Starting today, I will be healthier.
Starting next week, I will be healthier.
Next year, I will be healthier.
Someday, I will be healthier.
Being “healthier” is overwhelming. I am a physician, and sometimes even I don’t know where to start. There are too many starting lines to choose from, and research suggests that decision fatigue can actually prevent us from making healthy decisions!
Like with many things, one step at a time is a proven approach. Studies demonstrate that smaller, incremental changes lead to more sustainable health outcomes than dramatic lifestyle overhauls. I start working with my clients this way—in a systematic and personalized manner—focusing on six evidence-based pillars: sleep, exercise, nutrition, happiness, toxins, and stressors.
It is no surprise that maternal health behaviors significantly influence children’s long-term health outcomes, both prenatally and post. My goal is for individuals to understand their wellness needs so they can effectively care for themselves and their loved ones. When a new mom teaches her baby to eat nutrient-dense foods, she’s not just nurturing—she’s building neural pathways that will influence eating habits for decades to come. If she prioritizes her own wellness, science shows she positively impacts her relationships, mental health, and future generations.
This is my second career. I was a pediatrician for over 20 years, teaching at an academic center and working in private practice. Throughout this time, I studied integrative and holistic medicine, recognizing that conventional approaches often miss crucial aspects of overall wellbeing. Research consistently demonstrates that integrative approaches lead to better outcomes across various health metrics, from chronic disease management to stress reduction.
As I launch into my next endeavor, I invite you to join me on this journey. Whether you’re the Chief Family Officer of your household juggling school schedules and meal plans, or the President of your own life balancing executive meetings and self-care, your wellness matters and it is not always easy to figure out.
The health and wellness space is filled with conflicting information. I commit to separating evidence-based facts from trendy misconceptions, even when it’s inconvenient or challenges popular beliefs. For example, while intermittent fasting is widely promoted, research shows its benefits vary based on individual factors like gender and underlying medical conditions. And while there is plenty of research out there, sometimes there is not enough quality or quantity to draw simple conclusions. That is when I will rely on my relationships with specialists and my own clinical experiences to help guide you and me.
If you or someone you know is interested in personal health and wellness coaching that’s grounded in science yet practical for busy lives, please reach out. I am currently accepting a limited number of online clients.
References:
- Vohs KD, Baumeister RF, Schmeichel BJ, Twenge JM, Nelson NM, Tice DM. Making choices impairs subsequent self-control: a limited-resource account of decision making, self-regulation, and active initiative. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2008 May;94(5):883-98. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.94.5.883. PMID: 18444745.
- Gardner B, et al. “Making Health Habitual: The Psychology of ‘Habit-Formation’ and General Practice.” British Journal of General Practice, 2012.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. “The Impact of Maternal Health on Child Development.” Pediatrics, 2021.
- Trost SG, et al. “Physical Activity Parenting: A Systematic Review of Questionnaires and Their Associations with Child Activity Levels.” Obesity Reviews, 2019.
- Horrigan BJ, et al. “Integrative Medicine in America: How Integrative Medicine Is Being Practiced in Clinical Centers Across the United States.” Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 2018.
- Cienfuegos S, Corapi S, Gabel K, Ezpeleta M, Kalam F, Lin S, Pavlou V, Varady KA. Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Reproductive Hormone Levels in Females and Males: A Review of Human Trials. Nutrients. 2022 Jun 3;14(11):2343. doi: 10.3390/nu14112343. PMID: 35684143; PMCID: PMC9182756.
