Due to some recent national TV appearances by people who call themselves nutritionists, which have included inaccurate, and down-right wrong information, a colleague went to work to collect videos from registered dietitians around the country who have done TV interviews. Since this was my last topic, I though I’d go ahead and share those interviews on my blog! But as I watched them, I also realized how educational they will be for those of you who watch them! As a consequence, I then did a little more research on my own, in order to add to the list.

So, do spend time watching the particular topics that interest you, to not only learn something new (which we all try to do, right?), but to also take away tips to help improve your life, and also get a better sense of the role dietitians play in helping people learn how to apply the science of nutrition to your own life.

Now, I again want to point out that although there is no standard for someone calling themselves a nutritionist, before either accepting what they say OR ruling them out, do a little checking of your own. Did they graduate from an accredited university with a degree in nutrition, or did they just find a certification program? We are talking about your health, here, so don’t fall prey to someone who says you have to avoid this or that, because of their own mis-information and lack of education.

Curious about gluten-free? Check out http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/food_coach&id=6358243.

What about information on pregnancy? Check out http://www.abc15.com/content/living/yourhealth/story/Pregnant-5-health-nutrition-myths-busted/Wz8Sqx1qCUued8bTH6h3hw.cspx.

With the holidays just around the corner, check this one out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CybyhlV1OR4.

Have young children or picky kids? Watch this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjcu4nOXR5M.

Curious about fish oil supplements? Then you need to watch this one; http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/food_coach&id=6698760.

Curious about nutrition needs for teens? Watch this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sGoUk5E7c8.

Starting to wonder about Halloween candy? Here is a segment from last year to help; http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6118955

Good segment on eating to prevent cancer http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5620219.

Happy watching!

Margie

Do you know the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist? Chances are, unless you ARE one of either, you do not. But as a professional, you really should, especially if you decide you want the HELP from one!

I like to describe it this way: First, anyone can call themselves a ‘nutritionist’. It really has no meaning. Granted, people who call themselves nutritionists often claim that they focus on the physiology of nutrition where a registered dietitian just focuses on food or providing patients meals in a hospital.

Well, that makes me laugh, because before you can even QUALIFY to become an RD, one of the requirements is at least a bachelor’s degree.  So, would it even be possible that if someone were to get a bachelor’s degree in nutrition that the physiology of nutrition would NOT be covered? Quite often, in fact, a person who calls themselves a nutritionist may not have ANY education beyond a certification.  A certification can come from any type of program, from an online course to something more intense. But a certification cannot be accepted at face value without researching what is required.  However, saying you have a certification as a nutritionist would be like a physical therapist or a nurse or even a doctor practicing with just a certification, but people don’t really think in those terms, because we all eat!

So, I like to say that a registered dietitian is a nutritionist with the education and experience to help people learn how to apply information to their own lives. The difference, then, is further education.

This does not go to say that if a person did get their degree in nutrition and chose to NOT go the extra mile to become an RD isn’t as qualified! The difference between the two is the RD has much more experience, due to the 1,200 hours of practical internship, than the person who didn’t take it to the next level. And, if a person chose to teach, they would be just as qualified with their PhD in nutrition as the RD. This may also be the case if the person chooses to be involved in research.

So, when you read information about nutrition, ask yourself what qualifies that person to write. If you watch someone who calls themselves a ‘nutritionist’ on TV, ask yourself what really is the background of this person. Don’t take it at face value when someone tells you not to eat fruit for dessert or avoid all soy products. Do your research and find out just what the knowledge and education level is of that person who says such things. Just as you would do your research if you were looking for a surgeon, you should also do your research when listening to people telling you what to put into your body.

Jeff Bland says that we are a generation of human gineau pigs; we believe everything we say without questioning it. I feel that’s the case when someone tells me, “OH, I heard the lady on TV say we shouldn’t drink milk because it will kill us!”

Sigh. And the next experiment is on!

Margie

You’ve started your business and am excited to get things up and running. And you may even have a few new clients, so things are moving nicely!

But now you’re wondering what’s next! You hear all about the importance of marketing, but since you’re not a business specialist, you’re wondering just what the best marketing would be for you?

Well, the best marketing strategy will be whatever works!

Where do your clients hang out? What interests them? Who do they listen to, what do they read? What makes them tick? Once you figure out the answers to THESE questions, you can go where they are  and speak to them in a language they will understand, and address the issues that are important to them.

Sounds so simplistic, huh? But it really is that simple. Let’s give you an example:

Let’s say you want to help women lose weight. Where do they hang out? What websites do they visit, what blogs do they read and perhaps post on? Who are they following on Twitter? Get to know the answers to these questions. Then start posting and sharing, yourself. Write articles and submit to these websites, and even submit to various article-submission sites, such as ezinearticles.com.

Does this audience listen to other women, or do they search out health experts? Find this out and determine how to provide them with information in the form they want to see/read/hear it. Do not assume you KNOW without researching, first, though.

Finally, this is a very important point: IF your audience does NOT spend time online, don’t spend time online yourself, trying to find the FEW who are! Go where they are! Busy male executives tend to spend less time online for anything other than shopping or hobbies.  So it’s important to know where your clients are, so you can reach them.

What’s next for you is to grow your business, and by spending a little time researching who and where your clients are, you are increasing your chances for success.

To help you take your business to the next level, or even just get it off the ground, I invite you to come join us for the Just Jump into Business membership program! First month is free, so you have nothing to risk… except success!

Margie

What do you imagine? Are you living what you imagine doing? If not, how does that help you live your life?

I say this all the time, but life is WAY too short to not do the things we imagine doing.

I’ve shared that we will be moving out of state within the year. It’s time. Sure, it’s MUCH easier to stay put and ‘wait’. Wait until the economy is better. Wait until we could get a better price for our house. Wait until my mother is ready to move with us…. But I totally believe that the last thing we should do is put off what we want to do in our lives. I do NOT want to be looking back at my life and saying, “I wish I had…”.

Whether it’s your health or your career or a business, I can’t encourage you strongly enough to NOT put off what you imagine.

Dreams are easy. Moving into them can be a challenge. BUT, moving into dreams can also be the greatest expression of LIVING there is! Don’t let life pass you by. What is the worst that can happen if you move into living your dream??

Margie

Need help moving into that dream? If your dream is business, come join us in the Just Jump into Business coaching membership program. No risk, because the first month is FREE!

Many professionals are incredible at what they do! But some struggle with maintaining a healthy weight, which can lead them to feel less successful than they actually are.

Green Mountain at Fox Run is an incredible facility to help women learn how to live in peace with their bodies, and learn how to improve their health in a supportive, healthy way, rather than drastic dieting or guilt trips.

Green Mountain falls into the category of “adult weight loss camps”, but it’s much, much more. Here is the link to learn more about it: http://www.fitwoman.com/

So, I could write more, but I think my colleague Monika Woolsey does a much better job. To read what she has to say, click here

Even if you really don’t have a lot of weight to lose, but are looking for an experience of caring and self-discovery, Green Mountain is the place for you!

Margie