You are a Gift!
As a dietitian, I meet people everyday who feel inadequate…about the way they look; that they don’t eat right; they don’t exercise the way they “should”; and consequently, aren’t a good enough mom, wife, daughter, etc.
My job description is to provide medical nutrition therapy to individuals. With a professional background helping people who struggle with eating disorders, I’ve learned first hand there really so much more to this complicated world of nutrition than the type or amount of carbs, fat and protein a person needs. Yes, my job is to help people navigate the toxic food environment we live in to prevent disease and live happy and healthy. But, more often, some of the work I do really is about challenging a toxic culture of perfectionism and black-and-white thinking around the issues of food, eating and weight.
To the notion that there is an “ideal model” of health and nutrition, I recently came across this passage in an old college book of mine, called “Priceless People”. This anonymous writing, titled “Unwrapping Gifts” is truly priceless and reminds us that we (and those we treat) are much more than the wrapping.
Unwrapping Gifts by Anonymous
People are gifts which are sent to us…wrapped. Some are wrapped very beautifully. They are very attractive when we first see them. Some come in ordinary wrapping paper. Others have been mishandled in the mail. Once in awhile, there is a special delivery. Some persons are gifts which come very loosely wrapped, others very tightly.
But the wrapping is not the gift. It’s so easy to make this mistake.
Sometimes the gift is very easy to open up. Sometimes we need others to help. Is it because they are afraid? Maybe they have been opened up before and thrown away.
You are a person. So you are a gift, too. A gift to yourself, first of all. You have been given to yourself. Have you ever really looked inside the wrappings? Maybe you’ve never really seen the wonderful gift that you are. Could such a gift be anything but beautiful?
And you are a gift to other people. Are you willing to give yourself to others? Do others have to be contented with the wrappings? Never permitted to enjoy – you – the gift?
With nearly two decades of experience as a registered dietitian, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the unique health challenges faced by women as they age, particularly during menopause. I hope to help you embrace midlife with confidence and vitality, and to show you that with the right mindset and approach, aging can be a time of great empowerment and joy.
Ready to prioritize your midlife health and wellness? The Four Pillars of Midlife Wellness will provide you with a fresh perspective on food, nutrition, health, and your body, enabling you to embrace your full potential and cultivate a robust sense of well-being throughout midlife and beyond!
