My adventure in the field of nutrition and wellness has expanded over 25 years and has seen dramatic changes. Starting with my formal education at Virginia Tech, I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and my Master of Science degree in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Adult Fitness. My passion for overall wellness has allowed me work in multiple disciplines from corrective exercise, sports performance and sports nutrition, weight loss, and nutritional counseling across all ages from children through elderly. I have taught college level nutrition and health classes. My certifications have included NASM’s Corrective Exercise Specialist, NAMS’s Performance Enhancement Specialist, ACE Aerobics Instructor, American Red Cross First Aid and CPR for Infants, Children and Adults. I am a Life Coach and study Holistic Nutrition and Wellness continuously. However, it has been my personal experiences working with individuals searching for a method to improve and sustain healthy body weights, plan efficient, cost effective meals, and find activities that are fun and engaging that has taught me the most.
Over the past several years, I have become extremely disillusioned with mainstream diet recommendations and strict weight loss programs. Most of the advice clients have received prior to consulting with me had been either too restrictive, expensive, ineffective, lacked creativity or didn’t have the personal goals and values of the individual in mind. Having tried many of these online programs, books with meal plans, fad diets, detox programs and media advice; I can see why so many people feel deprived, lost, frustrated or without hope. These programs all dictate dietary menus, excessive exercise, and other restrictions that don’t teach individuals how to survive on their own.
Overall holistic wellness includes more than just nutrition. It includes activity levels, stress management, proper sleeping habits and spirituality/meditation. Learning how to overcome obstacles in weekly meal planning, rain when you want to walk outside, sick children that interrupt your sleep, and a boss that keeps you worked to the bone is more important than following someone else’s exact meal plan and exercise routine. Finding adventure in choosing meals that are enjoyable to cook, fun activities you are excited to engage in, meditating to relax/open your mind and organizing your home to simplify your life are many of the different spokes on the wheel that must work together to live a life of happiness and health.
Holistic wellness takes time. My philosophy won’t allow you to lose 15 pounds in two weeks for your next beach trip. But I assure you, your energy levels, mindfulness, eating habits and joy will increase substantially on each step of our adventure.
So put on your Big Boots and start your adventure today~
Tina
“When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an adventure is going to happen.” Winnie the Pooh