Start Fueling Better Program Frequently Asked Questions
This program can definitely help someone with an eating disorder. Especially those that struggle with overeating and binges.
To appropriately treat an eating disorder, I recommend at the very least that a person meets with both a therapist and a registered dietitian on a regular basis.
If you're wanting assistance with an eating disorder, and at the same time are interested in joining my coaching program, please reach out to me by going to startfuelingbetter.com/contact.
Write me there and let me know why you're reaching out. We'll go from there.
1:1 appointments within the program are typically 55 minutes.
It is often my recommendation initially to meet every week or every other week. We would eventually taper that down, but it depends when. Maybe as early as about 1 month into working together, but it may also be a few months after working together. Eventually we would only meet 1 time per month, and likely continue to decrease frequency from there.
We adjust based on what makes sense, and at the end of the day, you have a say. I'm here to support you, not to boss you around.
Everyone is welcome on the calls. Scheduling may not work for everyone, so they will be recorded and shared afterward.
There will be information, coaching and Q&A. If you'd like to be anonymous you can submit questions ahead of time privately, choose not to turn on your camera, create a "fake" name, and so on.
You will have access to everything (recorded content, Q&A, coaching calls, group interaction and accountability) as long as you're in the program. The initial length of the program is 16 weeks. You can continue on past the 16 weeks.
Write me in our private chat conversation, ask me in a live session or send me an email.
Short answer, yes.
If you're looking to work with a registered dietitian online, we can definitely offer services to you if you live within the United States in the states of South Carolina, Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, California, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, New York, Connecticut or New Jersey.
If you live in a state not listed above, it is possible we may still be able to work together. Please reach out and let me know what state you live in. Then we can discuss potential options from there.
If you're looking for the traditional, very specific, every meal and snack exactly what you're eating day in and day out - not really.
I'm here to guide, assist and help come up with food options and ideas based on your preferences and situation. We can also talk about planning and prep, and can get pretty specific if that's helpful to you. (Avoiding rigidity and rules that lead to guilt though.)
Additionally, there is a meal planning/meal idea resource within the program.
However, the typical "meal plans" historically don't teach you how to eat and people don't stick with them for a variety of reasons.
I feel strongly that it's my job to help you understand how to fuel yourself and how to "build" snacks and meals, so that you can come up with food ideas, and be your own resource whenever you need it - even years after working together.
My general availability for 1:1 appointments is Monday-Thursday, with some morning and afternoon slots.
If this doesn't work for your schedule, contact me. We can talk about it, and see if we can make something work.
Yes. If you're in the program during the week around Christmas, or the first week of the next year, you'll basically be given an additional week of the program for each of those. (Meaning up to 2 additional weeks in the program.)
Appointments may be offered during those weeks, as we typically aren't taking the whole time off. However, we understand you may want/need those two weeks off.
Bottom line, you will get what you paid for.
To be completely transparent, everyone gets a little over 16 weeks regardless of the dates they are in the program. This is to account for life, 3 day holiday weekends, etc.
Aspects of the program likely are. Since individual plans vary you'll have to contact your insurance company. You can get more information about using your insurance by going to: startfuelingbetter.com/insurance.
We're also able to provide you with a superbill if your insurance company states it is needed in order for you to receive compensation from them.
This varies, and can be a number of things. Some of the things it may include: education (around food and other topics), discussing challenges/barriers you may be experiencing, how to fit things into your life, how to make what we're discussing sustainable, quick meals and snacks, body image, energy, mood, sleep, stress, hydration, movement/physical activity, digestive concerns.
I like to let you take the lead (as long as you want to) and go where you want to go. I am there to help guide the conversation based on what you're looking to achieve, and provide feedback when appropriate. If you're not sure what you want to talk about, I'll always be prepared with my own ideas of what we can talk about.
This program is a hybrid program. There are 1:1 and group elements. (Group elements are optional, and you can stay anonymous.)
Program includes:
- Recorded content
- Weekly coaching
- Weekly Q&A sessions
- 1:1 sessions (number depends on which level you choose)
- Peer to peer group discussion
- Private community
- Resources and handouts
- Accountability
- Access to a highly trained nutrition professional, who is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition & Wellness Coach
*You're welcome to stay anonymous throughout the program
Weight changes may or may not occur as a result of working together. Our focus is on developing health-promoting behaviors that help you feel your best, and are sustainable and realistic. Our approach is centered around improving your relationship with food, body and movement. Pursuing weight loss is not a primary goal.
Note: If you've tried losing weight in the past or are currently trying to lose weight and you're here now considering this program - think about this - has any weight loss program you've done thus far worked long term for you? I'm guessing no. That's why you're here now considering this program.
Keep focusing on weight loss and keep spinning your wheels. You've got to change your focus.
This program is about long term results. About decreasing stress around food. About providing you with tools that work. About making nutritious eating easier and more realistic for your life. About getting you feeling better inside and out. And living a happier life. This stuff has to come first.
There are no refunds offered on products or services.
In this program you definitely get what you put in. This is a commitment you are making to yourself, your health, and your happiness.
I show up for you with my education, experience, and resources that enable you to achieve your goals.
If you have any issues or concerns, please reach out to me. That's why you have me and that's what I'm here for. I genuinely want you to succeed. We will work together to get you through whatever issues you are having.
You can expect to become competent and confident when it comes to food and nutrition. You'll know what to eat, and when to eat it. You will also understand nutrition, and how to feel better physically, mentally and emotionally. Increased energy and decreased stress.
All registered dietitians can be called nutritionists, but not all nutritionists can be called registered dietitians.
To be a registered dietitian/registered dietitian nutritionist you must meet specific requirements. This includes a bachelors degree in a specific area, a supervised internship, passing a national board exam, earning continuing education credits as long as you practice, and maintaining the RD/RDN credential.
Nutritionists (and coaches) often don't have specific education requirements they must meet or maintain. Sometimes no education is required to go by the title "nutritionist" or "coach" in order to work with clients.
It varies. Typically, at least 3 or 4 months, but usually longer than that. It's not uncommon to meet (the frequency of appointments varies) for 1+ years. You are involved in these types of decisions, and we can check in about it.
This is different in a number of ways.
Here are a few:
- Sustainability
- So many approaches aren't sustainable.
- Often times people can make them work for a period of time, but they're very hard to stick with longer term.
- How this is different
- We're going to figure out together how to fit things into your life. Not the other way around...forcing you and your life to fit into rules and rigidity that simply don't work long term.
- So many approaches aren't sustainable.
- "Gentler" approach (speaking of rules and rigidity)
- So many approaches are rigid and filled with rules.
- They're not realistic.
- They're hard to apply to various scenarios you may encounter (like going out to eat or eating at someone else's house).
- They're often unnecessary, they're fads, and/or lack legitimacy when it comes to your actual health and needs.
- How this is different
- We're using nutrition science, thinking about your actual health (physical, emotional, mental) and what works for you and your life.
- You're going to learn "the basics" (and more if you want) of what to get into your meals and snacks. (There aren't a bunch of stupid, difficult rules, and you don't have to stop eating your favorite foods.) You'll understand how to better fuel yourself, and you can apply it to various scenarios (at home or away).
- We're going to go more "internal" as opposed to "external" and taking cues and clues from your body about your needs.
- So many approaches are rigid and filled with rules.
- Support and education
- Many approaches you are alone, or maybe you have a "coach" sometimes.
- Doing things alone can present a lot of challenges, and leave you with questions.
- A lot of times "coaches" don't necessarily have much experience or education, if any.
- Often times you aren't actually taught about nutrition. You're given some very specific rules to follow, but not given much additional context or information.
- How this is different
- You have me, and you're going to be given education.
- You aren't on your own. If you join the Start Fueling Better Program, you have multiple ways to communicate with me, and I am involved as much as you want me to be.
- There aren't a million people in this program. You aren't a "number" or random face I don't know. It's important to me to actually know my clients, and help them progress. That's what we'll do.
- I'm here to help you implement the information into your life, hold your hand, listen, offer suggestions based on my years of experience, and provide accountability.
- I have a lot of education, and I'm pretty good at what I do. The client testimonials (many of which are included within this website) speak for themselves.
- Within the Start Fueling Better Program there are multiple opportunities to get a lot of knowledge, education and context in regard to nutrition and health related topics. The goal is that you understand and are able to apply information and concepts when needed. We're working me out of a job.
- Many approaches you are alone, or maybe you have a "coach" sometimes.