The Real Life RD

helping you find peace with food and your natural body size

  • the RD & NP
  • Online Courses
  • Women’s Wellness
  • Speaking
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Body Image, Eating Disorders, Exercise, Intuitive Eating, Running, Self Care

Reframing Disordered Thoughts & Beliefs

December 12, 2017 By Robyn 59 Comments

Since we live in diet culture, most of us have been influenced at one point or another by our environment. Maybe you were first exposed to diet culture inside your home at the dinner table. Maybe you were first exposed in high school when your girlfriends started dieting for spring break. Maybe you were first exposed in college when the pressure to fit in was high. Maybe you were first exposed in the grocery store line as you glanced through the magazine covers while waiting to check out.

We all have a different story. But most of us have been exposed to, and negatively influenced by diet culture. I took me years to realize I didn’t have to participate in diet culture. Because it was so engrained in my everyday life and everyone was talking about their body and what they ate, I thought it was normal.

diet culture

We don’t realize how much of our everyday thoughts and subconscious have been hijacked by diet culture. And for me, and maybe you too, I didn’t even realize it was happening until it did. Because unless we actively work against diet culture, we will eventually become passive victims. I use the analogy of a raft floating in a river with clients to describe this. If you imagine getting on a raft and just laying there, the raft will float downstream with the current of the river. The current is diet culture. You have to move your arms and peddle upstream in order to not float downstream with the current.

I remember being really frustrated when I couldn’t stop thinking about calories even though I tried. And almost all of the the clients I work with feel the same way at one point or another. They are working against diet culture, but the disordered noise is still in their head. Sometimes it’s just a pesky whisper and sometimes it’s all consuming. Maybe you feel similarly too?

One thing we work on together is reframing thoughts. Before the reframing process can begin, you have to be able to recognize the disordered/diet culture driven thoughts and beliefs. And then you can begin dismantling these thoughts, and instead reframing them into actual truths. Often positive affirmations can help in this process.

diet culture

Here are some common food/body beliefs and thoughts I hear and some reframing of those beliefs that might be helpful for you.

“I can’t trust my body since whenever I eat xyz I gain weight.”

Your body has been there all along. Your body is waiting for you to stop fighting it. Reframing that might look like, “I’ve broken trust with my body by trying to control it. My job is to listen so I can nourish and care for my body, and my body’s job is to manage my body size.”

“Seeing my friend count macros [or eat paleo or workout every day or eat vegan] makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong.”

Often, we compare ourselves to other people and start questioning if what we are doing is the “right” thing. Whenever this happens, whether it’s food related or something else, reframing it might look like.. “Controlling my food and feeling obligated to exercise a certain way is not in line with my values. That is for them, but not for me.”

“If I let myself eat whatever my body is craving, I’m going to gain weight and then people will think I’ve let myself go.”

Culture makes us believe that smaller body size = you have your life together and under control. The truth is, fighting your natural body size means food and exercise are controlling you. Reframing that might look like, “If I let myself eat whatever my body is craving, I can give my body the opportunity to find it’s natural size and feel more in control of my life.

“Being known as the smaller person makes me feel above average and set apart from others.”

Micromanaging your body size by controlling your food intake and exercise habits is not unique. We live in a world where the majority of people are trying to micromanage their body size and control their food. That doesn’t set you apart, it makes you just like everyone else. Reframing that might look like, “Accepting my natural body size and listening to what my body needs sets me apart from the majority and allows me to live out my values and purpose.”

diet culture

“I’m afraid of calories and what eating over ‘x’ amount will do to me.”

Calories get a bad rap. We fear calories and think of them as something that has to be controlled or they will do something harmful to us. But what if you started to think of calories in a positive way. Calories = energy. They help us. Reframing that might look like, “Calories don’t do something to me, they are the energy that do something for me. Calories help me focus at work, care for my kids, engage in a conversation, move my legs as I go throughout my day…”

“If I don’t exercise most days, I will gain weight.”

We often believe that we need to do structured exercise everyday in order to maintain our body size. Our bodies require energy simply to breathe and for many things beyond planned workouts. First, ask yourself if controlling your exercise is preventing your body from finding it’s set point. Then, remember if you are tuning into your body’s needs, it will tell you how much to eat to meet your body’s energy needs. Reframing that might look like, “My body requires energy for many things beyond structured movement and it will tell me how to nourish my body no matter what movement looks like throughout the day. I don’t have to micromanage.”

I hope these were helpful. If you have other beliefs that keep you stuck in controlling your food, exercise or body share them in the comments. I can always do more posts like these 🙂


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

  • Can You Want To Change Your Body And Still Exercise Mindfully?Can You Want To Change Your Body And Still Exercise Mindfully?
  • How I Moved From Rigid Exercise To Intuitive MovementHow I Moved From Rigid Exercise To Intuitive Movement
  • Letting Go of Exercise and Embracing MovementLetting Go of Exercise and Embracing Movement
  • Positive Body Image Isn’t Passive, But An Active ProcessPositive Body Image Isn’t Passive, But An Active Process

Filed Under: Body Image, Eating Disorders, Exercise, Intuitive Eating, Running, Self Care

« That Time I Spontaneously Drove 10 Hours Home
To You, New York »

Comments

  1. Emily says

    December 12, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Please do more posts like this, Robyn! I find your insight and guidance very helpful.

    Reply
  2. Carrie this fit chick says

    December 12, 2017 at 11:05 am

    This is amazing, Robyn! I love how you shift those thoughts– such a great thing to practice and the more you practice, the more those thoughts become intuitive. Going to share this post to all!

    Reply
  3. Amber @ Bloom Nutrition Therapy says

    December 12, 2017 at 11:58 am

    These are SO GREAT! I love the one about feeling unique. When I was obsessively exercising, I really DEFINED myself as a “runner” and I truly believe that it set me apart from everyone else. One of the reasons I was afraid to let go of structured exercise was that I didn’t know how to define myself without it. But, this alone, helped me to realize that my identity was wrapped up in my disordered thoughts and THAT wasn’t healthy. By letting go of structured exercise and being a runner, I discovered myself all over again. I found out that I am also a great friend, puppy parent, wife, wanna be violin player, lover of wine and reading. Reframing this belief really helped me to see outside of myself.

    Reply
    • Trista Johnson says

      December 12, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      I can relate to this! I was very attached to my identity as a runner as well and there are still times I feel lost/inadequate now because I no longer run the way I used to. Like you, however, I have been amazed to find how many other ways I enjoy spending my time- painting, reading, joining more committees, socializing more, being more spontaneous, etc. It was really nice to read my own thoughts coming from someone else. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Robyn says

        December 15, 2017 at 10:11 am

        There are so many other life giving things we can explore when we give ourselves time to do it instead of working out – thanks for the reminder Trista 🙂

        Reply
        • Anon. Y. Mouse says

          May 21, 2019 at 1:02 am

          Hi, Robyn!

          Sorry to comment on an old post, but I found something disturbing that I hope you can do something about.

          Unfortunately, there is a subsection of the social media site Reddit which takes positive posts such as yours and mocks them. Here is an example: https://www.reddit.com/r/fatlogic/comments/br0xn3/not_eating_a_second_slice_of_cakemicromanaging/

          I have contacted the Reddit admins about this and encourage you to do the same.

          Reply
  4. Shannon K says

    December 12, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    Thank you for this! So helpful, and so needed at this time of year.

    Reply
  5. Sheema @ Outdoor Karma says

    December 12, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    High school was the time period when I unfortunately discovered the calorie restriction diet. It was an awful time, numbers would plague my head and I recoiled socially. But over time you start to realize the emptiness of that routine, and find fulfillment in more gratifying practices.

    Reply
  6. MJ says

    December 12, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    I am a silent reader, but just had to comment to say how helpful this post was. Thank you <3

    Reply
  7. Jacqueline D'Attoma says

    December 12, 2017 at 1:06 pm

    Love this Robyn! My bible study group from Cru made a little portable little flip book with notecards held together with a metal ring that we put a limiting belief on the front of each notecard and a positive bible verse contradicting the thought and pouring truth into our minds. We decorated the cover with scrapbook paper so we could carry these in our backpacks and memorize uplifting scripture for hard times when our minds get the best of us. Positive Affirmations are such a great tool!

    Reply
  8. Samantha says

    December 12, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    I LOVED this. And related to it so much, especially in regards to the exercise piece, controlling food and exercise and being small making me ‘special’ and the fear that if I gain people will think I have let myself go. This was a great reminder going into the busy holiday season that it is okay to just enjoy this time and not be so fixated on all of this stuff.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:09 am

      It is very much OKAY. Wishing you a joyful holiday season Samantha 🙂

      Reply
  9. lindsay says

    December 12, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    i absolutely LOVE this post. i can relate to so many, if not all of the things you listed. i’m struggling right now with wanting to lose weight/diet/etc and be intuitive. the struggle is real!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:10 am

      It is HARD! Keep your chin up and looking ahead Lindsay <3

      Reply
  10. Rosamund says

    December 12, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    Wow that point about having a smaller body = being in control hit home. I had no control over my life when I was xx kg. Diet culture had control as it was telling me to work out for 2 hours a day and eat under a certain amount of calories. When I feel those niggling thought again or see other people engaging in diet behavior I remind myself of what that life was like and the things I can do now that I couldn’t before (go out for dinner, travel without googling the closest gym…). Another great post 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:10 am

      Yes! Reminding yourself of what your natural body size allows you to do is so helpful!

      Reply
  11. jess says

    December 12, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    love this, love you. favorite part: “accepting my natural body size and listening to what my body needs sets me apart from the majority and allows me to live out my values and purpose.”

    …can Christy Harrison have you on her podcast already?!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:11 am

      hahah I WISH 🙂

      Reply
  12. Anslie says

    December 12, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    I really needed this! So powerful and so true! Recovering in this diet world has been a struggle and finding peace and inspiration to just be me is difficult. Keep doing these types of posts! I would like to know what you might change the thought of too much sugar into?

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:12 am

      writing down your sugar thought for another post! xx

      Reply
  13. Megan @ A Continual Feast says

    December 12, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Yes would love to see more “reframing” posts! This is awesome. My favorite is the one about control… so true that we THINK we are in control when really the food/exercise is controlling us!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:12 am

      Yes! its the lie of diet culture…we have to call it out. xx

      Reply
  14. Kate says

    December 12, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    In regards to other people dieting/working out/eating vegan, in the words of Amy Poehler, “Good for you, not for me.”

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:12 am

      Great reference.

      Reply
  15. Emily says

    December 12, 2017 at 11:57 pm

    I am a new reader – this post really spoke to me where I am right now in my recovery and actively choosing not to indulge in those disordered thoughts and beliefs that would hinder recovery. I will definitely be reading the rest of your blog! Thank you for your wonderful way with words.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:13 am

      welcome Emily!! thank you for reading and I’m so glad the post resonated <3

      Reply
  16. Emily Swanson says

    December 13, 2017 at 1:02 am

    Wow, this is powerful. Especially the parts about eating over a certain amount of calories really hit me; I still have that in my head often (that I will gain weight) if I eat over 2000 or 2500 calories a day. I know that’s not the right way to look at calories.

    Also one of the diet culture lies that I have often let get inside my head is, ‘I need to be a certain size to be healthy’ instead of naturally embracing that size that I am now and buying clothes that flatter that size instead of trying to fit myself into a certain size.

    I love that analogy of getting off the raft of diet culture; we really do have to mindfully go upstream against the diet culture.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:14 am

      Calories are completely arbitrary …our bodies are really the experts. Thanks for sharing Emily 🙂

      Reply
  17. Katherine says

    December 13, 2017 at 9:19 am

    It’s like you wrote out all the messages my ED would tell me! I’m so thankful to not be in bondage to these thoughts anymore – I’m not completely free from them, but I am coming along. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:14 am

      I’m celebrating your freedom with you Katherine!!

      Reply
  18. Vivienne says

    December 13, 2017 at 10:02 am

    Absolutely love this post. Your words and thoughts regarding the diet culture are so inspiring and insightful. Please keep them coming!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:14 am

      🙂 <3

      Reply
  19. Edie says

    December 13, 2017 at 10:26 am

    You hit the nail on the head with this one, Robyn! Love you insight (as always). You’re such an inspiration in this community!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:14 am

      thanks for reading edie 🙂 xx

      Reply
  20. Inês Calisto says

    December 13, 2017 at 11:54 am

    Hi Robyn,
    I love every word you wrote on this topic. In fact, I’m loving to read your entire blog after discovering it through Women’s Health mag. I’m following your blog now, from the Azores, a small group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic, belonging to Portugal. Have you already heard of it? Have you been here?

    I would like to leave a question: I absolutely love the idea of not fighting your natural body size but what if my natural body size is really large and I feel bad with myself when I get there?

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:16 am

      Hello from Azores!! How fun! Welcome Ines 🙂 I haven’t been there but I’ve heard of amazing things about Portugal and would LOVE to go.

      That’s a great question – here is a post that I did last week that might be helpful. <3
      https://www.thereallife-rd.com/2017/12/positive-body-image/

      Reply
      • Inês Calisto says

        December 18, 2017 at 7:53 am

        Thank you so much 🙂

        Reply
  21. MB says

    December 13, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    SO much yes to this post. Thank you for writing it. I needed to read it today. I struggle with this stuff constantly and especially related to, “IF I LET MYSELF EAT WHATEVER MY BODY IS CRAVING, I’M GOING TO GAIN WEIGHT AND THEN PEOPLE WILL THINK I’VE LET MYSELF GO.”

    I have been trying to “lose 10 pounds” for as long as I can remember (probably started in high school and I’m in my late 20s now). For me, I feel like I’m giving up or failing if I accept my body as it is (which is at a perfectly healthy weight/BMI). I have just always felt unsatisfied and like I need to achieve something in order to feel good in my body. So, acceptance or letting myself eat whatever I want feels like out of control failure to me. It’s such a hard mindset to break free from! Thanks again for this post.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:17 am

      the first step is getting off the diet train and saying NO to diet culture — NO to pursuing weight loss and NO to controlling your food my objective measures. Once you decide you’re not going in that direction, you can continue walking forward (although it’s bumpy and those thoughts come back…keep disobeying them) <3

      Reply
  22. Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off says

    December 13, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    Loved this post! I think for me and for a lot of people, what is difficult is dissociating your identity from your body. It’s so easy to fall into that spiral where you think of yourself as only at one body size and it’s terrifying to let go of that because then, who are you? I think that was the biggest roadblock for me.
    I would also be so interested in hearing your thoughts on healthy weight loss, and how if you don’t feel happy in your skin because you are in a larger body than you feel is right for you, if weight loss can be a healthy option.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:18 am

      pursing weight loss as a goal is never a healthy option. Here is a post that might be helpful <3
      I think the challenge is accepting your natural body size - even if it's not the body size you would pick. love to you!
      https://www.thereallife-rd.com/2017/12/positive-body-image/

      Reply
      • Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off says

        December 15, 2017 at 3:04 pm

        Thank you for your thoughtful reply Robyn. I am definitely not at the place where I am pursuing weight loss or anything like that; I’m quite happy with where I am right now, but the reason I asked is just, I read Andie Mitchell’s memoir “It Was Me All Along,” which just sparked some thoughts in me about when it’s okay to seek weight loss because it will make you happier and when you should just accept your body.

        Reply
  23. sj says

    December 13, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    I absolutely love this! I am recovering from anorexia and obsessive/compulsive exercise and sometimes find it hard to not feel bad when I don’t workout for more than a couple days…I definitely struggle with that thought that the exercise that I do that day makes me more productive in my day. Some days are better than others though! I also hear that thought that strong exercise culture tells me that I am weak for not working out but I am trying to push past that! 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:19 am

      take those throughs to trial and challenge their truth – are they true? or are they arbitrary beliefs? <3

      Reply
  24. Andrea says

    December 13, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    Incredibly written and insightful. Yes, yes, yes to all!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:19 am

      <3

      Reply
  25. emily vardy says

    December 14, 2017 at 7:00 am

    Thank you thank you thank you, Robyn! Really great post.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:19 am

      <3

      Reply
  26. Katherine says

    December 14, 2017 at 9:50 pm

    Robyn, this post is on point. I have had each and every one of those thoughts (many continue to plague me still on a daily basis) and this post offers such positive spins on the negative talk that I dole out to myself all the time. Since you posted a couple days ago I’ve already come back for a reminder of the positive counterpoints to my diet mentality. This post will certainly become a reference guide for me. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:19 am

      I’m so glad it has been helpful Katherine! Rooting for you!

      Reply
  27. Maggie Niemiec says

    December 18, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    S, so helpful! My dietitian, Reba Sloan, always talks about tuning in to our “truth channel.” We have to listen to truth and forget all the lies culture may tell us!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      December 19, 2017 at 12:30 pm

      love that! your “truth channel” –> totally using that with clients, thanks for sharing Maggie 🙂

      Reply
  28. Emily at The We Files says

    February 15, 2018 at 12:56 am

    I love this post so much. I’m needing encouragement and reading through some blogs from you and others. I wonder if you might write about particular food fears sometime? I would love to read that!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      February 15, 2018 at 9:20 am

      Would totally be open! Anything in particular about fear foods?

      Reply
      • Emily Hawkins says

        February 15, 2018 at 11:27 am

        Hi, Robyn! So being vulnerable here but for me, I still have fears that I try to work through about foods that have been put down in our culture. So if for example I’m eating sugar, dairy, or wondering about food preservatives or coloring, I can worry about the cumulative impact these foods will have on my body over time and if by eating them I will do more harm than good.

        Reply
        • Robyn says

          February 15, 2018 at 7:20 pm

          Very much admire your vulnerability and sharing with me <3 I think that's a complex question but this post might be helpful! working through those fears can be individual and working to reframe those beliefs. I what is encouraging is that heath is so much more than what's on your plate. I think working towards intuitive eating will lead you to a place of physical nourishment and mental/emotional satisfaction.

          https://www.thereallife-rd.com/2017/07/clean-eating/
          https://www.thereallife-rd.com/2016/06/whatishealthyliving/

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Weekender 12/16 - Oats & Rows says:
    December 16, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    […] on Their Bodies via Healthy Helper How to Keep Nutrients Intact When Cooking via Nutrition Stripped Reframing Disordered Thoughts & Beliefs via The Real Life […]

    Reply
  2. Recipes, Round-ups and Q+A says:
    December 18, 2017 at 9:01 am

    […] to reframe disordered eating thoughts– You have to read […]

    Reply
  3. A Gentle Approach to Nutrition - SATISFY NUTRITION says:
    January 2, 2018 at 8:04 am

    […] Reframing disordered thoughts and beliefs […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

More On Lady Hormones

How Birth Control Methods Affect Your Hormones, Period and Fertility

What Your Cervical Fluid Can Tell You About Your Reproductive Health

women's reproductive health

Women’s Reproductive Health 101

I have yet to experience postpartum myself, but I've had many clients and readers that have been through that season of life. Or perhaps you are currently living through the postpartum period. Every woman's body is different, therefore every woman's experience after giving birth will be different. What works for one woman, might not work for the next. While one woman might go through postpartum and adjust to newborn life quiet seamlessly, another woman might find it much more difficult. She might need the support of medication, therapy, extra help and many other things. One way is not better than the other - they are simply two different ways of navigating the postpartum period. I hope this post helps you better care for yourself, whatever that means for you. There's no right or wrong way to care for yourself as a mom or your new baby.

Postpartum Hormones: what’s happening in your body and how to care for yourself

* indicates required

Categories

Get in Touch!

Follow Me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

I talk a lot about moving, eating, and living intuitively so you can be well hormonally and live a fulfilling life in line with your values

The Real Life RD on Pinterest

  • Instagram Find: Viktoria's Awe-Inspiring Kids Rooms Filled With Pretty Design - NordicDesign
  • 10 X DE MOOISTE KINDERKAMERS VAN INSTAGRAM OKTOBER
  • Wooden Rainbow Lamp Wooden night light Kids room decoration | Etsy
  • This cute little walk-in wardrobe for kids is too cute of an idea! Loving the white tones with a pop of teal drawers
Follow Me on Pinterest
We veered from our usual Friday night homemade piz We veered from our usual Friday night homemade pizza (minus the dough, we leave that to @albemarlebakingco) because we are eating pizza tomorrow with some friends - instead I called my mom and asked her how she makes her chicken fingers and we fried up a big ole batch of chicken nugs 🙌🏻🤤 along with a sheet pan full of sweet potato fries and a simple arugula salad dressed with parmesean, olive oil and s&p. Oh and my moms honey mustard recipe for dipping. It’s SO DANG GOOD.  Over the past 6ish months we’ve been practicing (and practicing and practicing bc it doesn’t come naturally) unplugging from technology and slowing down and resting and just being for one day a week. Some call it Shabbat. Some call it Sabbath. Maybe you call it something different. All I know is IT IS SO GOOD FOR MY WEARY SOUL and the day I look forward to ALL WEEK. Sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. Nothing but rest. For us that means hiking (or something outside) and napping and reading and being with friends and eating really good food. And drinking some really good wine or craft beer. Sometimes whiskey. 😛  And because I know I’ll get asked about the chicken finger recipe and also because it’s too good not to share and Momma Coale said I could, here ya go:  Cut chicken breast into thin strips or small pieces (I prefer nug size bc the breading to chicken ratio is perfection). Salt and pepper those babies really well. Then dredge them in all purpose flour, then egg, then panko - just like you would bread anything else. Then fry them up in a light oil - I use avocado oil because that’s our everyday oil. You could also use canola or peanut oil. Just fill a pan with an inch or so of oil on medium high heat. They only take 2-3 minutes per side. You can always temp them to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F to really make sure they are done. Dunk in all the sauces and enjoy!  Happy weekend!
I am not a craft mom. My version of crafts is baki I am not a craft mom. My version of crafts is baking because 1) my toddler actually engages with it and 2) we have tasty things to eat in the end.  Wanna know how long crafts last in our house? Approximately 23 seconds. Maybe 51 on a good day. So we just stopped crafting a long time ago and instead started baking.  And when I need my toddler to stay in one place, I turn on the faucet. I am still utterly amazed at how long water can entertain a small human. And it’s FREE. 🙌🏻 well, mostly..  Send me all your favorite baking recipes because we are on a roll over here 👩🏻‍🍳
Just left my mom vacation. 💆🏻‍♀️ I do Just left my mom vacation. 💆🏻‍♀️  I don’t know what this says about me. Anybody else find the dentist weirdly relaxing? For the most part, I love being with my two tiny humans all day, but BLESS does it feel good to lay in a chair for 60 minutes with my eyes closed and do nothing except hold my mouth open.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 two babies are asleep at the same time in their beds (and not on me) for the FIRST TIME IN 7657 DAYS and dear lord I could cry tears of relief straight into this latte and bowl of chocolate chips bc I woke up this morning exhausted and weary and told Nick I didn’t want to parent today 🤣 Not even calling this self care. It’s sanity right now. And even if it lasts 5 minutes it will be 5 minutes of freaking glory. p.s. yes that brick is crooked bc v uneven floors are part of the charmed package of this old house
Learning over and over again in this season that f Learning over and over again in this season that feels unsettled and chaotic and longgggggg that sometimes, you just need the viewpoint of a toddler to remind you that the seemingly insignificant things & moments really are....straight up magical. And that yes, these mundane days are packed full of goodness & beauty if I keep my eyes fixed on what actually matters.
Spent two hours at Lowe’s this morning and wow, Spent two hours at Lowe’s this morning and wow, wowww 🤯 Asked at least six people where to find something and their opinion on all the options bc holy decision fatigue. Nursed my newborn on the floor of the paint aisle. And BLESS my new contractor friend Matt I found in the lumber section that pushed my cart around and helped me avoid the mistake of buying exterior wood for some DIY bathroom shelves.
.
I’m giving all our bathrooms a DIY makeover and I couldn’t be more of a rookie. So shoutout to all my Lowe’s buddies and YouTube 😜 You’re making this happen.
We are now officially homeowners. WUT? We didn’t We are now officially homeowners. WUT? We didn’t plan to close on a house 10 weeks after having a baby, but here we are. And we are so, so grateful.  And I’m also terrified. We’ve moved three times and lived in three different states since we got married three years ago. After six years spent living in New York City and Boston, moving back to Charlottesville was really, really hard for me. I cried a lot those first six months because my heart ached for the northeast and for city life. I wanted to pack up and go back to Boston ASAP. It felt so different and so quiet here and at times, very lonely. Even though it felt like the next right step, I second guessed our decision A LOT.
.
But here we are 10 months later ready to continue investing in this neighborhood we’ve come to love. And this community of people that have become so dear. Ten months later and it feels so, so right. And although committing to settling down here for a good bit feels really scary to me, it also brings so much peace to know we aren’t moving again anytime soon. We are here to plant and grow. And raise our babies in this house as we make it a home. It’s also really fun to have one of your best friends be your realtor. We love you @kelli.teter.nesting 🤗
.
Now, to see if we make it out of this kitchen renovation all in one piece 🤪
my go-to breakfast these days is two fried eggs in my go-to breakfast these days is two fried eggs in ghee with sautéed spinach (also in ghee) and an english muffin with more ghee + some sort of jam on half for that sweet & savory combo. we discovered these local english muffins (from The Bread Basket) and they are doughy and delicious and we are obsessed.
.
I’ve found that I need a solid source of protein and lots of fat for breakfast to keep me full while breastfeeding this time around vs with Cal, I was so into big bowls of pb & chocolate chip banana oatmeal. just goes to show our bodies know what they need and change cravings accordingly. also, just a psa: go pick up the maple butter from @traderjoes bc it is bonkers 🤤 and lastly, shout out to my husband bc a lot of mornings he is making this bfast for me while I nurse & try to pull myself out of bed - don’t for a moment think I’ve got it together 🤪
I’ve had many thoughts rolling around in my brai I’ve had many thoughts rolling around in my brain of if/how to use this platform in a way that aligns with how I want to live my life. I’m finding it tricky to discern that when 90% of my use on this app is for professional purposes. But I’m not sure if even professionally, it makes sense for me. Because I feel more aligned with what matters to me when I’m not regularly present here.  I’m not really sure what things will look like moving forward, but for right now I’m here to share with you that I somehow found some spare minutes between newborn & toddler life to write a post with some semi-coherent thoughts on life lately. 🤪 You can head there by clicking the link in my profile.
I’ve been completely disconnected from social me I’ve been completely disconnected from social media and that’s been vital for me during this tender postpartum period of transitioning from a mama of 1 to 2. But today, I’m bopping on briefly to share how Teddy entered this wild world with you - if you’re into a lengthy, detailed birth story, the link in my profile will lead you to the blog post 💙
Theodore “Teddy” Lars Nohling joined our famil Theodore “Teddy” Lars Nohling joined our family at 12:48am on Wednesday after a quick and swift labor & birth at home 💙 Thank you Father for another healthy baby boy & your abundant, tender love for us. What an undeserved gift.
Very grateful to be carrying another baby past his Very grateful to be carrying another baby past his due date, but also....LET’S GO DUDE. Still over here eating dates (check out the @ebbirth article on the research showing dates can help ripen (aka soften) your cervix, reduce the need for medical intervention in labor and can overall, improve birth outcomes) drinking red raspberry leaf tea and sleeping as much as possible with a 19 month old running around. And also trying to survive July in VA without public pools or splash pads bc it is BLAZIN HERE (and I’m a wuss with the heat 🤪)

Copyright © 2021 · The Real RD· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer


Terms and Conditions | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy