about me
How It Began
Somewhere between the naiveté of my teenage years and early adulthood, I came across the realization that I could not, in fact, eat whatever I wanted. It was a rather startling discovery, and what soon followed were years of diet mistrials and self-destruction. (don’t worry, it ends well!)
I always considered myself relatively healthy: I grew up in a soda-free home eating whole grains and balanced meals, but my picky palate and insatiable sweet tooth were a force to be reckoned with. Plus, I was really skinny. So, I ate whatever I wanted. And not in a good way. In college I dined on such specialties as Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (the faithful blue box), quarts of fat-free frozen yogurt, and lunches of bagels and cheetos.
Then, in 2002, I started to become not skinny. I freaked out. My body began to change before my eyes. Something needs to change! I panicked. But what? But how? I didn’t know much about food and nutrition, but I did realize I didn’t have the healthiest of eating habits. It was time I held myself accountable for my food choices. Where to start?
I spent the next year digging into the baffling world of nutrition. Confused and overwhelmed, I read every article I could find on the topic—but what was best for me? Who could I believe? Where would I begin, and would it be painful? I did what I thought was right, what the collective “experts” suggested one should do. In addition to calculated consumption (mainly “diet” foods), I ran a mile every morning, practiced Pilates, and swam thousands of miles a day. I was probably a little bit obsessed.
It wasn’t long until I broke down. Physically. Emotionally. I was diagnosed with depression. And an eating disorder. I felt terrible. It took some time, but I eventually began to change the way I thought about food and what being healthy meant. To let go of the idea that green peas needed to be measured out, and that a canned protein drink was a suitable meal (they’re not). I started to eat real food. And for the first time in a long while, I truly enjoyed it. And it felt good.
Changes I’ve Made
Fast-forward to the fall of 2008: another big change. I decided to step up my commitment to walking the walk, as well as talking the talk (an ambassador of health!). I wanted to share my experiences and help others. I enrolled at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and set the wheels in motion. Soon after I was able to leave my job in advertising, which had left me feeling stressed out, unfulfilled, and frazzled. Far from the healthy state of balance I was craving.
I never looked back. My walk and my talk continue to grow stronger each day. And it shows. I learned to listen to my body–not control it. It’s a partnership. As I once declared: I will hold myself accountable for what I choose to eat! After all, you are what you eat.
Being healthy is not about forcing your body to fit a mold. It’s about understanding what’s best for you and living a lifestyle that reflects that. It’s about incorporating a balanced diet into your life—the right one for you. And it isn’t just about losing a few pounds: it’s about prevention, personal well-being, and balance. Because when we take care of our bodies, our bodies take care of us. It’s that simple.
Where I Am Now
Taking a stand for me and my body has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done for myself. The new me is confident, energized and truly healthy. I’m fortunate to be able to be able to share my experiences, knowledge and passion with others. Whether it’s a major diet overhaul or incorporating balancing lifestyle practices–I love helping others feel their best.
I don’t follow any particular diet, and I don’t count calories. My daily meals are made from fresh, whole foods that keep me energized and feeling great (no “diet” foods!). I love food, and I love the way I feel when I eat right. I exercise regularly and make sure I get plenty of rest. My priorities have shifted. I feel great. And it’s only getting better.
But what’s more, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle helped rid me of a few struggles I thought were a normal part of my daily life:
- Cravings. More specifically: sugar. I no longer crave sweets like I used to. I never knew I was addicted until I wasn’t.
- IBS. I thought it was normal to feel sluggish and irritable all the time. Abdominal pain and bloating was the norm. The gastroenterologist’s advice? Take Metamucil. No, thanks.
- Binge Eating. That terrible, uncontrollable sensation that comes on strong, and leaves you feeling used, angry and upset with no one but yourself. This was me at my worst.
- Cavities. We’ve all heard it a million times: sugar is bad for your teeth. And with all the packaged and processed food out there, chances are you’re getting a lot more sugar than you think you are.
- Skin. There’s no product line out there that can help give your skin a healthy glow like a clean, healthy diet can.
And that’s only half of it. The old me—the controlling, obsessive, self-sabotaging me—doesn’t stand a chance against who I am today. It didn’t always feel that way, but if I can do it, so can you.
Alexandra Bricker is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which is the only nutrition school integrating all the different dietary theories—combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts like the USDA food pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone and raw foods. She is also a life member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
