Career/health advice from a dietitian? (long post)

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5/21/12 7:23 P

Hello! I am a Master's Student in Nutrition- if you are struggling in classes, I would suggest meeting after hours with a professor, or forming a study group to help go over the material- sometimes a discussion with other students can catalyze an understanding you would have struggled to develop on your own.

I would also suggest contacting student health services or a private counselor to help guide your emotional habits and your thought process concerning your body image and eating habits- you have the potential to be a wonderful Registered Dietician, one who relates to her client's struggles, but not until you become mentally and physically healthy yourself- it's hard to help others when you yourself are struggling.

If you have any other questions about my education process (or anything else!), feel free to contact me!

luckythirteenone.blogspot.com

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5/21/12 7:05 P

Hello Dietitian Becky,
thank you for taking the time to respond, i appreciate it. i didnt realize the chemistry was to weed out students. it makes sense though now that i think about it. its good to know you also didnt enjoy the classes. but that you still passed. i was worried i wouldnt be able to get through it because i dont like chemistry.

thank you about the information, i will try and speak to an adviser as soon as i can. i was feeling lost about whether i really wanted to be a dietitian, but whenever i try and think about any other career, it just doesnt feel right.

i believe my college does offer free counseling. i have never gone, im really shy, and feel embarrassed at the thought of speaking to someone face to face. but it might help to atleast try and speak to someone...

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5/21/12 6:59 P

PJJJSAGE:
up uptil a few months ago when i freaked on my dad, he would still constantly annoy me about me weight, mind you i am already an adult, and its none of his business. i was surprised how angry i was when i finally told him off. dont get me wrong, i love my father very much. but he has always been obsessed with my weight, and i see him criticizing my nieces too. i was glossing over when i said my dad just asked if i was over weight. he actually asked why i looked like a "bestia", which means a beast in spanish. he swears to this day that its not true, but i remember, and so does my mom.
thanks for the advice though, i was questioning whether this was something i wanted to do. but its the only thing i could picture myself doing with my life. nothing else feels right.

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5/21/12 6:32 P

Hi, I'm Becky the Registered Dietitian with Sparkpeople.
I saw your post and wanted to reach out.

1. To become a Registered Dietitian you must be enrolled in an approved program. Talk to the staff in the department, find out the specifics about classes, internship, work experience, volunteer work and the necessary grade point average. There are few dietitians who "actually enjoyed" all the chemistry. I certainly did not. It is part of the weeding-out process. Once I took my nutrition and foods classes...I knew I was where I belonged. For more on this profession, go to: www.eatright.org

2. I work with clients who have many eating issues deeply rooted from their past. I can help with many issues, some issues are "out of my area" and I refer them on to a specialist. I think a good counselor can be the first step to healing. Does your college offer this service???


SP Dietitian Becky

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5/21/12 5:51 P

Ahhhh....parents. My mother (and I love her) used to call me her "little heifer". Not exactly the most positive say to a chunky, somewhat clumsy child.

It takes courage to reach out. Sometimes the worst thing is feeling "alone" in your struggles, so anything that combats that is good.

I will agree with the other poster---if you're truly passionate about being a dietician, don't let it go. You'll be ahead in the long run doing something you love rather than being stuck in a job you hate.

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5/21/12 5:27 P

yes, my issues with my weight/self esteem have been with me since i was a child. probably from the time that i realized that i was overweight. i first noticed because of a comment from my dad. i overheard him asking my mom why she had allowed me to get so fat. i've lost weight many times before and gained it back. i'll be happy for awhile, but the negative thoughts will still come back. the ugly things i'll say to myself whenever i "mess up" me diet.

i know its important to just live a healthy life and not obsess. but i tend to go to the extreme. i either obsessively watch what i eat, or just give in and eat whatever i want. i know i should try to talk to someone but i just feel embarrassed talking to someone face to face.

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5/21/12 4:40 P

I'm not a dietician, so I can't offer any advice on that front.

That said, I wish I could give you a hug. Low self-esteem is such an insidious disease. It throws everything you are out of whack. You are so much more than a number on the scale or what you see in the mirror.

I think you need to find someone---a counselor/advisor, perhaps---to talk to. You can get a lot of support here, but it sounds like these are long term issues that need more than a messageboard reply.

"Health" is not about 2 hours in a gym and counting every calorie. Health is a series of small decisions that add up to a "better" you. Not "perfect", not "thin"---- "better today than yesterday". Even if that JUST means "I drank one less soda" or "I walked up a flight of stairs instead of taking the elevator". Then learn to give yourself credit for what you HAVE done (write it down) instead of focusing on what you haven't.

Good luck and God bless. ;)

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5/21/12 4:06 P

Hi!

I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling. I have also decided that I would like to become a dietitian so I can help others in their struggles. Unlike you, I have only completed my first class. :) Congratulations for getting your AA! If this is what you feel a passion for, don't let anyone or anything change your mind! Keep going to get your BA. I don't like the science part of it & I'm dreading the labs too but focus on the end goal.

I think because you are struggling and you've lost the weight before you are better able to empathize with people who are having a hard time eating the right things. We are all only human, regardless of what we're going to school for. KNOWING the information and applying it are two different things (as we have both found out). I have lost 50 lbs twice but also gained it all back about twice.

We can only continue to do the best we can every day - we need to be resiliant and keep persevering. That is how we're going to learn to help others who are finding it difficult to get healthy.

Feel free to send me a message if you'd like to talk more.

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5/21/12 3:16 P

I used to be a part of this website, and would try to get advice for weight loss. its been a few months though.

i have been wanting to be a dietitian and been working hard, and have gotten my AA, and am starting to get my degree at FIU. but i have been struggling. i hate the science classes the labs. i do well enough but i hate them. i also worry cause i have heard actually finding work as a dietitian is very difficult.

but thats not really my main concern. i have been struggling mentally/physically. since i myself have weight issues. i lost 100 lbs and gained most of it back. i feel this pressure to lose the weight for my career choice. but dread going back to counting calories and exercising 2 hours a day. i was so obsessed i wouldnt eat unless i knew the calories. when i started feeling tired of such a strict lifestyle.

i started doing cheat days and i developed overeating issues. i would eat until i was nauseous i would eat even if i didnt feel hungry or desire for the food. it was a really bad time this last time of regaining weight. i felt like i had to eat all the time. this was a really low time for me. i would go to bed with such pain in my stomach, and my heart. i am better now, i atleast eat until im full now. i dont eat until im sick anymore. but i am still eating unhealthy more than i should. i think i did damage to my body, during my overeating episodes i started getting horrible stomach pains. i later learned i had gallstones, a doctor suggested removing my gallbladder, but i cant afford to do it.


i have self esteem issues because of my weight. i always felt disgusted by my weight and felt worthless and ugly. i have problems respecting and caring about myself. i felt so bad i was decided to change majors. but there is nothing else i feel passion for. i was going to settle and just go for accounting or IT major. but something about being able to help others and myself lead a healthier life really attracts me. i feel so confused and am not sure what to do. i could really use some advice.