In 2018, I was officially diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This medical condition increases my risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. All of which is often caused by the hormonal imbalance resulting in significant weight gain. Because of these risk factors I now face, this makes it even more important for me to focus on my nutrition and exercise. Growing up I would come home from school and have one of those microwavable pot pies that contained half the amount of our daily sodium intake and a Little Debbie snack with no nutritional value before I even had dinner. I ate fruits and vegetables maybe 1-2 times per week unless they were prepared for me. Does this sound familiar? Since then, I’ve learned how to add fruits and vegetables easily through the Mediterranean diet. By slightly reducing my carbohydrates, following a mostly Mediterranean diet, and having a regular exercise routine I am able to keep my weight in check reducing my risk of developing any chronic diseases that come with PCOS. Do I fall off track and lose motivation sometimes? Of course, everyone does and we’re not all perfect. The important thing is that we get back to it ASAP and keep ourselves accountable to our goals. As I go through my own journey, you can bet I will provide the latest research to not only help myself, but also my clients improve their own lives. As I was raised in the Midwest, meat and potatoes were a big part of my diet. Therefore studying nutrition is a natural fit so that I can continue to enjoy food. It also helps that I enjoy working with people, specifically helping women. Becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) felt like the perfect fit to blend my two passions. In the last 5 years, I have worked with hundreds of diabetics who need support and weight loss. By following the Mediterranean diet, clients were able to lose weight which helped them better manage their blood sugar. Nutrition education in the hospital is uncomfortable, rushed, and incomplete which is not what you will experience when you come into my office. When creating my in-person nutrition business, I wanted to give more time and guidance with my clients in a comfortable, confidential, and supportive setting. Therefore, I offer up to 1 hour for each appointment at my office. As your registered dietitian nutritionist, I have a passion for helping middle-aged women eat better so they can feel confident while losing up to 100 lbs., managing blood sugars, and improving heart health; all of which together make up metabolic syndrome. Often clients come to me for a natural approach by improving diet such as reducing sodium and reducing carbohydrate intake to manage their chronic conditions before starting medication or considering bariatric surgery. Even if this is not the primary goal, my clients see their blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol are better managed overall when they lose the weight. I absolutely love what I do! Every day I get to see the positive impact nutrition has because my clients see me in my private office where you too will get the dedicated time and attention you need to manage your blood sugars and lose 100 lbs. and keep it off. It is truly a fulfilling experience as I see my clients follow the Mediterranean diet where they get the results they are looking for. I’m fortunate to be able to give you the structure and environment you need to lose 100 lbs. and stay on track. I use principles from the Mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet to provide a baseline which I then tailor to your personal needs that will work for you long-term. When my clients first come to me, they often agree there is too much overwhelming and conflicting nutrition information on the internet, commercials, self-help books, and celebrity magazines these days making it hard to sift through it all and know which direction to go in. Two of the most common questions I get asked are: “Are eggs bad for your cholesterol?” and “Should I eat fruit because it is high in sugar?”. When you come into my office, you’ll find a welcoming, private atmosphere with professional 1:1 guidance to help you lose up to 100 lbs., keep it off, and feel confident doing so.