I can’t remember a time I wasn’t envious of someone else’s body….

Their flat belly, their petite nose, the way their hairline accentuated their face in just the right way.

This started when I was thirteen.

 

I noticed how some of my soccer friends looked tall, feminine, and trim in their soccer uniform. I felt like I looked like a squat little box. They would roll up their sleeves on hot days while I slowly became too embarrassed to because I didn’t have defined (but not muscl-y) arms. 

I suddenly found this voice in my head that was always nagging at me that I just wasn’t as good as them.

This constant comparison led me down a path of dieting that would last well into my late 20’s.

As I became an adult, the comparison of my body to theirs was still alive and well, but it slowly started to morph.

Not only was I envious of other women’s physiques, I started to envy the way their bodies worked…

• I would hear them talking about being on their period as an annoyance, but that they just needed to scramble to find a tampon. They could still go to the pool party.
• Or that they could eat seemingly anything and not feel tired or bloated after.
• Or their skin always seemed blemish free, no matter what time of the month it was.
• Or that they got pregnant after one try (or they weren’t even trying!).

 

I wasn’t experiencing any of that.

 

• My periods were so brutal that they left me on house arrest for a few days, never mind being caught dead in a bathing suit.
• Being bloated and constipated was so frequent I often wanted to skip my lunch period as a teacher because I didn’t want my pants to be super tight for the second half of the day.
• After I got off of birth control, my skin erupted and there wasn’t a time for at least two years that I didn’t have a breakout.
• And pregnancy… that one is still a tough spot.

 

As my 20’s were coming to an end, I received a book from my grandmother in law that was about the healing effects of food. I had tried literally every diet on the planet, from Slim Fast to Weight Watchers to Adkins, and everything made things better for a week and then much, much worse when I got off of it.

I figured I would try a different route.

I had no idea this would lead me down a healing path that would not only change my body, but also heal my heart, take an about face with my career, and lead me to a place of much more love and kindness toward myself.

I slowly started to teach myself how to cook real food, then how to meal prep (necessary if you want to eat real food as a teacher), and eventually to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. There I would become a certified health coach with an advanced cert in gut health (I was sooo over being bloated) where I could truly feel my body heal.

I started to put into practice the tools they shared in my program. Some worked great, others flopped, but they all led me on my path to healing.

Slowly, and with intentional, long term changes, my body started to heal. 

• My acne cleared up,
• My bloating ended and digestion became so much easier,
• And down the road, as I’ve continued to learn and grow and heal, my periods and hormones shifted.

 

The biggest takeaway though, maybe, has been the way I view my body and how I talk to myself. I’m so much kinder to it. I see all of the incredible things it can do, even after bring put through the ringer by yours truly.  

Having that newfound love for my body (imperfections and all) is something I know I will reap many benefits from. Our bodies believe what we think about them, and they will follow suit. I want mine to hear how strong, healthy, and vibrant I know she is.

People think that because I’m in health and wellness that I must have a perfect diet. 

I don’t. 

They think that I must be stress free and meditate for an hour a day. 

Nope.

They assume I cook elaborate meals and spend tons of money on superfoods and supplements. 

Not even close.

Instead, I’ve developed a realistic routine and healthy habits that are integral to my well being. They give me and my clients the biggest results while keeping things realistic.

I haven’t taken any short cuts. I don’t back random shakes, extreme programs, or try to slang supplements that may or may not be right for you. That’s not my style.

I tried that route for nearly 15 years and I know it doesn’t work.

I worked on my health with science backed strategies for five years and have seen my body heal because of them.

 

I’m passionate about sharing this information with the masses because it makes me a bit bitter that I had to do so much work on my own to heal.

I truly believe this information should be shared with anyone going through a health issue. Or before that. It should be shared with our kids, in schools, and with our families. It should be broadcasted to everyone, but especially those that are having any kind of health issues.

I was working with a client that had a surgery because of a chronic health condition not long ago and he’s lost weight, which at his age is a worry. His doctor suggested that he drink Ensure every day to bulk up. Ensure… which has 15 grams of processed sugar per serving, multiple toxic seed oil, and 44 ingredients (most of which are unrecognizable).

Grrr… that’s not good enough.

I’ve also had a client that has seen doctor after doctor over the last 20 years to heal her bloating and constipation. After 2 months of working together, her digestion is the healthiest it’s ever been.

They deserve better. Our kids do. We all do.

It is why I work with people to heal slowly, intentionally, and realistically.

It takes some work, but now that I’ve got it figured out and have helped hundreds of others as well, I know that my program and lifestyle is effective.

 

I’m not completely free of health issues, and I do still find myself comparing myself to others, but I’m in a much healthier space.

And deeply want that for you.

 

If you feel like you could use some support with your health, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ve love to support you.

 

Email me here- https://northwesthealthcoaching.com/contact

 

XO,

Kelsey