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thenourishedmaman

Bloated, gassy and miserable. How I conquered the bloat and gas. My final truth for 2019.

Recently, on social media I opened up about my truths. I wanted to show my followers that even though I am a nutritionist I am also human and I too, have faults and shortcomings. I am an evolving person that has a passion for wellness and living my best life. As we gear down for the last day of 2019 I thought I would share my story of how I got to where I am today and what lead me down this path. This is my story. I hope you enjoy it.


Growing up I was athletic, slim and never had to worry about what foods I put into my body. I was ‘lucky’ I guess, in that that weight was never an issue growing up.


Fast forward to my twenties and my weight began to consume me. I started to accumulate what I like to call the ‘pooch’. That round little flab of fat just under the belly button. Clothes just didn’t fit me the same anymore and I was forever looking for clothes that covered the 'pooch'. Thankfully, I had skinny legs so no one really ever knew that I was gaining weight unless, of course, they saw me naked.


So it began. I started working out like it was my job. I was obsessed with it. I went to the gym in between classes, before work and even at home but I didn’t change the way I ate. I ate what I wanted when I wanted and thought nothing of it. I figured I was going to the gym so the weight should just fall off! Well it didn’t. I mean it helped a bit but that all consuming ‘pooch’ was still there and wasn’t going anywhere.


At 24 I met my future husband. During this time I worked as a Manager in a busy restaurant. Being a manager in a restaurant you eat for free. Just imagine the foods I was consuming on a regular basis! Again, I didn’t see any problem with it because I was working long hours, running up and down stairs with heavy trays of food and drinks. Thankfully, all this running around helped me lose a bit of the ‘pooch’ but not all of it. It was always there - a nice little reminder everyday that I wasn’t where I wanted to be.


As I got closer to my 30’s I noticed a change in my digestion. It seemed that every time I ate food my pooch would get larger, and the only way I found relief was by unbuttoning my pants. And then came the gas and I was uncomfortable for the rest of the evening.


There was one night specifically, where my then boyfriend (and future husband) planned a romantic evening for our anniversary. It was a beautiful evening just the two of us that started with an Italian dinner at my favourite restaurant. I ordered gnocchi and enjoyed every bite but it wasn’t long after that felt my abdomen engulf so much that even my dress was uncomfortable. I tried my best to not show my pain and discomfort because the evening had just begun! Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned and I was in my pjs, lying horizontally on the couch instead of having a romantic evening with my man.


From that moment on, every time I ate, I was bloated and gassy. My only relief was just to unbutton my pants and fart like a dude (no offence guys but you let them rip sometimes and it can be quite offensive!) Every night I went to bed with heartburn and gas and bloating were now a normal part of my everyday. It was awful. This was my new normal. Something I lived with for years.


After many visits to the doctors and or the pharmacy to help alleviate my symptoms and no change I decided it was time to try something else.


Someone recommended I go see a naturopathic doctor. I made the appointment and met with her right away. First thing she did was test me for food intolerances, and then went through an entire health history. She even wanted to know what my stress was like at home and how I was coping! Wow, I thought. This is incredible care. No doctor has ever asked me these kinds of questions?! Then she proceeded to tell me that I was intolerant to gluten, dairy, and eggs. And if I wanted to feel better I had to cut them all out of my diet. ASAP. WTF?! Seriously?! Awesome. Now what?!

I was eating eggs every single day for breakfast! Dairy, ok cool, I guess I can find alternatives but, no cheese? Like - ever?! Then I started to put it all together and realized I can’t eat pizza anymore!!! I felt defeated, sad, angry, and lost. So many of the dishes I was accustomed to making had at least one of those ingredients in it.


My naturopath gave me my lists of foods to avoid and foods that were ok. She did her job. But now I was left to my own devices to try and figure out how to flip my lifestyle upside down so I could start feeling better. This was no fault of my naturopath, the food part wasn’t her specialty. Problem is, this is a MAJOR mind shift in how you see foods and walking out with a couple of lists just wasn’t going to cut it for me. So this is what I did... I followed her list for a couple of weeks, and was starting to feel better! It was one of the lamest diets I’ve ever had but it was working. Then the summer came and burgers were on the menu almost every weekend. And so I had a burger (with the bun), here and there. Then I would eat the cheese that was put out at a party, or eat eggs on the weekends. Slowly these foods didn’t just become foods I ate once and awhile, I was back to consuming them regularly. And guess what - I was back where I started!


My clothes weren’t fitting, I was overweight and unhappy. I had to do something. I couldn’t keep living this way. I needed to make changes ASAP. I couldn’t afford to buy new clothes but I was sooo uncomfortable in the clothes I was currently in!

At this point I was overwhelmed with so much information from differing health experts writing and talking about how we need to avoid gluten, that eating red meat is bad, and now we all need to eat plant based. Information is evolving and research is advancing so much that I just couldn’t keep up. One day avocados are good for you and the next, they are to be avoided (this isn’t actually true, avocados are a great healthy fat when consumed in moderation!).


Sadly, because I was so overwhelmed by the information I was reaching for quick fixes like no carb diets, and diet pills. I even inquired about buying the diet pills that were associated with Dr. Oz’s name. They were a total hoax, but I was determined to do something about my weight. I was DESPERATE!


After I had my first child, sitting at home with even more weight to have to worry about losing, I started to become a lot more interested in a holistic and natural remedy lifestyle. I started buying natural products, and giving my child homeopathic remedies before conventional medicine. The interest grew and the urge to do something different with my life became very apparent. After my second child I knew this was the path I needed to take. The timing worked out and I signed myself up at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. It was LIFE changing. I’ve implemented everything I have learned over the past three years I have lost the pooch I’ve been carrying around for the past 20 years. I sleep better and have more energy than I know what to do with most days! Even though I eat a whole, nutrient dense diet 80% of the time the other 20% I give myself the liberty to have french fries, or pizza (yes I can enjoy a pizza once and awhile!) with my family, without guilt. I also have wine and chocolate. Finding a balance between eating a clean diet and indulging once and awhile takes time and some adjustments but once achieved it is SO liberating!


I went to school to become a nutritionist initially for my own knowledge and walked out of there with a mission to simplify the information in the health and wellness world, while providing my clients with education and tools that they can take with them and use for a lifetime. I realize not everyone has the time or the resources to drop what they are doing to learn about nutrition. I was in a space where that made sense and I am very grateful that my path has led me to where I am, and now it is my duty to pass on this information to you.


I believe that living a nutritious and healthy lifestyle shouldn’t be complicated or restrictive. It should be about balance and abundance of rich, healthy delicious foods. Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight it is a lifelong commitment to your health.


That is why I decided it was time for me to create a program for anyone out there like me struggling with their weight but feeling very overwhelmed by the information out there. I created a program to cut out the bullshit and provide you with education, tools and confidence to incorporate small changes daily that end up having a large effect in the long term. The Nourished Method is a step-by-step guide to eating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here is what you can expect:


  • A guide on what foods to eat and which to avoid and WHY you should eat them or avoid them.

  • You will eat real food but also have space for wine, chocolate and bread! No calorie counting or tracking you will choose whole foods first and stop worrying about how many calories each food amounts to.

  • No more guessing and wondering if you are doing the right thing or following the right trend. This isn’t a diet or a trend. You will receive REAL ADVICE and knowledge that is sustainable for a lifetime. NO BS.

  • No more spending money on diet pills, and weight loss programs, or trending diets and gimmicks. All the information you have been searching for can be found in the 12 week program.

  • You will have access to me weekly to ask questions and gain clarity on your wellness journey.

  • You will be supported by your peers through our private Facebook Group where you can ask questions, share stories and find encouragement and support when you need it most.


The Nourished Methods 12 steps will help you lose weight (maybe even the pooch!), have more energy during the day, be more patient with your kids (and/or husband) and sleep better than you’ve slept in years!


The Nourished Method is your all in one guide to living your best life. Here is what you will learn:


  • How blood sugar regulation is a key component to weight loss and how to take control of it.

  • How consuming good fats will help you lose fat.

  • The importance of high fibre carbohydrates and why you should be eating them.

  • How to set up your plate for success. What a macronutrient balanced plate looks like.

  • How quality sleep is affecting your weight loss goals. And what to do to get a good night's sleep.

  • Stress and its effects on weight gain. How to manage stress in your everyday life.

  • How to be prepared for life after the 12 weeks. What to do when you are at a restaurant or out with friends. How to read food labels at the grocery store and choose the best products for your family.

As a bonus you will receive over 30 easy to make and delicious recipes created by a holistic nutritionist. Each recipe is macronutrient balanced, easy to make, full of flavour and can accommodate any dietary restrictions.


I’ve come a very long way from the girl who ate everything, to then ate only some things to now eats all the food and has FINALLY lost the pooch!! Join me! You too can lose the pooch!


Let’s make 2020 the decade where you take control of your life and start feeling better and more confident in how to make a healthy lifestyle happen. You can email me directly at natasha@thenourishedmaman.com to book a discovery call and find out if you are a good fit for the program. I can also be reached on Facebook or Instagram @thenourishedmaman.


Program opens January 13th. Space is limited so make sure you get in touch soon!

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