Confession time…I’m not a size 2.

paddle board

Yup – Fo Realz!

Jesus – I cannot believe I’m about to actually type this, buuuuuut – here goes…

There was a time I was afraid.  Well, I wasn’t actually afraid, I was freakin’ terrified.

You see everything I know about food, I learned on my own.  

All.of.it.  

I’m not a doctor or a nutritionist, or a chiropractor, or a naturopath or a chef, I’m just a mom whose kids were sick and no one could make them better (you can read the full details here).

I’m sure many of you have heard the quote:

“A mother of a sick child does better research than the FBI.”

It’s true – I did everything, read everything, watched every YouTube video, went to every doctor I could find (eastern, western and everything in between), met with anyone who knew anything about food and its affect on the body.

And then my mother-in-law got cancer and I went into full-on FBI mode again, only this time about how food affects cancer cell growth.

For years, my friends and family have been telling me that I should offer classes, become a health coach, start a blog, write a book – to be able to help more people because I had already helped so many of them.

And for years I resisted.  I “didn’t know anything” – I mean who was I to teach people?! I had no degree in anything related to health and wellness.

I have a sister who’s an MD and she spent the better part of ten years learning her trade!  I  couldn’t possibly know enough to teach other people…or could I?

I then decided I could do it if I got a few certifications because then I would be ready, official, “qualified,” if you will.  So, I got my raw food certification and then decided to get my health coaching certification, then I decided to take a course in how to run an online business, and many other smaller courses and seminars on belief, self-worth, health, wellness, and nutrition.

And, I was still afraid…

I mean I had my fancy, expensive pieces of paper, but now what?!  

Well, then my trusty friend fear turned into…

“Well, I can’t be a health coach because I’m not a size 2 and I like wine and chocolate and participating in food-centered social gatherings with my friends!”

Seriously?! The games we play with ourselves are CRAZY-TRAIN!

Meanwhile, this whole time I have been coaching people, constantly for the better part of nine years.  Nothing has changed except for the fact that I have an official website and my work is able to reach more people – to help more people.

Finally, I said enough is e-freakin-nough!

And you know what – this is exactly why I am doing what I am doing.

Do your inner work first so you can help others do theirs. Click To Tweet

I had to do all of my own inner work so that I could learn to help you do yours.

I have so many friends who are intimidated by the size 2, Pilates body, I-only-eat-kale, type of health coach, that they shy away and never get help – as I did for so many years.

So here I am in all my vulnerability, to tell you that I am a health coach, I am not a size two, I love a rockin’ kids & adults style party with lots of chaos and kids running everywhere and adults talking and eating a drinking and… I also like kale.

AND – this summer I hit my highest size (I don’t own a scale and haven’t in years) ever without being pregnant.

Am I thrilled about it – not really.  Am I completely freaked out telling myself hateful things and only eating salad, nope.

Why – because those extra lumps and bumps – they aren’t about hating myself, in fact they are the exact opposite.  They are evidence of an amazing summer.  Filled with lots of beach days and vacations and get togethers and camping trips and memories.  

They don’t represent “I have no willpower and I am a terrible human being”  they represent a great summer that went too fast.  

Which leads me to the picture… yup, that one at the top…

When I saw it, my first reaction was to hate it – be horrified and hide in the closet until I was back to my “normal” size.  

And then I paused…

This picture was taken by a great friend on one of the last days of summer. That night we met four other families at the beach, had dinner, played with the kids, ate, drank, watched the sun set and laughed – a lot.  And, I paddle boarded for the first time that night, which was something that I had wanted to do for the past two summers (but never took them time for myself to do it).

So,took a deep breath and looked at the picture again and decided to cherish it – I mean, why wouldn’t I?  There isn’t a single thing about it that isn’t an amazing memory of the only summer that my kids were 5, 8 & 10. 

The. only. one. ever.

So back to the beginning of the story – I am a health coach – and I know a lot – and I know it because I lived it and continue to on a daily basis.  And I am here to help women feel amazing – healthy and strong – and to know that they are worth it.

If this is something that interests you, head on over to my work with me page, and let’s get you loving your pictures too.

Back to question, who am I to be a health coach?  To help women become their happiest, healthiest self, so they can take the best care of themselves and their families?  

I’m Christina-freakin-Neuner!  A mama of three who has been there and come out the other side.  I’m not perfect – nor will I ever be.  I may be up or down  a few pounds here and there, but I’m ok with it and you should be too. And that’s what I’m here to teach you.

Because you are Mama-Freakin’-You! And we all should own it!

If not – if you want to just hang around and hear my oh-so-funny stories (ha, ha!) and learn a recipe or two, sign up for my email list to learn the latest and greatest that this memory-makin’ mama has to offer, I would be equally as honored. Because after all, mama-freakin’-you is pretty-freakin’-cool!

Wowza!  Nothing like sharing a bathing suit picture to the world to solidify that you mean business!  😉

Did this post inspire you, scare you or horrify you?  Lemme know in the comments below.  I love learning from other mamas!

XO,

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