Yesterday, I met with a cancer coach at the survivorship centre.
My stated goal was to improve my health and prognosis by eating well and exercising more consistently. I shouldn't have been surprised that I was matched with a nutritionist but I groaned inwardly when my coach filled me in on her background.
Two years ago, I met with a nutritionist weekly for nearly a year and I learned a few things but mostly I paid a lot of money to feel bad about myself. Someone else might have really liked the woman I worked with but I found her judgmental (for example, not only did she not drink alcohol, she could not understand anyone who did, even a little) and extreme (her idea of a treat was to have one square of very dark chocolate, once a week). Under her smug judgmental gaze, I felt like a complete failure.
The implicit message was that if you can't do it all, you might as well not try (that may not have been her message but it was how I felt). I stopped seeing her, feeling that I'd accomplished very little.
The cancer coach I met with yesterday was very moderate in her approach. She actually said, "everything in moderation, including moderation."
I think I love her.
After she'd told me about the centre and the programs available to me, we talked about food and eating and self-care for more than an hour. I left with information and a feeling happy and good about myself.
I see her again in two weeks.
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