You might think that nutrition coaching is solely about what you eat, but it’s so much more than that.
It’s about understanding and addressing the various factors that influence our eating habits and overall health.
Here are SOME of these key areas we address in Nutrition Coaching that affect what we eat, yet go beyond food.
Mindset
Your mindset plays a huge role in your nutrition journey.
If you approach eating with a negative or all or nothing mindset, it can lead to unhealthy relationships with food.
In terms of mindset, we help our clients shift into a growth mindset—
And in relation to food, viewing each meal as an opportunity to nourish your body and improve your health.
Stress:
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on our health, our system and ultimately our eating habits.
When stressed, many of us turn to food for comfort, certainty or a feeling – and it’s usually unhealthy foods that are high in sugar and fat.
In terms of stress, we help clients unpack and better understand their stressors. And develop stress management techniques that can help make healthier food choices.
Lifestyle Choices
Our daily habits and routines significantly impact our nutrition.
Things that are very easy to gloss over that ultimately affect our weight, what we eat and how we feel.
Things like, prioritizing sleep, staying physically active, and consciously making time for meal prep are all lifestyle choices that support healthy eating.
When it comes to lifestyle choices, we meet people where they are at and slowly help create a more balanced life that fosters better nutrition habits.
Behaviors and Choices:
Our behaviors and the choices we make daily shape our life. Nutrition choices are no exception.
Oftentimes we all find ourselves mindlessly eating in front of the TV.
Skipping meals.
Overeating.
We help people unpack their choices, and their behaviors and in doing so we become more aware of our own patterns.
This allows us to make conscious changes.
Environment.
Our surroundings can either support or hinder us and our nutritional goals.
Example, If your kitchen is stocked with junk food, it’s going to be tough to make healthy choices.
Temptation is real and we will give in.
Included in the environment we address is who we live with, work with and who’s supporting or hurting our progress.
Social Pressures:
A lot of us have a hard time saying no. We feel guilty. Want to people please. And in doing so, we abandon our health, and let others be in the driver seat for our choices.
Whether it’s a family gathering, a night out with friends, or workplace treats, social pressures will challenge your nutrition goals.
We help give people their power back.
Reinforce the strength to say no and not feel guilty nor bad about it.
Those who love and support us will understand.
Childhood and Childhood Trauma
Our early experiences with food can have lasting effects on our eating habits. Childhood trauma or negative experiences around food can lead to emotional eating or disordered eating patterns.
Most folks haven’t taken the time to unpack this.
We create a safe environment to start to unravel these experiences and accept that they are a part of our story.
We help clients share, be heard and recognize their past.
And help create a new, healthy way to move forward.
Identity
How you see yourself can influence your eating habits.
If you’ve always been the heavy, overweight, unhealthy version of yourself, or even rewarded for this version – it can be difficult to leave it behind.
When making changes – we are shifting from who we knew ourselves to be into the version we are aspiring to become. Usually that entails being healthy, active, and conscious of our choices.
Shifting your identity to align with your health goals is one of the most empowering parts of nutrition coaching.
It is incredibly difficult to do alone.
Having a guide, constant support and someone to help you commit to yourself is the proven way to achieve the best results.
Self-Worth
Our sense of self-worth is deeply connected to how we treat our body.
The thoughts we think. The stories we tell ourselves.
If you struggle with low self-esteem, you might find it hard to prioritize yourself, your fitness and ultimately your nutrition.
When we are at a low, and food choices we make are only making it worse it can feel like hitting rock bottom.
One of the more powerful aspects that occurs within Nutrition Coaching is helping people improve their relationship with themselves.
Providing a safe space to help practice self-love, self-compassion and acknowledge their efforts, progress and commitments.
Layers to Health
Nutrition coaching at Railroad isn’t just about food—it’s about addressing the whole person and the myriad factors that influence our eating habits.
By understanding and working on mindset, stress, lifestyle choices, behaviors, environment, social pressures, childhood experiences, identity, and self-worth, we can create lasting, positive changes in our nutrition and overall health.
We’re here to support you in improving your life – beyond the walls of the gym.
Eat well, love yourself and stay committed.
Shawn
