Celebrating Registered Dietitian Day

As part of National Nutrition Month, I'm excited to share that today is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day!

When you have a nutrition question, where's the first place you go? Do you check the Internet, read a magazine or ask a friend? While you may find a quick answer to your question, it may not be the most accurate, useful or personalized response. Although many people have nutritional experience, a registered dietitian is your nations qualified food and nutrition experts. Do you need nutrition help? Find a RD who specializes in a field that can be of assistance to your personal health and/or performance goals.

As you may or may not know, the RD route wasn't originally in my career path. After obtaining a BA in exercise science and minor in psychology and then earning a MS in exercise physiology, I was focused on becoming a strength and conditioning coach. However, after getting involved in endurance sports, I wanted to learn more about nutrition and counsel athletes on daily and sport nutrition. I also knew that if I wanted to become an author, I needed the RD behind my name for credibility. I took the extra (long, expensive and difficult) step that many "nutrition experts" avoid taking - I went back to school for 3+ years to pursue an education in dietetics.

My life has changed in so many ways because of my RD credential. I constantly find myself challenged, driven and excited about my career in sport nutrition. In June, I will be celebrating nine years of having RD, LD/N behind my name, while also being one of the small group of dietitians who are board certified in sport nutrition. I am so honored to be recognized as a nutrition professional, among so many other extremely smart, passionate and dedicated dietitians.

Did you know that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of education, experience or background? But not every nutritionist is a dietitian. As you know, there are countless meal plans, books, articles, blogs, classes and seminars provided by nutrition experts who have no to little formal education on nutrition or simply hold a certification in nutrition.

Much of our public is confused and misled by the nutrition information and advice from nutrition experts, which ultimately devalues the qualifications and experience among RDs. Today is celebrating the many RD's out there who, by law, can legally provide nutritional counseling.

"Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to increase the awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and to recognize RDNs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day and National Nutrition Month® promote the Academy and RDNs to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically-based food and nutrition information" - Eatright.org

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day Key Messages developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have degrees in nutrition, dietetics, public health or a related field from well-respected, accredited colleges and universities, have completed an internship and passed a national examination.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists work throughout the community in hospitals, schools, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, food management, food industry, universities, research, media, professional sports, and private practice.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.

Looking for a Registered Dietitian?
When you need accurate, personalized, realistic and practical nutrition advice, it's highly recommended to use the services of a Registered Dietitian. If you are an athlete seeking daily and sport nutrition advice, pursue a RD who is a Board Certified Specialist in Sport Nutrition (CSSD credential).

To find a registered dietitian in your area, visit EatRight.org and click on “Find a Registered Dietitian.”

HAPPY RD DAY!
Don't forget to thank your favorite dietitian today.

If you are interested in reading about my educational journey up until 2016, here's a blog post for your reading enjoyment. And here is my RD Exam "race report". 

Happy RD Day!!

What a fantastic day to be a Registered Dietitian!

As part of National Nutrition Month, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, which happens to be today!

When you have a nutrition question, where's the first place you go? Do you check the Internet, read a magazine or ask a friend? While you may find a quick answer to your question, it may not be the most accurate, useful or personalized response. Although many people have nutritional experience, a registered dietitian is your nations qualified food and nutrition experts. Do you need nutrition help? Find a RD who specializes in a field that can be of assistance to your personal health and/or performance goals.

As you may or may not know, the RD route wasn't originally in my career path. After obtaining a BA in exercise science and minor in psychology and then earning a MS in exercise physiology, I was focused on becoming a strength and conditioning coach. However, after getting involved in endurance sports, I wanted to learn more about nutrition. I took the extra step that many nutrition experts fail to achieve - I went back to school to pursue an education in dietetics.

My life has changed in so many ways because of my RD credential. I constantly find myself challenged, driven and excited about my career in sport nutrition. In June I will be celebrating eight years of having RD, LD/N behind my name. I am so honored to be recognized as a nutrition professional, among many other qualified dietitians.

Did you know that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of education, experience or background? But not every nutritionist is a dietitian. As you know, there are countless meal plans, books, articles, blogs, classes and seminars provided by nutrition experts who have no to little formal education on nutrition or simply hold a certification in nutrition.

Much of our public is confused and misled by the nutrition information and advice from nutrition experts, which ultimately devalues the qualifications and experience among RDs. Today is celebrating the many RD's out there who, by law, can legally provide nutritional counseling. 

"Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to increase the awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and to recognize RDNs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day and National Nutrition Month^® promote the Academy and RDNs to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically-based food and nutrition information" - Eatright.org
 

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day Key Messages developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have degrees in nutrition, dietetics, public health or a related field from well-respected, accredited colleges and universities, have completed an internship and passed a national examination.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists work throughout the community in hospitals, schools, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, food management, food industry, universities, research, media, professional sports, and private practice.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.

Looking for a Registered Dietitian?
When you need accurate, personalized, realistic and practical nutrition advice, it's highly recommended to use the services of a Registered Dietitian. If you are an athlete seeking daily and sport nutrition advice, pursue a RD who is a Board Certified Specialist in Sport Nutrition (CSSD credential).

To find a registered dietitian in your area, visit EatRight.org and click on “Find a Registered Dietitian.”

HAPPY RD DAY!
Don't forget to thank your favorite RD today.  

Happy Registered Dietitian day!!!

HAPPY RD DAY!!
Today we celebrate the registered dietitians who are the nation's food and nutrition experts. RDN's are the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically-based food and nutrition information.

RD's are legally allowed to treat medical conditions. It is against the law for a nutrition expert or nutritionist to prescribe diets or supplements to diagnose or treat medical, health or clinical symptoms/conditions. In other words, if you are not a RD, it's unethical and against the law to prescribe a diet or style of eating to treat a condition. If a nutritionist/nutrition expert is not a RD, he/she is by law, not allowed to treat, prescribe, cure or diagnose health conditions. In some states, this includes providing meal plans or counseling.

As it relates to finding a nutrition "expert" to assist in your health, performance and/or body composition goals, make sure your nutrition expert has the RD (or RDN) credential behind his/her name. 

To learn a bit more about how and why I became a RD, check out this video where Joey and I answer questions about our RD journey: 

If you are in need of nutrition assistance, it can be a costly and time-consuming journey to find the right dietitian to be part of your nutrition journey. Here are my tips to help you narrow down your search so that you can find a good fit for your individual needs: 

1. Credentials - Today, anyone can claim to be a nutrition expert. Health coaches, bloggers, athletes, personal trainers, holistic practitioners, chiropractors and even most doctors are providing nutrition advice despite lacking the intensive education/schooling to provide realistic, ethical and practical advice. Look for the RD (Registered Dietitian) or RDN (or LD/N) credential behind the experts name to ensure that your nutrition expert is actually a nutrition expert.....by law. Furthermore, if you are an athlete, look for advanced credentialing such as CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sport Dietetics) and his/her specialty area (ex. ball sports, endurance sports, dance, kids, etc.) to demonstrate specialized experience, knowledge, skill and expertise in sport dietetics.
2. Experience - It goes without saying that you should be searching for an expert who has expert experience in the area that you need help with. If you are an athlete, your dietitian should be experienced in sports, not renal or pediatric clinical nutrition, as an example. A dietitian who specializes in cross fit, hockey or dance may lack the in-depth knowledge and experience to understand the needs of an endurance athlete. Just because someone is a RD, this doesn't mean that he/she can professionally counsel you. While she/he may have textbook or internet knowledge, make sure he/she is real life experience. Does your RD understand the demands of your sport and can he/she put her/himself into your shoes as it relates to the struggles/problems/concerns that you have?
   
   
3. Avoid black or white thinking - When you reach out to a nutrition expert, you should be able to ask questions as to the why's and what's for treatment. A compassionate and devoted RD should treat you like an individual, listen to your concerns, ask you questions, have time for your past history and should always give you options and different problem solving strategies as part of the counseling process. Rigid thinking means solutions are either one way or another - no in between. There are always exceptions to the rules because with nutrition, there should be no rules. Flexible thinking and a personalized approach is important in the counseling process as it relates to long-term success. Nutrition is not a quick fix. Don't expect immediate, rapid or dramatic changes with your health. If your nutrition expert promises that you will be an overnight success, be warned that something is too good to be true.
4. Philosophy - Since most nutrition professionals have some type of online presence, "follow" a dietitian to make sure you understand and believe in his/her nutrition methods and philosophy. Most of the time, the answer to questions #1,2 and 3 can be found online in a website, blog or on social media. Ask around for recommendations and referrals from athletes who have worked with your potential RD. Pay attention to contradictions in advice, extreme methods or affiliations to "sell" you a product. While many RD's partner with companies that they believe in, you should never feel a gimmick to buy supplements/products as a "cure" to your problems. Take some time to understand the set of beliefs and principles from your future RD to ensure your nutrition expert is passionate and practices what he/she preaches. Above all, a philosophy outlines the values that are important to that person/business. If you don't connect with his/her philosophy, there's a good chance that dietitian is not the right fit for you. 

RD's are trained professionals who specialize in nutrition. Sadly, there are many passionate but untrained/unqualified nutrition experts providing nutrition advice - advice that is often useless, expensive and sometimes dangerous. As with any type of professional help, it's important to find someone who is properly trained in a specific field and offers sensible, realistic, sound advice from a comprehensive educational program and not from a certificate. Lastly, don't choose your nutrition expert simply from his/her social media following/presence or a connection to a celebrity/professional athlete/coach.

With so many self-made experts, it's difficult to recognize who is trustworthy or not. Just because someone is a RD, this doesn't mean he/she is the right RD for your needs. Whenever anyone helps you with your nutrition, remind yourself that this person is helping you with your health. He or she can make you better....or worse.

How to choose the right RD for your needs

Today, it's easy to turn to the internet and social media for health advice - regardless of the reliability of the source.

I'm constantly amazed by the health-related questions that are asked on social media/forums and the responses given by followers. Questions about how many calories to eat to lose weight, the "best" sport nutrition to consume during workouts, what diet to follow in order to improve health and how to eliminate GI issues are among the most common questions that I see posted on forums/social media. Do you really trust advice from strangers? I sure hope not!

The internet is a great place to help you select the best professional for your needs - not for asking/seeking advice for a specific health related problem.

As it relates to finding a nutrition "expert" to assist in your health, performance and/or body composition goals, here are my suggestions to help you choose the right RD for your needs.

1. Credentials - Today, anyone can claim to be a nutrition expert. Health coaches, bloggers, athletes, personal trainers, holistic practitioners, chiropractors and even most doctors do not have the appropriate education/schooling to provide realistic and practical advice. Look for RD (Registered Dietitian) or RDN or LD/N to ensure that your nutrition expert is actually a nutrition expert.....by law. Furthermore, if you are an athlete, look for advanced credentialing such as CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sport Dietetics) to demonstrate specialized experience, knowledge, skill and expertise in sport dietetics.
   
2. Experience - It goes without saying that you should be searching for an expert who has expert experience in the area that you need help with. If you are an athlete, your dietitian should be experienced in sports, not renal or pediatric clinical nutrition, as an example. Just because someone is a RD, this doesn't mean that he/she can professionally counsel you. While she/he may have textbook or internet knowledge, make sure he/she is real life experience. Do your research to make sure your RD can actually help you with your needs.
   
   
3. Avoid black or white thinking - When you reach out to a nutrition expert, you should be able to ask questions as to the why's and what's for treatment. A compassionate and devoted RD should treat you like an individual, listening to your story and concerns and always considering options and different problem solving strategies. Rigid thinking means solutions are either one way or another - no in between. There are always exceptions to the rules because with nutrition, there should not be rules. Flexible thinking is important in the counseling process as it relates to long-term success.
   
4. Philosophy - Since most nutrition professionals have some type of online presence, "follow" a dietitian to make sure you understand and believe in his/her nutrition methods and philosophy. Ask around for recommendations and referrals from athletes who have worked with your potential RD. Pay attention to contradictions in advice, extreme methods or affiliations to "sell" you a product. Take some time to understand the set of beliefs and principles from your future RD to ensure your nutrition expert is passionate and practices what he/she preaches. Above all, a philosophy outlines the values that are important to that person/business. If you don't connect with his/her philosophy, there's a good chance that dietitian is not the right fit for you. 

Today, it seems like everyone is in need of health advice. That is why there are RD's - trained professionals who specialize in nutrition. Sadly, there are many untrained/unqualified nutrition experts providing nutrition advice that is often useless, expensive and sometimes dangerous. As with any professional, it's important to find someone who is properly trained and offers sensible, realistic, sound advice. Don't choose your nutrition expert from his/her social media following/presence or a promise that he/she can cure your issues by prescribing large doses of supplements.

With so many self-made experts, it's difficult to recognize who is trustworthy or not. Be mindful that nutrition is not a quick fix. Don't expect immediate, rapid or dramatic changes with your health. If your nutrition expert promises that you will be an overnight success, be warned that something is too good to be true.

Just like with any field, finding the right professional for your needs may take time. Just make sure you aren't spending your time googling for free advice when there is a trained and experienced professional that can help you answer your questions and give you appropriate advice that you can adhere to and above all, will not sabotage your health or performance. 

Happy National RD day!

3.5 years ago my passion turned into a career and I became a Registered Dietitian.

I am so happy that I took the time to go back to school after graduate school to further my knowledge and meet the requirements to be eligible to take the RD exam. 

Many people use the title nutritionist, nutrition expert or nutrition specialist but I am incredibly proud to be one of a select group of professionals who can be a nutrition expert and place "RD" behind our name.

My credential does not mean that I know everything. I am a Registered Dietitian that specializes in sport nutrition for endurance athletes. I follow a strict code of ethics and when I don't know something, I know that there are many other RD's who specialize in areas that I am not an expert in. 

Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of education, experience or background.  There are dozens of meal plans, books, articles, counseling sessions and tips provided by nutrition experts who have little formal education on nutrition but proclaim to be a nutrition expert.

Much of our public is confused and mislead by so much nutrition information and advice from these experts. Today is celebrating the many RD's out there who, by law, can analyze and assess a person's individual nutrition needs and provide nutritional counseling. 

There is a lot of great information out there on healthy eating given by individuals who are passionate about nutrition and there is nothing wrong with seeking tips from these individuals. You will many times see a disclaimer "I am not a RD" because this individual understands that she/he is providing nutrition tips, recipes, advice but is not counseling you or trying to treat your symptoms. Where the line is crossed is when you have symptoms that you need treated through a change in the diet, a clinical issue that you are concerned about or fitness goals that you want to reach through a change in diet or body composition. If you need dietary assistance, go and seek a RD who has met a rigorous set of standards to properly assess, diagnose and treat your situation. 

Who is a Registered Dietitian?
Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts, translating the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. The expertise, training and credentials that back a registered dietitian are vital for promoting positive lifestyle choices

Trust a Registered Dietitian
When you need food and nutrition information based on fact or need to know how a healthy diet improves health and fights disease— rely on qualified professionals in the field.
Registered dietitians draw on their experience to develop a personalized
nutrition plan for individuals of all ages. They are able to separate facts from fads and translate nutritional science into information you can use. A
registered dietitian can put you on the path to lowering weight, eating healthfully and reducing your risk of chronic disease.

RD=Expert
Registered dietitians know the science of nutrition. They have degrees in nutrition, dietetics, public health or a related field from well-respected, accredited colleges and universities. Anyone can call him/herself a nutrition expert but only RD's can use the title Dietitian. 

Looking for a Registered Dietitian?
When you need trusted, accurate, timely and practical nutrition advice, seek the services of a registered dietitian.
To find a registered dietitian in your area, visit EatRight.org and click on “Find a Registered Dietitian.”

Happy RD day!!!

Here are a few of my favorite blogs during my RD journey:

Breaking news - I passed!

RD exam report

No longer a dietetic intern

12 weeks to go!

At least I didn't serve tofu

Busy intern/IM athlete

Week 1

Ironman and dietetic internship

FDA conference - 1200 hours to go!

My road to becoming a dietitian.....Happy National RD Day!!!

When I was growing up, I always loved science.
As a student athlete through middle school until the end of college, I always loved being active with my body.
I suppose at a very young age, I was destined for a career that combined my love of science and the human body in motion. 

When I learned about biology in middle school, I thought a career as a marine biologist would be perfect for me because I loved animals.
When I learned about human anatomy in high school (1996-2000), I thought that medical school would be perfect for me because I loved the human body and helping people.
When I learned about human physiology during exercise in college at Transylvania University (2000-2004) while earning a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and a Minor in Psychology, I thought that strength and conditioning would be a perfect career for me because I loved helping a body get stronger in order to perform better.

When I learned about exercise physiology and sport nutrition in graduate school  at Florida Atlantic University (2004-2005) while earning a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life when I graduated. 

With negative money in my bank account and a spare room at my parents new home in New Port Richey Florida (after moving from my hometown of Lexington KY), I moved in with my parents to figure out what I would do with a few expensive pieces of paper that I could proudly hang on my wall in frames. 

Throughout graduate school, I inched my way into endurance sports. Well, more like jumped in feet first without any hesitation. I trained for my first marathon with my own designed marathon plan (coming from a history of running with my longest run being a 10K road race) over the course of 4 months and qualified for the Boston Marathon (3:38). I decided that the next step would be to do my first Half Ironman and Ironman within the same year as the Boston Marathon. 

I never considered a career as a professional triathlete but I really loved endurance sports.
I felt accomplished, disciplined, energetic and healthy despite the volume that I was putting out to prepare my body for so many endurance events within an 8-month time-span. 

Before completing the Boston Marathon, I applied for and received an internship at the World Triathlon Corporation which was (at that time) in Tarpon Springs, FL. I learned so much about the history of triathlons as well as what it takes to put-on an event and during my 6-month internship I was also introduced to Judy Molnar, VP of Iron Girl. 

I started writing for several sport-related websites, like Iron Girl and Beginner Triathlete and started to find my niche for being able to relate to triathletes and runners but also to understand the science behind training and fueling for endurance (or multi) sport events.
I can't believe it but one of my very first articles  (one of the very few that I was paid for starting out as I tried to get my words out) is still on the internet from 2007. - Eggs, Meat and Milk...whey too many proteins!

Through networking, credentials and certifications, I landed a spot in Triathlete Magazine, writing a column "Gatorade Athlete of the Month" where I would spotlight an athlete each month.
Throughout that time, I used my sport nutrition credential from the ISSN to start writing articles relating more toward sport nutrition, nutrient timing and fueling a body in motion. Fueling the engine was one of my first articles to write on this topic and not too much later, I had my first article in Triathlete Magazine on that same topic. I still have that article in a frame for it was my very first article in print (there's nothing like seeing your name in a magazine for the very first time). 

After accepting a position at a YMCA as the wellness coordinator, teaching spin classes, the occasional water aerobics class, personal training and training for my first Ironman, I met Karel who shared my first Ironman journey with me throughout the entire summer of 2006. 

As I was training for Ironman Florida, I found myself gravitating toward other like-minded individuals when it came to answering questions on training and sport nutrition but still continuing to enjoy my time at the YMCA, working with the average individual who is seeking health improvements through a more active lifestyle or weight loss (or both). 

After completing my first Ironman in 2006 and qualifying for the 2007 Ironman World Championships by winning the 18-24 age group by almost an hour (11:00:47), I was extremely excited by how my body performed as I coached myself through my first Ironman (training and fueling) so my immediate reaction was to start a new dream of becoming a professional triathlete.
After giving the thought some consideration, I realized that I needed to put my education to good use.
I started to give local talks to triathlon clubs on sport nutrition and on the side, I would also provide consultations with athletes on nutrition. As a personal trainer, I was always asked about nutrition so that part came naturally to help others as I worked in the YMCA. 

In Feb 2007, Trimarni.blogspot.com was born. Oddly, it was after the Miami Marathon (where I qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2005) and that was the only race I have never finished. 

2007 was a rough year. Not only did I begin my long-term history with hip issues (starting around 30 days before the 2007 IM World Championships but I felt like I was not living life to the fullest. There was too much focus on triathlon training and I was not helping enough people. It was too much "me-time" and I felt this burning desire that I needed to help others. 

So -it was back to school!

While I was in graduate school, I remember two specific things that I heard from others, when it came to figuring out what my life would bring in the next few years:
1) I would never be successful as a vegetarian in endurance sports (21 years later and 7x IM finishes - I think I proved a lot of people wrong)
2) I needed to have the R.D. credential behind my name in order to be successful with nutrition. 

I wasn't really sure what it would take to become a RD for I never had an interest in being a dietitian. I didn't want to work in food service or in a hospital. I only wanted to work with athletes, like myself, who wanted to fuel for sports in order to be fast in races. 

So, I applied for the University of Northern Colorado distance dietetic program in 2007 after recovering from Kona (which took months to be able to walk pain-free again after racing injured) as the first step and began pre-req courses locally in Clearwater/St. Pete since I had moved in with my boyfriend, Karel. 

I wasn't sure of a time frame as to when I would become a RD so I stayed as patient as possible for the next three years. And oh boy, was that extremely hard!

Becoming an RD was one of the most expensive, time-consuming and stressful experiences of my life. 

However, I would not have wanted it any other way. 

From 2008-2011, I blogged about various topics from Ironman racing, healthy eating, workouts and life. But in the midst of it all, I was overwhelmed with becoming a dietitian.

After receiving a verification statement from UNCO, my desire to become a RD shifted from "needing" the credential to be more successful as a writer/speaker to "earning" the credential to be more credible as a nutrition expert. 

As I was applying for internships, my passion grew in the field of nutrition and I finally felt like I was doing what I was meant to do in life.

Only one more step to go and I would become a RD!

 I realized that the dietetic internship process was a bit more complicated that I imagined. Not only complicated but extremely competitive. Realizing now that earning this RD credential is more than just paying for school to get a certificate. The RD credential does not get handed out like a nutrition certification after passing an exam.  

When I didn't get matched for my first round of dietetic internships I was extremely sad. So much of my life had been put on hold for the past few years as I worked so hard to get this last step crossed off the list in order to be eligible to sit for the RD national exam. 

On April 29th, 2011, my life had finally changed. 

After completing over 1200 hours of interning through the Marywood University distance dietetic internship program (thanks to second round matching the 2nd time I applied), I was finally eligible to take my RD exam. 

When I passed the RD exam in June, 2011, I was extremely happy and relieved but also still concerned as to how I would turn my passion of helping others with my background in nutrition, sport nutrition, dietetics and exercise physiology, into a career. 

The birth of my business, Trimarni coaching and nutrition, LLC, was not easy. I always wanted my own business for I felt like I wanted to provide services that I felt would best serve my population (not clients) of athletes and fitness enthusiasts.  

Logo designed by my friend and athlete (and AMAZING web designer) Doris S

It was a very long journey but I knew that becoming a RD would not only open doors to a fun career of writing and speaking on a national level but as a licensed dietitian who works part-time as a clinical RD, I would have never found myself feeling so fortunate to be so successful with a job that doesn't feel like work (don't get me wrong - we work hard and non-stop).

Since earning my RD credential, I have had the great honor to see my name in several national magazines which has been a dream come true:
Triathlete
Cosmo Girl
Shape
Runner's World
Women's Running
Bicycling
Men's Journal
Health
Women's Health

as well as reach out to my athlete-population in Ironman.com, LAVA online, Iron Girl and USA Triathlon.

I have also been able to Contribute to many articles online and speak at many local and out-of-state events. 

If you love nutrition and love helping people, consider making the time to earn your RD credential. Life is going to pass on by anyways, why not become a qualified and nationally recognized nutrition expert (meeting academic and professional requirements) who can "translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living". I would be happy to talk to any individual (or future RD/intern) about careers, the RD journey or anything else that I can do to encourage you to continue to pursue a RD credential. 

So, what's next for me?

Upcoming to-do's to advance my career:

-Earn my CSSD - Board certified specialist in sport dietetics - be eligible to work with Olympic athletes

-Write a book - focus on body image for athletes 

-Speak on a more national level - body image for athletes, healthy relationship with food/body, sport nutrition, nutrient timing, motivational talks on living a more balanced healthy and active lifestyle

-Enjoy the life that I worked so hard for as I continue to help others reach personal health, body composition fitness, nutrition and performance goals. 

-Continue to set goals for my active body 

-Speak and write more

-Travel more with Karel

-Expand my plant-strong culinary skills

To all my Trimarni followers and fans - THANK YOU for your continued support!!!

Happy National RD Day!

What a fantastic day to be a RD! Happy National Registered Dietitian Day!!! When you have a nutrition question, where's the first place you go? Do you check the Internet, a blog, or ask a friend? While you may find quick information that way, it may not be the most accurate or practical. Although many people have experience in an area which could make them an expert on a topic, never hesitate to turn to a trusted source: a registered dietitian. We went to school to earn our credentials, to better serve the public. Need nutrition help? Find a RD who specializes in a field that can be of assistance to your personal needs and goals.

As you may or may not know, the RD route wasn't always in my future plans. After obtaining a bachelor of arts degree in exercise science and minor in psychology and then earning a master of science in exercise physiology, I took that extra step that many people have considered "not needed" in order to provide nutritional advice to the public. I never thought I'd have so many open doors with my RD credential but then again, if I would not have dedicated three years of my life to this third career path, I would not have known how to even open those doors. 

My life has changed in so many ways because of my RD credential and I constantly find myself challenged, driven and open-minded in this field. In June I will be celebrating two years of having RD, LD/N behind my name and I am so honored to be recognized as a nutrition professional, among many other amazing dietitians.

Here are a few blogs that I did on my dietetic journey, specifically during the happier times:
RD EXAM RACE REPORT
BEST FEELING OF MY LIFE
NO LONGER A DIETETIC INTERN
12 WEEKS TO GO
DAY 1 of DIETETIC INTERNSHIP

MY TOP REASONS WHY I LOVE BEING A RD!
1) I get to help others reach personal health, body composition and performance goals and still feel like an individual. 

2) I am required to practice by an ethical code set forth by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and I am required to obtain 75 CEU's every 5 years to maintain my RD status so there is no slacking in continuing my education in the field.
3) I have access and opportunities to obtain great information in the field of clinical and sport nutrition.
4) I can never stop learning and I am always finding ways to learn more.
5) I get to meet people from all over the world and help others change lifestyle habits.
6) Everyday I am able to practice what I preach. 

7) Sticking to a personal philosophy is one of the most challenging things an RD can face thanks to social media so I constantly find myself learning how to be more open, understanding and compassionate to ensure the public that they are doing things in a healthy way when it comes to exercise and nutrition.
8) I am considered a professional and thus, I have a personal responsibility to the public to not overwhelm, confuse or mislead the public.
9) I am able to work with athletes, patients in the hospital, people of all ages and fitness enthusiasts and there is never a day that I don't love my "job" and what I can do for others.
10) My dreams have come true in being on TV, contributing to magazines, speaking publicly and owning my own business. Now I need to get on the book dream.....
11) I will always have job opportunities. 

A day that changed my life

I believe we all have moments in life that we feel are "life-changers". The special occasions of finding your true love, getting married, having children come to mind but then there are the moments where you land that big job that allows you to stop living paycheck to paycheck. Perhaps it was a trip abroad, breaking news from a family member or passing a big exam. I am sure many people reading this blog can relate to crossing their first multisport finish line or maybe learning a new skill. And sadly, there are the days when someone is given a diagnosis or bad news and everything in life seems to freeze at that moment in time.

What's so great about life is that we have so many opportunities for these life-changers. It's not necessary to look for these life-changers because if you are working hard or are in the right place at the right time, great things will come. As for the not-so-great life changers, hopefully your quality of life has never been compromised up until that point and you refuse to allow excuses to stop you from living the life YOU want to live.

  I contemplated about the title of this blog, feeling that "a day" is more appropriate than "the" day that changed my life.

So, what is the day that I am speaking about???

On June 21st, 2011 - I became a Registered Dietitian.

Three years of hard work, stress, anxiety, nerves, exams, projects, papers and books to read....not to mention many checks to Universities/Colleges in order to fulfill my goal of obtaining the RD credential.

Without the support of my friends, family, blog readers (yes - you all!) and of course, my loving and supportive husband, Karel, I don't know how I would have met all the requirements of being qualified legally, to provide nutrition information to the public, counsel individuals and treat medical conditions.

It would have been easy to take the easy way out and provide nutrition info without the credential. Spend the money on a downpayment for a house, buy a new car, travel the world or race more often.

But as we all know, life-changers often come with sacrifices and that, my friends, is what makes hard work so rewarding.

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Tomorrow is a very special day for me and very fitting that I will be working at Baptist medical center Beaches - solo. That's right - the whole hospital for me to see (well, not everyone but it will be a busy day for me).

Following my day of work (which of course, starts with an early morning bike-run workout), I will be heading to Clearwater for the International Society of Sports Nutrition annual conference. I am SO excited for this conference for a few reasons.

I have been a member of the ISSN since graduate school in 2004 and I always learn so much from this brilliant individuals. I am very excited to soak up as much info as I can for two packed days and of course, I can't wait to network and meet some of my favorite researchers.....with MS, RD behind my name.

Here's the program guide if you are interested in reading about the lectures that I will be attending on Friday and Saturday (as well as the bio's of the presenters).

If you have a bit more free time, I would love to share some of my favorite "RD" related posts with you for your viewing (or re-viewing). Thanks again for your support!

The day I passed the RD exam

RD exam "race" report

My last day of interning - finishing clinicals

The last month of interning

An emotionally tough day interning during my food service rotation

Although this is a day that changed MY life, I can not overlook the bigger picture that my decision to earn the RD credential was so I could help change the lives of others.

Recipes galore (Girls night in!) and dietetic award

Last week my amazingly awesome friend Laura had a few girls over for dinner. Laura is an amazing cook and she did not dissapoint. Laura and I both have dogs who are best friends so rather than paying each other for babysitting, we just "pay" each other with food. :)

Laura is not only a mom, wife, great friend and amazing cook but she also is a RD, triathlete/runner and individual living with lupus nephritis. Laura often blogs about her highs and lows with lupus along with posting some of her yummy creations on her website.

I am so excited to share these creations with you because they were soooo mouth-watering good. All fresh foods and no need for pulling food out of a box. Forget about reading food labels or trying to decide on the "healthiest" option.....we had an amazing evening with great food, strong and confident women and fun stories.......YUM!
(to see original recipes and credit for the creations, hold your mouse over the title of each recipe)


Tomato and Avocado with Boursin cheese

Spinach and strawberry salad w/ balsamic dressing

Graffiti Eggplant with White Bean and Basil lemon spread -(Laura used regular large Japanese eggplant (apparently the skinny one is considered Chinese eggplant) and sliced, placed it in zip loc bag with a tiny bit of salt and fresh lime juice. She left this in the fridge over night to take some of the bitterness away from the eggplant (the lemon juice keeps it from browning too much). Then she grilled it on both sides for about 3-4 minutes on a hot grill pan. Followed the recipe for the rest)

One Pot Kale and Quinoa Pilaf

White bean and basil lemon spread (from eggplant)

Dessert cups with fresh fruit, topped with real whipped cream

My plate (first helping :)  )

Campy waiting for food to (accidently) drop from plates.

In other news, the Jacksonville Dietetic Association had their annual May social at Urban Flats last Thursday. After an early-morning 45 minute run + campy mile, I had a really exciting day at Baptist Beach hospital. I typically see patients in med surg, the progressive care unit and any other unit besides the ICU but Susan (the other RD at the Beach who I was working with) let me work in the ICU. It is always a challenging situation for me to work with such complicated patients but in order to get better with my knowledge as a RD, I do enjoy the challenge.

There is never a day that I don't learn something as clinical RD!

I have to admit, working with athletes for coaching and nutrition also keeps me educated as I am always learning from my athletes or researching to better understand the physiology of the body during exercise.

Alongside catching up with other wonderful dietitians and future dietitians and enjoying some yummy food, I was absolutely surprised to receive the award for the 2011-2012 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year award.

This award means so much to me as I have really enjoyed changing lifestyles for the past year.  I have met so many amazing and inspiring individuals and I feel so grateful to have so many motivational people in my life.

Deciding to go back to school to earn my RD credential, back in 2007, was not an easy decision. With 6 prior years from 2000-2006 beind devoted to obtaining my Bachelor degree in exercise science (minor in psychology) and Master of science in Exercise Physiology, putting life on hold was not an option. Finding the right balance was the hard part...and believe me, it has not been an easy journey for me to find the right balance.

But with every day, comes a new challenge and new appreciation for life. I love that every morning, it is up to me to decide what I want to accomplish for the day.

I have learned that I have control over how I choose to live my life and I have also created a great toolset to help others reach their ultimate nutrition and fitness goals. Certainly, the learning never stops....good thing I just love to learn in order to help others!

With the end of June being the 1-year anniversary since receiving my RD credential, I can only think of the many sacrifices I have made in the past 4 years to giving everything I could to becoming the best RD I could be. Finding my voice as a RD AND as an Exercise Physiologist has be fun and challenging at times. Trying to find that right balance between nutrition and exercises is my passion and this award means so much to me.

Thank you to all the dietitians who voted for me and felt as if I was deserving of this award.

Also thanks to my blog readers for coming back to this site, in order to get inspired to live a more healthful lifestyle. 

Happy National Nutrition Month!

Doesn't this picture make you smile? If only we could all feel the same way about our body and diet. Ask yourself, when was the last time you felt confident, strong and proud about your lifestyle choices?


The theme for National Nutrition Month (NNM) is "Get your plate in Shape."

As a newly credentialed RD, I am so proud to be part of a fantastic community of registered dietitians as well as be part of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But take away my credentials and all that is left of me is a body that absolutely loves the life that I am choosing to live.
When it comes to National Nutrition Month, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Formerly known as American Dietetic Association) doesn't add a lot of complexity to the theme.





The pictures above remind me of an overall theme as to how we should be eating and living. Each picture is colorful, bold and simply beautifuly to look at. Food in it's real form, natural, wholesome and pure.

When it comes to nutrition/diet and the opinions of many, rules and guidelines over-complicate such a simple idea.

Take a moment and think about 15 people in your life. 5 of those people are training/fitness buddies, 5 people are family members and 5 people are friends and/or co-workers. Now, consider having all of your friends join you for a workout OR perhaps take your least or most fit friend/family member and join him/her for a workout. For when it comes to differing fitness levels, it's so easy to understand that we all differ in fitness ability yet we can all share similar lifestyles as to how we approach physical activity. For we all don't have to be Ironman athletes to be active. It doesn't matter if you are a basketball player, ballet dancer, gymnast, tennis player, snowboarder, runner, triathlete or cyclist - life presents countless outlets to be active, be involved in the community, to enjoy free drugs (thanks to endorphins), to achieve goals, overcome obstacles, be competitive and to test limits.

So when you consider that there are countless ways as to how one can approach physical activity, why is that so many people strive to do what others are doing when it comes to food, nutrition and/or diet? Because a body image doesn't always tell the true story, following the rules of a person who is screaming at you via internet blog posts, facebook posts and magazine articles is no way to help yourself discover your own individual strengths and weaknesses when it comes to your individual diet.

Get your plate in shape

When I read the 2012 NNM theme, I think POWER. As an athletic woman, there's nothing more invigorating than feeling powerful. For with power comes strength and a sense of confidence.

A balanced lifestyle that emphasizes whole food can be powerful. For with a varied diet, one increases the chance of being well nourished. With adequate nutrients in the body, one is more likely to live a quality life. Certainly, while diet and exercise make up a large part of improving the value of your days here on Earth, it is important to recognize that diet and exercise merely enhance how you spend your days here on Earth.

With thousands of tips and guidelines as to how you should be living your life, reflect on your daily choices and decide on a few key areas that will be the driving reasons that you choose to "get your plate in shape". Maybe you want to train for a half marathon, travel the world when you retire or simply control your diabetes or reduce your risk from cancer (or recurrence of cancer). To get you started on your journey, here's a good starting point:

1) Identify the strengths in your lifestyle that you feel are helping you reach your diet, exercise and lifestyle goals.
2) Identify the weaknesses in your lifestyle that you feel are helping you reach your diet, exercise and lifestyle goals.
3) Decide on a plan of action as to how you can modify a few of your individual "weaknesses" and work on this for the next week. Don't aim for perfection, aim for progress.


Perhaps as you start this journey, you may also want to identify your relationship with food, your exercise routine, your sleep and stress habits or your resources that have an influence as to how you choose to live your life.

Rather than targeting that small serving of ice cream or cereal that you choose to indulge in at the later hours of the evening or perhaps that mid morning snack of a granola bar, be honest with yourself as to what you feel are your personal limitors as to why your life is not in balance...or perhaps, the most realistic ways of getting your "plate in shape".

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

I would like to share my philosophy in how I live my life...
Step 1: Set a goal and don't be afraid of the journey or the length of time it takes to reach the goal
Step 2: Be prepared for the hard work, recognize/acknowledge your strengths and weakneses and accept the temporary sacrifices
Step 3: Believe in yourself. Do not give up!
Step 4: Celebrate your achievement
Step 5: Reflect
Step 6: Repeat (with a new goal)

I believe there is a big difference in wanting something and working hard for something. I saw a quote the other day that spoke very loud to me.
"When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it may be that they take better care of it there."
I think this quote relates very easily to those seeking body composition changes or performance gains but to me, I take away something different from this quote. It's easy to want something really bad in life because it looks so great when someone else has it. But it isn't until you start working hard for it, will you treuly realize that you are required to give no less effort to getting "it" than the next person. And for many of us, we often have to work 10x harder than the next person, just to receive the same results.
To truely understand the difference between wanting something and working hard for something, just think of a child (or teenager). It is incredibly easy to want, want and want everything that others have (both physically and materialistically). But when it comes to working hard for "it", one can quickly realize whether or not it is truely "worth it". If you want it bad enough, it is worth working hard for it.

Coming from an athlete's perspective, I think we would all agree that it takes a lot of hard work to reach our athletic goals. For without proper training, the body is not placed under the right types/forms of stimuli that is necessary for us to get stronger, faster and more powerful. Same with body composition changes...we all love our comfort zone and what makes us feel good. For it is the unknown that we fear. So while changing the diet may seem like hard work, if you truely want it bad enough, you will learn to appreciate the balanced and realistic changes that you are making in order to reach your ultimate goal. In more cases than not, those changes for the end goal become part of your lifestyle and never go away.

With both body training/exercise and nutritional goals, I think most people would put hard work and sacrifice in the same sentence. For if you are not making sacrifices you aren't working hard enough. Or the opposite, if you are working hard enough you will quickly recognize the sacrifices that you are making. But here lies the problem with so many people attempting to reach their goals. When it comes to achieving a goal, life shouldn't become mundane. Neglecting to give hard work to other important areas in your life, will often leave you wondering if this initial goal of yours is really worth it? Often, this is the point that many people give up. Life becomes imbalanced, excuses are made and goals begin to slip away as you search deep inside of yourself for the real reason why you wanted the goal in the first place. For it is rarely about the goal in and of itself but rather who you become throughout the journey.

More than anything, it is important to love what you do on a daily basis for you only have one shot at making the most out of your days here on earth. Sure, life presents challenges and requires a high level of commitment if you want to reach your goals, but you there needs to be some kind of enjoyment factor in what you view "hard work". If your "hard work" starts to get in the way of more important things in life, it is essential that you step away for a minute (or a day) and realize that that goal achievement is all about the journey. For it is the journey that makes the person something great.

If you are feeling run-down and tired and often find yourself emotionally unraveling by the second, redefine your goals. For hard work and sacrifice requires energy and a positive outlook on life. You must love what you do as you work toward your goal and recognize that it is in the process that you will really become someone that you never thought you could be in life.

It was 11 years ago that I called myself a College Freshman.AHHH, what to do with my life??? I thought medical school but I quickly realized that my love was for exercise. Fast forward 4 years, I became a University graduate (Transylvania University in Lexington, KY) with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. I somehow managed to divide my time between studies and swim practice, helping me earn honors as an All-American swimmer, being on the Dean's list and being the 2004 President of the Exercise Science Club.
Wanting to pursue higher education (for a career with Strength and Conditioning), I found myself with an assistantship/scholarship at Florida Atlantic University (Davie, FL). Missing my swimming teammates, I decided to train for a marathon while spending the rest of my time researching during the day and learning in Graduate classes at night. At the time, this was one of the most stressful and overwhelming periods of my life but somehow, I managed to finish for my first marathon and finish graduate school. I also squeezed in a few triathlons on my super cool Giant hybrid bicycle. Looking back (reflecting), it was in my last semester of graduate school that I took an elective undergraduate course on Nutrition. It was then that I really saw my love for nutrition and exercise begin to blossom.
With no money and a spare room in my parents new home in the Tampa Bay area, I took an internship at the World Triathlon Corporation (then in Tarpon Springs, now in Tampa) and it was there that I met Judy (from Iron Girl) who welcomed me into a whole new world of what it really means to be passionate about all things fitness. After the 6 month internship, I welcomed a year of work at the YMCA as a wellness coordinator, while teaching spin classes and personal training but desired more in my life. I also met my amazing husband Karel who taught me to get out of my routine and to not be so afraid of setting higher goals for myself.

There were many reasons behind the goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian but never did I think that it would be so challenging and difficult. From distance accredited classes, to local pre-req classes to then applying to internships. Errr, getting rejected from competitive internships. Two years later after starting my dietitic journey (and one Ironman finish in August 2009), I finally got accepted to Marywood University (distance dietetic internship program). I can't forget getting married and welcoming my furry best friend (Campy) into my life.
With three filled rotations (community, food service/management and clinical) squeezed into 10 months and over 1200 hours and my fourth Ironman finish (Sept 2010), I could see the finish line in reaching my goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian.

While spending the last two months, studying for the National RD exam, I had many opportunities to reflect on all of the many sacrifices I made in reaching my goals. I recognized my strengths in my passion (exercise) and focused on my weakness (medical nutrition therapy). I put in a lot of hard work over the past 11 years and with every accomplishment came a series of obstacles which were very difficult, stressful and overwhelming. It was never easy but I always searched for some type of joy/excitement to keep me going. For at times, training for an Ironman was my "stress-free time" and for other times, a walk with Campy after a 10 hour day at St. Vincent's Hospital was the most relaxing part of my day. But no matter what I was doing, I tried really hard to stay passionate about my goal and keep some type of balance in mind.

"Confidence is preparation. Everything else is beyond your control"

So....for the first time ever....

Marni Sumbal, MS, RD




Step #4 and #5 are currently in the works. As for Step #6, my list is long :)


To my blog readers: Thanks for your support and for believing in me.