FIRST STEPS
Preliminary Phone Call:
The purpose of this complimentary, 30-minute consultation is to touch on your health challenges and what you hope to accomplish by working with Boulder Nutritional Therapy. Most of our discussion will be an explanation about how my practice works, specifically the required food diary platform, rates, daily interactions, ongoing communication and nutritional philosophy. If our goals and strategies align, the next step would be to schedule an initial intake. If not, I may be able to refer you to a practitioner that would be a better fit.
Specialties:
This meeting is an in-depth, getting-to-know-you exercise and I ask that you set aside four hours for it. I certainly recognize the significant time commitment, and it’s possible that the call will be shorter, but I believe it’s important to allow our conversation to flow without interruption for as long as it takes.
We will definitely discuss the basics like weight, height, eating/exercise habits and what medications/supplements you take, but we will also go much deeper. This is a time for you to share about your family, your childhood and your education. I’d like to hear about the important people in your life and your relationships with them. I’m curious what spiritual path you follow, what your community looks like and how much time you spend in nature. I’m interested in your passions: What brings you joy? What stresses you out? What motivates you? If you’re comfortable talking about past traumas, that too can be a helpful insight.
Ultimately, I want to know what makes you you.
Over the course of the call, I want to learn as much as I can about you. By understanding on a deeper level who I’m working with, I can help to treat you as an individual. You are more than your weight or your health issues. You are a whole person with a rich life, and I will treat you with the respect and individualized attention that deserves.
What Comes Out Of It?
The outcome of the Initial Intake is your personalized nutritional protocol, a two-page document that specifies what to incorporate into your lifestyle and what to remove from it. As you can see in this EXAMPLE, I touch on some or all of the following:
- Diet (food, water, alcohol, caffeine and more)
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Supplements
- Recommendations for fellow practitioners (MDs, acupuncturists, massage therapists and others)
Each personalized protocol is just that: personalized. I take your individual needs and lifestyle into account to craft a regimen that will suit you. I won’t just provide advice; I will guide you through the process of how, where and what to change, specifying exact amounts and providing links to exact items. I never want there to be misunderstanding about expectations.
The protocol will push you, often quite a bit, but I will only challenge you to the point of what you’re capable of doing. And because we have daily check-ins, I am always available to answer questions, provide clarity if something doesn’t make sense and encourage you to achieve your better self.
WORKING TOGETHER:
How It Works
Changing something as complex as eating habits happens gradually. Using the MyFitnessPal app, I monitor your daily food intake and advise you on how to make small, sustainable changes. You never get more than 24 hours down the wrong nutritional path before I help you get back on track. With the food log, I can also spot when patterns arise after you eat specific foods (e.g., nausea or bloating), which helps us discover food sensitivities and apply that insight into your personalized nutrition plan.
Timeframe
How long the process takes is entirely up to you. On average, clients work with me for roughly 90 days, but that timeframe may speed up if you are diligent and put my recommendations into practice quickly. Other clients choose to work with me for years and/or for the duration of their illness. I’m happy to work with you for as long as you are making progress.
Implementing the Protocol
After our initial intake phone call, I will have a more complete picture of who you are as an individual, and I can make a few recommendations that you can implement immediately. I then begin researching your specific dietary and health needs. Within seven days, you will receive your nutritional protocol as an electronic document. While you’re waiting for your protocol, your job is to familiarize yourself with the MyFitnessPal app and to implement the initial recommendations that we discussed during our phone call (e.g., drinking more water).
Once you have your nutritional protocol, it’s important to print it out and read it thoroughly as many of your questions can be answered within the document. At this point, you’ll begin implementing your protocol. This includes ordering all recommended supplements and continuing to use MyFitnessPal daily. Our primary method of communication will be through the MyFitnessPal system where I will provide daily feedback on your entries and respond to your questions. You are always welcome to reach out to me via the app, email or phone, and I will respond in a timely manner.