in tune with their body do really well working with me.  In addition, people who are open and willing to experiment to figure out the best approach to a healthier life also tend to flourish.

As a client, you’re expected to have an open mind and bring your enthusiasm and good ideas. The process is a lot of fun if you’re willing to give it a try and see new possibilities for your life and health.

What type of person is this program NOT going to work for?

This program isn’t designed for people that need to be told what to do or eat. It’s also not for people who have limited motivation and are not inspired to change their current lifestyle and habits. I find my clients get the best results when they are motivated to make a change and excited to see results, even if they’re not sure how to get there (that’s where I come in).

What exactly is the Don’t Worry Get Healthy System and what does it include?

The Don’t Worry, Get Healthy System is a 10-step process to help you achieve better health, more energy and lasting results. It’s not about a quick fix that may be short-term in nature. This is all about discovering what’s right for you.

Check out the details below:

1.  Set realistic goals

You’ll learn ways to set simple, achievable and realistic goals that you actually can meet! No more pie-in-the-sky, I’m-going-to-lose-40-pounds-in -2-months kind of goals. With gentle coaching and reinforcement, you’ll learn what makes sense for you and how to reward yourself and celebrate the victories.

2.    Make worry-free health a priority

Most of us have good intentions about being healthy. We really do want to have more energy, lose a few pounds or eat better. But wanting to do it and actually doing it are two very different things. When you work with me, you’ll learn very specific ways to make being healthy a top priority.  Clear the decks, make some time, and get ready to make room for optimal health!

3.    Slow down and tune into your body

Most of us go a mile a minute - multi-tasking, juggling multiple priorities, rushing to drop our kids off at band or soccer practice. You know how it is, one thing after another. Our brains are overactive, continually modifying our mental to-do lists. Our bodies are in overdrive – over stimulated and over tired. We desperately need to slow down and tune into our bodies. You’ll learn simple yet powerful techniques to get quiet, listen to your body and calm the chaos that’s a routine part of your life.

4.    Integrate healthy whole foods

Our bodies are crying for the simplicity of whole, unprocessed foods. With a lifestyle on the go, it’s easy to resort to quick, packaged foods. That’s totally understandable. But did you know that there are amazingly simple ways to eat more fresh and wholesome foods? You’ll learn about the bounty of whole, healthy foods that are available to you, many of which may not be familiar to you.

5. Create a way to eat that’s right for you

It’s not enough to just know about what foods are the healthiest. It’s also about uncovering what foods give you the most lasting energy and make you feel good. We’ll determine the best combination of foods, combined with your taste preferences and lifestyle, to create a way to eat that’s simple, appetizing,  and interesting.

6. Learn simple solutions to make healthy eating a habit

Once you establish a rhythm with the best foods for you, it’s important to establish the means by which you’ll sustain your healthy eating. You’ll learn a simple, repeatable system to help you plan, shop for and prepare healthy meals that includes simple-to-use forms and tools.  It’s food made easier.

7. Master the “art” of eating

Eating is about more than just a means to an end. Yes, we all need nourishment to fuel our busy days, but to what degree are you actually present when you eat your food? Do you notice how your food tastes or the sensations you experience when you chew?  Are you aware of when you’re full? We’ll explore what happens when you slow down, limit distractions and are truly present to the experience of eating.

8. Practice inspiring self-care

Part of a healthy lifestyle is learning how to nourish yourself beyond just great food. This is about what you need to thrive, not just survive. We’ll work together to uncover what kind of self-care techniques would really inspire you to feel great about yourself and the steps to achieve them.

9. Choose exercise that motivates you

We all know that exercise is an integral part of being healthy. It’s easy to get in a rut about exercise, or never even get started with a program despite your best intentions. And the truth is, we each have different body types and needs for exercise. Think you know what’s right for you?  Learn what works best for you and can help you achieve your goals in a ways that’s doable and realistic.

10. Get “jazzed” in all aspects of your life

With a holistic emphasis, this is about more than just eating. This is about creating a satisfying, extraordinary life. What would it take for your to feel excited and inspired about all aspects of your life? We’ll tune into how to create more overall satisfaction, adventure and fun.

Does this really work?

My clients sure think so! Working with numerous people who have had lots of different goals, many clients have gotten fantastic results. Read the Client Testimonials to read more about their successes.

What results can I expect?

You can expect to achieve a variety of results, which can include:

•    Healthier eating habits
•    More energy and vitality
•    Less worry and anxiety
•    More satisfaction with your life and a more positive perspective
•    A quieter, calmer mind allowing you to focus on your most important priorities
•    Increased knowledge about various foods and how to prepare them
•    Learning simple strategies to plan and create healthy meals for you and your family
•    Making healthier food choices when eating out
•    Achievement of health and wellness goals
•    Healthy lifestyle changes that stick

How quickly can I expect results?
The more motivation and intention you have to make a healthy change, the quicker you’ll see results. I find it usually takes 2-3 months for clients to start seeing significant changes in their lifestyle. Remember, this isn’t a quick fix, but rather an approach to making lasting changes that you can and want to maintain over time. And over the course of six months, it’s possible to make significant changes to the way you eat and live which you can consistently achieve.

Can I contact some of your former clients to see what it’s like to work with you?

Absolutely, it would be my pleasure to put you in touch with my clients. They can tell you firsthand about the benefits and results they received from working with me.

How will we work together and what does the program entail?

Life is about making choices and our work together is no different. I work with clients over the course of six months. This ensures there’s sufficient time to make lasting changes, by making small but consistent modifications.

Because we all have different needs, I’ve created three different programs to meet varying support and budgetary needs. Read on and see which program best suits your needs.

1. Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Ultimate Coaching Program

This program is designed for people that are ready and motivated to get healthy and need significant accountability and coaching to help them get there and maintain their results.

•    Two 50-minute sessions per month

You will receive one-on-one, personalized coaching using the Don’t Worry, Get Healthy system as a framework. We will discuss your progress, address challenges and create a simple plan of action based on each session. This is your chance to explore new ideas and options, get inspired and take some time for yourself. This is about meeting you where you are and customizing the program in a way that works for you. The emphasis is on making small but sustainable changes over the course of six months to have you feeling balanced, energetic and positive about your health.

•    Weekly 15-minute accountability check-in calls

The Ultimate program includes a 15-minute coaching call each week to provide reinforcement, coaching or encouragement. You can use the time as you like whether to ask questions, prep for the following week’s healthy eating plan or get the motivation you need to stay on track. This is the only program that offers this valuable feature.

•    Unlimited email access for in-the-moment coaching

We can all get stuck sometimes or temporarily fall off the wagon. You can prevent that scenario via unlimited email access to me between sessions. Ask question or get information and support, all designed to help you reach your goals in a supportive environment. This is the only program that offers this valuable feature.

•    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Starter Kit

Sometimes it’s amazing what we don’t know, we don’t know. One of the challenges of eating healthfully is that you may not be familiar with certain foods and products or where to buy them. I make that easy for you. Clients in the Ultimate program receive the Starter Kit and instantly have access to healthy snacks, whole grains, and other foods that you won’t have to hunt down yourself. You’ll immediately be able to start enjoying the healthiest of foods and receive a list for where to find them in the future. This is the only program that offers this valuable feature.

•    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Planning Pack

Say goodbye to poorly planned meals, lack of essential items on hand and leftover and unused food that spoils. This helpful set of tools will put you on the fast track for healthy meal planning, shopping and weekly organization of your refrigerator. The pack includes:

o    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Weekly Planner
o    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Shopping List
o    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Refrigerator Inventory List
o    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Food-Mood Tracker
o    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Options Worksheet

Through the course of our sessions, you’ll learn how to best utilize the tools and begin to implement a simple, repeatable system. It’s food made easier!

•    Healthy Shopping DVD

This is an indispensable tool to help you navigate the grocery store with confidence, and buy the healthiest, freshest foods to energize you and your family. This guided tour highlights key areas in the grocery store and provides tips on how to choose fresh fruits and vegetables, and many other items.

•    Healthy Cooking DVD

Imagine if you could learn simple short cuts and helpful tips to make preparing a meal for you and your family easier, quicker and a lot more fun. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you watch this healthy cooking DVD full of information you can start using right away.

Educational Materials

You’ll receive a selection of cookbooks, recipes, food samples, self-care strategies and other tools to support you in a healthier lifestyle that’s tailored just for you.

This is the only program that offers:
•    Weekly 15-minute accountability check-in calls
•    Unlimited email access for in-the-moment coaching
•    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Starter Kit

2. Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Fast Track Program

This program is designed for people that can use ongoing guidance, simple systems and regular sessions to keep them on track in making progress toward health goals but don’t need as much support on a weekly basis.

This program includes:
•    Two fifty-minute sessions per month
•    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Planning Pack
•    Healthy Shopping DVD
•    Food samples and simple tools to keep you healthy
•    Educational materials

3. Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Basic Program

This program is designed for people that need minimal support but would find a coach helpful in achieving their health goals.

This program includes:
•    Two 30 minutes sessions per month, by phone
•    Don’t Worry, Get Healthy Planning Pack
•    Food samples, recipes and simple tools to keep you healthy

How long is the program?

The program lasts for six months. I’ve found that shorter programs yield fewer results. Why? Because clients often haven’t had the chance to create simple systems that are repeatable and that they’re able to adapt to during this time frame. Six months gives clients sufficient time to create and implement an achievable plan that works. While it may seem like a long time, it’s amazing how fast six months goes by.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, I accept credit cards. In fact, it’s the preferred method of payment and is a simple process for all parties.

OK, I know which program I want. How do we get started?

Simply give me a call and we can schedule a get acquainted session to talk further about your health goals. Simply call me at 203.641.0653 to talk further.

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