FAQ

What certifications do you hold? 

Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification

Certificate in Exercise Nutrition

B.S. Communication Studies

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

Burgener Strength Olympic Weightlifting Level 1

Corporate background of 10+ years in people development and coaching in a professional setting

Coaching full time with a client base capped at 50 individuals for over seven years

What IS flexible dieting and what does tracking macros mean?

Flexible dieting is calorie counting with precision. By tracking to meet a set of macronutrient targets (protein, fat, and carbohydrates), you learn to prioritize the food you love while remaining in a range of intake that has you on a clear course towards your goals, regardless of what those are. For my one-on-one coaching clients, I help set custom targets based on your preferences and teach you how to track accurately and confidently no matter the situation. 

Click here to visit The Basics of Macros for more information.

Why track every little thing? It seems excessive and time consuming. 

Anything new can feel overwhelming. Tracking food teaches you so much about portion sizes and what the food you love is composed of. Tracking macros helps you tie the food you love in with what your body needs. Think of tracking macros as a way to prioritize what you want out of your nutritional life. You can always find a way to work in the food or drink you love and still hit your targets. The 5-10 minutes per day that I spend tracking my own food is worth the ability to maintain my hard earned progress, maintain a good relationship with food, eliminate food guilt, and feel my best… one hundred times over. Over time, you will learn to maintain your progress without the need to track. The tools that tracking macros will provide you are tools you will use forever.

I’m not ready for macro-level tracking. Can you still help me?

Absolutely. Not everyone is ready to track macros. As a coach, I have plenty of behavior-based habits that we build on if you’re not quite nutritionally proficient. Little changes have a huge impact over time. I can help with building and implementing a plan that helps adjust your view of and use of food, while incorporating changes that will add up to big change. 

I’ve failed at every diet I’ve ever done. How is this different? 

Many diets are built on the premise of restriction. Flexible dieting is the opposite of that. As we work to change your habits surrounding food, a set of macronutrient targets act as our guide. You get to fill those targets with food that you look forward to and enjoy. Plus, you have me in your corner helping reassure your point in the process. Balance at its best!

Can I still eat ____________?

YES. I believe you need to eat in a way that you can maintain forever. You can have ANYTHING, just not EVERYTHING. Count me out of a lifestyle that doesn’t allow for my favorite things. 

Do I have to eat ___________?

NOPE. There are no required foods, no necessary supplements, and no chicken and broccoli meal plans here. I create the nutrition map and you build the course to get there with my help.

I’ve been eating low carb. Can I make the switch?

Do you enjoy eating low carb? Are you desiring a more balanced approach? You can absolutely switch from low carb to flexible dieting, and I can create a plan to do just that.

I have food restrictions. Is that OK?

It is not only OK, but I have a supportive online community and many members have restrictions and/or aversions. We work around them - whether you’re dairy free, gluten free, peanut/egg/legume free. I have ideas and recipes for anyone. 

I’m not exactly active. Do I need to work out? 

Exercise is important for countless reasons, but metabolic repair is my biggest priority. Cardiovascular fitness will add years to your life, clear your mind, and energize you. Building and maintaining muscle mass is important for skeletal health and is key to pushing your metabolic capacity. However, more is not more when it comes to exercise, and I will share why as we move along through your macro journey. Finding an exercise routine that you love and is part of a generally active lifestyle  is key to making long term changes to your body. I will encourage you to add movement that you are interested in and excited about when you are ready. Nutrition always comes first, for me.

Can I still eat at restaurants? Drink alcohol? 

As your coach, I am going to encourage you to get used to preparing your own food and making tracking a natural part of your life. Eat the same meals as your family, enjoy outings with proper planning, and employ moderation. Flexible dieting is exactly that - FLEXIBLE. However, consistency is what will make you successful long term, and that is my greatest responsibility. All of my clients learn how to track at restaurants and figure alcohol into the equation as we move forward.

I am vegan/vegetarian. Do I have to eat meat?

You do not have to eat animal protein to track macros. I have many successful vegetarian and vegan clients! The benefit to having a custom plan with ongoing coaching is that we take your food preferences/way of eating into consideration and build outward from there.

I have PCOS/thyroid/hormonal issues. Can you help me?

I can certainly create a nutrition plan with your Dr’s orders in mind. I cannot, however, prescribe a nutrition plan to treat any illness or symptoms. I have many past and current clients that have overcome a host of medical issues by gaining control of their weight via proper nutrition and an active lifestyle.

I am pregnant or trying to become pregnant? Can I track macros?

Of course. I’ve tracked many women through pregnancy to ensure healthy weight gain with the approval of their doctors. Pregnancy is one of the most critical times of your life to take your nutrition into consideration. This also gives you a head start on having the knowledge and skills needed for weight loss after baby arrives, if desired. I can provide nutrition plans for breastfeeding mothers if they have their own goals they’re working towards, or if that is simply feeding themselves and their little one. 

I’m at a healthy weight but want to build muscle/shed fat. Can you help?

Tracking macros is one big piece of a fairly simple recipe to improving your composition. My short and emphatic response to that is YES!

I want to gain weight. Can you help? 

I sure can. I can build a plan for it, coach to it, and have utilized this firsthand in my own ongoing effort to improve my composition and understand the process to better help you! Building muscle is hard work and nutrition in a surplus is a huge part of the process.

Do you coach minors? 

It depends on the situation. Let’s talk more about it. When coaching minors, my approach is geared towards athletic performance, not fat loss, and I want mom and dad as involved as possible. Learning about proper nutrition is a priceless education. 

Do you coach figure competitors?

I do not. My coaching is focused on helping regular folks and everyday athletes looking to change their bodies and improve their relationship with food. However, I can provide a trusted referral to a coach who can help.

Do you create meal plans?

I do not write meal plans. And you should never pay for one! After all, if you don’t love the food you’re eating, how long do you expect to be able to sustain eating that way? I do, however, provide countless recipes and hundreds of ideas in my private online group. Flexible dieting revolves around you eating the food that you enjoy. Not the food that I think you should eat ;) I help you navigate building those things into a plan tailored to your goals.