"We are our own worst enemies.” - Rachel Lavin“You also need to trust your body that it knows when to eat, when you're hungry, when you're full, when a food does or does not agree with you, your body will tell you.” - Rachel Lavin Episode Summary:In this enlightening conversation, Rachel Lavin shares her journey of overcoming body image struggles and the societal pressures surrounding food and nutrition. She discusses her book, “The Doughnut Diaries”, which reflects her relationship with food and self-acceptance. Rachel emphasizes the importance of trusting our bodies, understanding hunger signals, and moving away from diet myths. The discussion also touches on navigating holiday eating with a focus on gratitude and self-care, encouraging listeners to enjoy food without guilt. About Rachel Lavin:Rachel Lavin is a Published Author of “The Doughnut Diaries”, Professional Speaker and Body Love Educator, Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Health Coach. She grew up in Northern California and has lived in Hawaii, Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon and New York City. She currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her Partner.In 2000 Rachel began her career as an ACE certified group fitness instructor teaching a plethora of classes such as Aqua Aerobics, Bootcamp, Jazzercise, Dance Aerobics, Stretch and Chair classes. In 2007 she was certified as an ACE Personal Trainer working at big box gyms in NYC and becoming an independent trainer in 2012. Rachel wanted to take her passion for helping people to the next level and became an ACE certified Health Coach in 2018. Rachel graduated from Portland Community College in 2006 with an AAS degree her area of study was Fitness Technology.In 2020 Rachel wrote her first book "The Doughnut Diaries" about her own struggles with her weight and restrictive diets which lasted for over thirty years. As Rachel turned forty the expression I got sick and tired of being sick and tired hit home and she made a decision to take her power back and heal from decades of negative thinking and self sabotage. Rachel began to do the work on my mind, body and soul. Writing her book was her way of sharing my message to women and men alike that you are not alone! Now using her book Rachel wants to help people who have had or a still experiencing negative body image. By using what she now refers to as my three pillars of fitness; Nourishment for both the mind and body, Movement & Rest.Rachel’s mission is to create a safe space for all women to feel whole in their own body  In This Episode:

• Listen to your body. It is telling you what it needs.
• Food is a way to keep yourself healthy, don’t hate your food.
• Thinking of food as fuel not a diet.
• “The Doughnut Diaries” symbolizes freedom from food guilt.
• Trusting your body is essential for a healthy relationship with food.
• Diet myths continue to perpetuate negative body image.
• It’s never to late to start eating healthy.
• Having a bigger or smaller body does not determine your health level.
• We should not pre-judge people’s health based on their sized.
• Exercise should be enjoyable and part of self-care.
• Movement is vital for mental and physical well-being.
• How to navigate the holidays with gratitude and transform your perspective on food and eating for a positive, stress-free season.

 Get in Touch with Rachel Lavin:

• https://rachellavinwellness.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lavin-lifestyle-wellness-33707b17/
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/1945446943

 Get in Touch with Nancy O:

• https://nancyocares.com/
• https://n-o3.juiceplus.com/us/en
• https://youtube.com/@nancysurbantowerfarm
• https://www.facebook.com/inspirationsbynancy
• nancy@nancyocares.com

   Audio and show notes by Premier Podcast Promotions