Introducing Real Living Health!

Thanks for visiting my page and seeing what I've been up to lately!  As I introduce my new health and lifestyle coaching business, I want to give you a bit more background about how this business came about for me.  There are several things I'm really passionate about in life, one being my family of course, but also great tasting, healthy food and feeling fabulous.  Part of feeling fabulous is learning to slow down and take better care of ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.  For many years I didn't do that.  I was a frequent visitor to the drive-through, did a lot of emotional eating, never exercised, and said yes to everything that was asked of me and was driven by what I thought others expected of me and didn't want to disappoint those around me.  Because of this way of thinking, food became my drug of choice to help me avoid the thoughts and realities that were causing me to feel so poorly.  This also led to digestive issues, skin issues, and joint pain.  After years of yo-yo dieting, and a visit to my doctor for a physical, I found out my cholesterol was high. 

I began looking into what we ate and decided to eat only whole, clean foods, meaning unprocessed, real fruits and vegetables, good quality meats and other animal products (eggs, dairy).  Sweets became "sometimes foods" for special occasions.  I also took a hard look into what I was feeding my kids and took the same approach to what they ate and what I packed in their lunches.  After a year of eating this way, my cholesterol dropped to a very healthy level, I learned what foods caused inflammation in my body and have learned to reduce or eliminate them, and we have been eating this way ever since.  Am I "fixed"?  No.  I really love great tasting food and I believe in accountability  when it comes to what you eat if you are a person who has a great passion for eating good food.  Tracking (or journaling) what I eat helps keep me in check.  I look at it like I look at my checkbook.  I have to keep track of my spending, or it could get out of control. I am a big fan of checks and balances.  I believe that keeping things in the dark allows us to live in denial, but when you shine a light on your struggles by admitting them and asking for help regularly -- from a friend, spouse, or health coach - it allows for better success to overcome them.  I believe this is true for any struggle, not just those related to food.

I have learned to make healthy food taste great and make better choices which is key for my staying healthy.  I have learned what foods are most nourishing for me, and through my training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I have also learned that the most nourishing foods can differ from one person to the next, and I want to help you find out how to best nourish your unique body.  We all need to be nourished spiritually, physically through food and activity, and through healthy relationships and a satisfying career.  I am passionate about coaching my clients to better self care, learning to slow down and think deeply, which leads to the ability to better care for and respect others, and finding joy in living your unique life.

If you are reading this and any of this resonates with you-- if you're feeling overwhelmed with all that is on your plate and could use help finding your balance; if you have been diagnosed with a food allergy or sensitivity and need help finding out how to eat healthy without those foods in your diet; if you eat emotionally and don't know how to stop; if you're struggling with how to get healthy and delicious meals planned, prepared and on the table that your family will eat; if you struggle with body image and self confidence; or if you want to learn how to incorporate healthier foods into your diet, a health coach can be a great mentor and guide to help you identify your goals and motivate and support you as you achieve them.  I would like to be that coach for you. Contact me at jj@reallivinghealth.com or complete the form on my contact page located on this site and I will be in touch to discuss how to begin your journey to real living health. 

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