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
Favorite Things, Intuitive Eating, Weekend

5 Thoughts: Including IE and Being in a Larger Body

May 14, 2018 By Robyn 22 Comments

We’re still at home in Indianapolis until we fly back to Boston tomorrow night. So I’m seeing a few clients early this morning and tomorrow morning and then relaxing in the 80 degree sunshine with the fam. It’s been a really, really wonderful and relaxing weekend seeing family <3 I hope you had a restful weekend too and are settling back into the week!

Momma Coale’s Cooking

We grilled out for Mother’s Day yesterday and it was perfect. No matter how much my brother’s and I insist on helping my mom cook, the woman cannot completely step away from the kitchen. But then again, food always tastes better when she’s involved so it was a tag team effort. We baked ribs, made the cheesiest and most delicious mac and cheese, a spinach strawberry feta salad and sautéed asparagus and snap peas with lemon and parmesean cheese. And we had blueberry and apple pie for dessert. Food happiness. I could cook the exact same recipe as my mom, but her version will always taste better. Why is that?? I feel the same way when someone else makes a salad for me.

Intuitive Eating and Being in a Larger Body

I had a blog reader leave a really thoughtful comment on last Monday’s post about intuitive eating when you live in a larger body. She opened up a really good conversation on how there isn’t as much discussion around intuitive eating for women in larger bodies like there is around women in smaller bodies. First, she’s right. And I do want to contribute more to that conversation. I wrote a post a while back on intuitive eating when you’re in a larger body that I hope is a good start to this conversation. And I hope it sheds a lot of light on what the Health At Every Size and Intuitive Eating philosophies really mean. The principles of intuitive eating apply for anyone in any body size.

If you aren’t getting hunger and fullness cues, in the beginning of your journey, you have to first work on getting into a pattern with eating where you learn to eat rhythmic, balanced meals (meaning you include all the macronutrients in all your meals) so you can essentially wake back up your metabolism and digestive tract if it’s been slowed down for a while. Often, you have to lay the foundation of these basic eating skills so your body is adequately nourished before you can move on to other intuitive eating skills. That is for every person, no matter if you’re recovering from being very underweight or you’ve been living in a larger body. I know everyone living in a larger body doesn’t have a diet history or disordered relationship with food, but I do want to recognize that possiblity. Disordered eating and eating disorders don’t discriminate. I have worked with plenty of patients and clients in larger bodies who are starving themselves. So know that just because you live in a larger (or normal sized) body, that doesn’t exclude your body from the possibility of being undernourished.

Engaging in joyful movement also might look different from person to person depending on their desires, their body’s capabilities and their body size. That’s okay. That’s the beauty of HAES – exercise isn’t about following a certain set of rules or a laid out routine. It’s about finding movement that YOU enjoy and movement that enhances your health at that time. The types of movement you engage in can absolutely change as life circumstances change.

I think it’s important for me and anything else living in a culturally depicted “normal” sized body to recognize that me and you have thin privilege. And because of that, we don’t know what it’s like to be stigmatized and shamed because of our weight. With a lot of learning and self reflection I’ve come to realize that and I hope others can too. My heart completely empathizes with those of you who experience weight stigma and shame. Your journey with Health At Every Size (HAES) and intuitive eating (IE) will present more challenges than my journey because of our diet culture and fat phobic society and I hate that for you. What I do know is that I have devoted my career to the HAES mission and I’m continually advocating on your behalf.

Buffalo Sauce

Ever since I picked up a bottle of buffalo sauce to make buffalo chicken in our Instant Pot last week, I’ve been pouring it on almost everything. We eat a lot of Frank’s Red Hot and Cholula (more Frank’s because why is Cholula so $$?) but I now have a new favorite condiment. I’ve had buffalo sauce often in the past (hello buffalo chicken dip you are a dream) but I think I forget how much better it tastes to me than hot sauce. I don’t know what it is, but I’m into it. I made cheesy egg toast for breakfast a few times last week with buffalo sauce drizzled on top and it satisfied all my savory breakfast tastebuds. All I did was toast the bread, scrambled a couple eggs, then top with sharp cheddar and but the toast under the broiler for a few minutes until melty. Then drizzle on as much buffalo sauce as your heart desires.

Homemade Cold Brew

I’m talked about food a lot in these five thoughts, but that seems fitting. I’ve never made homemade cold brew before, but after being in Florida back in March and seeing my friend’s brother make it so easily, Nick and I decided this is going to be the summer we start making our own. The best part is, you actually don’t need to use super high quality beans to make high quality cold brew and cold brew experts (is that a thing?) actually suggest you save your really good beans for hot coffee. Nick got me this cold brew maker for my birthday and so far, it’s working out quite well. Highly recommend if you’re an iced coffee fan and you want to save a lot of dollas by not buying cold brew all summer long.

Goals for this Week

Each week I write down three goals for the week. Nothing is hard and fast, I’m trying to be gentler with myself and remember that it’s okay if somehow I got over ambitious and all three don’t get done. But having those three things at the front of my mind for the week, does help focus my time when I’m not seeing clients are doing blog writing. This week I’m hoping to record the first half of a new mini course I’m releasing soon on bridging the gap between medical diagnoses and the Health At Every Size/Intuitive Eating philosophies. I’m also hoping to do 5 hours of set aside time for learning/research. And lastly, I’m hoping to submit a speaking proposal. I tend to get overwhelmed and stressed with more defined goal setting than this (I know a lot of people would disagree, but that’s me) so if you do too, know that I’m with you.

What are a few things you want to accomplish this week?

Happy Monday!


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

  • 5 Thoughts5 Thoughts
  • Weekend Recap [Dinner Parties and Red Wine]Weekend Recap [Dinner Parties and Red Wine]
  • Breezy Weekend in Fort Tyron ParkBreezy Weekend in Fort Tyron Park
  • Marathon Weekend RecapMarathon Weekend Recap

Filed Under: Favorite Things, Intuitive Eating, Weekend

« Things Worth Reading & Doing
What Being Injured Taught Me About Food and My Body »

Comments

  1. Allison says

    May 14, 2018 at 8:59 am

    I really like these posts! And I love the idea of setting 3 goals for the week. I usually just have a crazy to do list in my head and a million reminders on my google calendar but I feel like narrowing it down would help me feel less crazy.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:33 pm

      It’s been so helpful for me 🙂

      Reply
    • James G. Tremper says

      November 26, 2019 at 4:18 am

      Dear, I’ve no doubts you’ve done some research while writing on GOALS FOR THIS WEEK. I would expect more of this in your next write-ups, so I could get help from your information to create some content for our followers and the website 2giaynu.

      Reply
  2. Jen says

    May 14, 2018 at 10:28 am

    Love the 3 goals idea!! I read someone said to write down 3 things each day that you did well so that will be one of my goals for the week (:. I’m a perfectionist always working to “do better” so changing focus from “what could I do better” to “what did I do right” is such a happier way to live (:

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:32 pm

      Love this input Jen!

      Reply
  3. Janelle says

    May 14, 2018 at 10:52 am

    I really enjoyed your post about ie in a bigger body . I am in a big body and don’t feel comfortable at all. I do want to lose weight but am refusing to go on a diet . Im trying to follow the principles of ie it’s hard . And even more hard to accept my body the way it is right now . But it’s a work in progress!! I couldn’t never go back to my dieting days the thought depresses me .

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:32 pm

      Janelle it IS HARD. Especially when usually diets do work in the short term, so it’s enticing but they always backfire
      Rooting for you in this journey that is so worth it!

      Reply
  4. Amber @ Bloom Nutrition Therapy says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:07 pm

    I think what you’ve said here about IE and being in a larger body speaks to it so well. So many times we assume because someone is in a larger body that they’re not taking care of their health, when in fact, they may be doing just that, as well as active and in better physical condition than a “normal” body. Just the opposite, starvation can occur in ANY shape of body. We must remember that starving yourself is a long, slow process. For many, if they’re already in a larger body the outward effects of starvation could take much longer to notice or show up when focusing on weight loss. That said, there are LOTS of other consequences that come with starvation even in those in larger bodies. The Biggest Loser study I think was one of the most influential at noting that the rigorous routine those individuals were put in was clearly detrimental to their body. However, because they were in larger bodies to begin with, the world congratulated and encouraged them in keeping up with the dangerous routine.

    Sidenote: I NEED that cold brewer!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks for your comment Amber!

      Reply
  5. Alisha says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    What’s your “recipe” for cold brew? Do you have a ratio of water to beans you prefer? My summer goal is to perfect my cold brew.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      here you are!
      https://www.kitchentreaty.com/how-to-make-cold-brewed-iced-coffee-concentrate/

      Reply
  6. Maureen says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    Thanks for sharing Robyn! Pro tip: a french press can double as a cold brew coffee maker too! Just put the water and coffee in the night before and set it in the fridge overnight. Hope it helps anyone who didn’t already know 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      had no idea!! Can you make concentrate with it??

      Reply
  7. Celia says

    May 14, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    Looking forward to your mini course about incorporating I.E. and HAES with medical diagnoses. I am a dietitian at a hospital working with inpatients and outpatients and I think this would be really helpful!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:26 pm

      I think you’ll find it helpful!!

      Reply
  8. Julianne Oliver says

    May 14, 2018 at 8:09 pm

    Mmmmm that toast! I’m hoping to keep making progress on my medical school app (submitting this month eek!) I also loved reading the labs post. The information you offer is so rich and accessible. I definitely hope to share easily accessible, but high quality, content like this one day!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      So glad you found it helpful Julianne!

      Reply
  9. Emily Swanson says

    May 14, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    What you said. I so appreciate this. It seems like our culture has made one size of body the ‘normal’ instead of allowing for EVERY single size and for health to be at different sizes. And your Momma Coale’s cooking looks as YUMMY as your cooking: I see where you get your knack for yummy cooking from! I haven’t had buffalo sauce in so long, but I do love the buffalo flavors.

    Reply
  10. Sarah Johannesen says

    May 14, 2018 at 9:17 pm

    Love your wise words!! Thin privilege has been on my heart recently, and it breaks my heart that our society is that way BUT I am with you in joining to fight for EVERY woman at EVERY size! 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      love your passion!

      Reply
  11. dixya @food, pleasure, and health says

    May 15, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    homemade cold brew is the bombdotcom.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      May 16, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      🙂

      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