The INFJ Dietitian

H ow would you fill in this sentence?   I was born to _____ .   I know what I would say but before I do, let me give you a little background. I have something called constitutional thinness .   I discovered it when I was doing research as a graduate student.   I have always been underweight.   When I was a toddler, the doctor told my mom to put cereal in a bottle for me to help me put on some pounds.   When I was in middle school, I got called down to the school nurse’s office and questioned about my weight and eating habits.   Looking back at my photos, I definitely looked anorexic. I started running in 6 th grade.   I wasn’t good at sports but I could run so I signed up for track and then cross country.   One season of high school cross country, instead of getting faster, I got slower.   My cross country coach told our team about iron-deficiency anemia and how it affects running.   I had a hunch I might be low in iron ...

O ur bodies do so much for us from digesting food, to solving complex problems, to getting us from here to there yet how often do we acknowledge the work they do for us?  How would you feel if you did all that work with no appreciation for your efforts?  Here are a few affirmations that I have used to help me reconnect with my body and give it the recognition and respect it deserves. I listen to my body. My body is important to me. I give my body what it needs. I am grateful for my body.   I love and respect my body. I treat my body with kindness. My body tells me what it needs. My body has limits.   I ask my body what it needs. I put my body’s needs first in my life. I am learning to spend more time with my body. My body’s needs are important. I respect my body’s limits. I take care of my body. My body is my friend.