SBA Blog - Jenna Le

• What is Health?
• Can Fast Food be Nutritious?
• Inputs Outweigh Outcomes
• Self-Care During COVID-19
• A Cruel Cruel Villian
• The Next Right Thing
• Jenna Le's Bio

What is Health?

June 8, 2021

What is health? The answer may surprise you.

What is health? This is a question that I’ve been asking myself lately and one that I think is critically overlooked in traditional “weight loss” culture.

What is health? Is it a body size? Absence of disease? Serenity? Longevity? Lately, I’ve been challenged to consider what true health really is.

As a dietitian, food, and exercise habits are the primary behaviors I have been trained to consider when assessing a person’s health. However, as health research grows, I have learned that these two factors only encompass a small part of the picture.

It turns out that several other factors, such as sleep, stress, social support, socioeconomic status, relational connectivity, environment, and genetics (to name a few!) all play a role in determining overall health status.

Health cannot be seen by appearances. Health is not a size.

I’ve been learning about a more holistic approach to healthcare called the Health at Every Size movement. This movement encourages health-promoting behaviors with the goal of health, not weight loss, as the gold standard. Health at Every Size considers the more “unseen” aspects of health, like fitness, social connectivity, eating patterns, relationship to food, relationship with self, sleep, stress, environment, and more.

As I continue to read the research backing this approach, I can’t help but feel more settled in my soul. THIS makes sense to me.

I am more than just my body’s physical appearance. I am a full person, with a body, yes, but also with a mind, emotions, relationships, and spirituality. My health encompasses ALL of these things. Strict diets require that I neglect certain other parts of my health, and they leave me feeling empty. They also stress me out!

Funny enough, research shows that stress has a stronger correlation with developing chronic disease than weight and body size. Social factors such as living in poverty, experiencing discrimination, and emotional trauma increase stress, in addition to everyday stressors like work, raising a family, and managing other responsibilities. Even exercise is a stressor, which can be a good thing in certain quantities, but too much can lead to a stress hormone overload!

Research shows that chronic elevated stress hormone, or cortisol, has numerous negative effects on our bodies such as blood sugar imbalances and increased diabetes risk, immune system suppression, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, fertility problems, and other long-term health problems.

The true pursuit of health is more than just a diet plan. We must consider all aspects of our long-term well-being.

As we begin to consider our health from a more holistic point of view- physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual- I think it’s helpful to take a look inward and become curious about which aspects of our health could use some more attention.

With this holistic definition in mind, I also challenge us to consider if what we’re currently doing “in the pursuit of health” is actually truly healthy. There are many fad diets and exercise regimens that may result in short-term weight loss but are actually really hurting our health in the long run.

From a research perspective, most of these extreme plans have not been tested for long-term effects, therefore we really have no idea if they are even safe for long-term use. Don’t be fooled! Health is not found in a body ideal. It’s much more complex!

To me, true health honors my physical body while also honoring my mental, emotional, relational, social, and spiritual health. The definition of honor is “to regard with great respect.” I am learning to respect my body, not change its size. I am learning to nourish my body with good foods and joyful movement, which for me looks like eating a variety of foods from all food groups, listening to my hunger and fullness cues, and moving my body in a way that feels good to me. I am learning to tend to my body in a way that honors all the other components of my health too, because I am more than just my body. I am learning to sleep more, make time for intentional relationships, laugh more, and even go to counseling. I am journaling more often, keeping up with my physicals, and spending more time outdoors. I am educating myself about the social factors that make it more difficult for others to enjoy the same health privileges I do, and finding out what I can do to help.

I am comparing myself to others less and cheering others on more because health is NOT a size. And that makes me glad.

I recently read a quote that says “My body is an instrument, not an ornament”. This really spoke to me, as for many years of my life I treated my body as simply an ornament. I put my body through torture in order to make it look the way society said it “should” be. But really, that was the unhealthiest I’ve ever been.

I am so grateful for where I am today, realizing that my body is the vessel that allows me to live out the purpose for which I was made. I have learned my body is smart and resilient; it does not need to be micromanaged. I am learning that my body is my friend who can be trusted, not my enemy. And I am learning that true health is a lifelong journey, one that I can choose joyfully every day.

Can Fast Food be Nutritious?

May 24, 2021

Fast Food. Delicious, yes, but can it also be nutritious?

For most of us, the term “fast food” conjures up images of greasy bacon burgers, super-sized French fries, and crisp chicken tenders dunked into creamy special sauce. Our doctors tell us to avoid it. Dieters say it’s their doom. Many of us call it our “guilty pleasure”, something completely contrary to our otherwise healthy living. But let’s face it. Life happens. We don’t have time to cook. We’ve got kids and school and work deadlines to meet. And sometimes it’s just plain easy. But does visiting the local fast food joint have to mean we have to sabotage our stomachs? Do we have to throw our health goals out the window as we pass beneath those golden arches? Good news! The answer is no! It doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, by following five simple guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying healthier fast food options that both tickle your tastebuds and meet your nutrient needs.

Five Guidelines for Healthy Fast-food Freedom

1. Ask yourself: What food groups are in this meal?

• Remember the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and grains or starchy vegetables. Aim to include 3-5 food groups per meal.
• Use MyPlate as a template. Aim for half of your plate to be fruits and vegetables, with the other two quarters being grains and lean protein. Don’t forget a little dairy too! Use the MyPlate template for all menu items, not just those that come on a plate. The goal is to look at the proportions of each food group on the plate and then ask yourself, “What can I do to adapt this meal to make it more like MyPlate?” Some examples may include adding extra fruits or vegetables as sides and toppings, asking for a single-patty sandwich instead of a double, or enjoying regular bread instead of hoagie-style bread. The goal is to keep food group proportions consistent with the MyPlate model.

2. Ask yourself: What nutrients are in this meal?

• Check the facts. Most fast-food restaurants are required to post calories on their menus. Full nutrition facts are available on the restaurant's website. You can also ask for a paper copy on-site.

3. Choose your highs and lows

• Choose foods that are HIGHER in fiber and protein.
  • Whole grain bread and pasta, brown rice, vegetables, and fruit are good sources of fiber.
  • Grilled meats, fish, beans, nuts, seeds, and eggs are good sources of lean protein.
• Choose foods that are LOWER in saturated fat.
  • Choose less fried foods, bacon, multiple patty burgers, cream-based dressings, mayonnaise, mayonnaise-based sauces, sour cream, and cheese sauces. These foods are high in saturated fat and our bodies need them in smaller quantities.
  • Choose more grilled foods, fish, vegetables, fruits, and vinegar-based dressings. These foods are low in saturated fat and can sometimes include healthy UN-saturated fats that our bodies need.
• Choose beverages with LOW OR NO added sugar

4. Have it your way

• Don’t be afraid to ask if a meal item can be modified. Most of the time restaurants are more than happy to add and remove items to and from your order. (Note: Adding items may include an extra charge!)
• Sample modifications:
  • Ask if you can substitute a side salad instead of chips or fries.
  • Ask for sauces and salad dressings on the side.
  • Add available vegetables to sandwiches, salads, wraps, and bowls.
  • Ask for a kid's size.

5. Savor and be satisfied

• Aim to enjoy your meal to the fullest! Eat slowly and enjoy the different tastes and textures. Not only does this allow you to enjoy your food more, but it also allows you to more accurately sense your fullness level. Use this principle for eating any meal, not just fast food!
• As we know, fast food can also be a fun treat, and that’s perfectly okay!! In fact, it’s an important element of a balanced lifestyle! Allowing ourselves to enjoy ALL foods in our overall healthy diet is a critical element of maintaining sustainable lifelong wellness that we ENJOY.
• As a general guideline, aim to choose more nutritious options 80% of the time. Remember, there is no such thing as “good food” or “bad food”. Food is morally neutral. Of course, some foods have more nutrition than others, but no one food has the power to make or break your nutrition goals. Our bodies are smart and flexible. Some foods we eat more often, some foods we eat less often.

Finding balance = creating a healthy lifestyle that will last a lifetime!

Enjoy your meal! For more information, visit the following:

• Healthy Fast Food
• Fast Food Tips

Inputs Outweigh Outcomes

April 9, 2021

The other night my husband was telling me about a problem he’d been having at work. He’s in technology sales and serves as the middle man for a variety of technology and cabling products. He told me he had placed an order for a specific product and the shipment was running way behind schedule. He told me he was feeling like a failure because he couldn’t get this product to his customer on time. He talked to one of his friends about the problem, and this friend gave him some advice that blew my mind.

He walked my husband through each of the steps that he took to get the customer his order on time:

“Did you place the order in a timely manner?”

Yes.

“Did you order the correct parts?”

Yes.

“Did you follow up on the shipment to find out why it was late?”

Yes.

“Did you notify your customer to let him know the status of his order?”

Yes.

Then his friend looked at him and said “Well, then you’re a success.”

Baffled, my husband asked him what he meant. His friend explained, “You did everything you had in your power to get that shipment on time. You did all the things your job required to the best of your ability. You don’t have control of the outcome, but you do have control over your actions. You did everything there was to do, and you did it well, therefore, you’re a success.”

I haven’t been able to get that conversation out of my mind. This is not how I typically think of success. I look at outcomes, not input, and so often feel like a failure in the things I pursue. No wonder I never feel good enough. I’m focused on the things I can’t control rather than the things I can.

As I sat down to write this post today, I began to consider how our health would change if we viewed it in terms of our input instead of weight outcomes. I suddenly had a lightbulb moment that THIS is why weight should not be the focus of our health goals!

All in all, weight is an outcome. An outcome of our genes, our environments, socioeconomic factors, and our behaviors. We have NO control over our genes, and limited control over our environments and socioeconomic status.

However, we do have control over our behaviors. Focusing on weight loss as the only determinant of health success will always leave us feeling like failures, because all in all, we will never be in complete control.

That doesn’t mean we can’t improve our health, but the reality is that bodies come in all different shapes and sizes. Body diversity is a beautiful thing to be celebrated! Unfortunately, media and culture have taught us that some types of bodies are better than others. This is discrimination and something we need to fight against. So often we determine our “success” at getting healthy by our body weight and the number on the scale instead of looking at the lifestyle changes we’ve actually made.

Many people adopt numerous health-promoting behaviors like eating balanced meals, getting more sleep, drinking water instead of soda, or practicing meditation, and yet still go to bed feeling like failures because they “haven’t lost the weight’’. However, when we look at their input and the steps they’ve taken, we see they’ve done everything right. They are successful.

I think this is a great example of the Health at Every Size paradigm shift.

Imagine a group of people all adopt identical health-promoting behaviors. They all eat the same healthy meals, exercise the same way, and get the same amount of sleep for 3 months. At the end of three months, some lose weight, some gain weight, and some stay the same. At the end of those three months, are the only ones who lost weight successfully? No! They were ALL successful! They all put in the right input. They are all successes. In addition, let’s look at what happened on the inside. The more unseen aspects of health, such as cholesterol levels, blood glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, stress levels, and metabolic rate would all be positively impacted.

We may not have complete control over our body weight, but the healthy behaviors we practice will always improve our well-being. As we enter another season of Scale Back Alabama, let’s redefine success.

What if we pay more attention to our input rather than the output number on the scale? What if we focus on how healthy behaviors make us FEEL rather than how they make us look? Let’s shift our focus inward. Let’s celebrate body diversity and that healthy living can be pursued at ANY weight or body size. Let’s celebrate our successes! Let’s work on accepting the things we cannot change, having the courage to change the things we can, and the having wisdom to know the difference.

Self-Care During COVID-19

March 25, 2020

School closings.

Working from home.

Empty toilet paper aisles.

Social distancing.

I think we all know what these things have in common. The coronavirus has taken the world by storm, and it’s been life altering to all of us in some degree. I am sobered by the news of elderly who are unable to get groceries or see their families, employees who have been laid off, parents searching for childcare so they can go to work, and the growing number of COVID-19 victims each day. I realize I don’t know or understand even half of the pain and loss being suffered by so many, and I don’t claim to have any answers. All I can truly offer is my own experience, be there for others as I am able, and pray.

It is certainly easy to get lost amidst all the chaos, uncertainty, fear, and negativity. In times of crisis, self-care can feel like the least important thing on the list. However, I discovered the hard way just how quickly I hit rock bottom when I let go of self-care. Practicing daily self-care has become a lifeline for keeping my hope and spirit intact. And isn’t hope what our world needs most right now? We are better equipped to serve and share hope with others when we take good care of ourselves. The following are a few self-care practices that have helped me stay grounded.

1. Set boundaries with news and social media.

This has been a game-changer for me ya’ll. Turn the TV off. I know it’s hard, I know it feels safer to know every single detailed update of every single minute but trust me, turn it off. Even just for a few hours. I checked the news religiously for the first few days- scrolling on my phone, refreshing my newsfeed, and checking online, with the TV constantly blaring in the background. And I. Was. Consumed. It has felt like a refreshing bath of clean water to turn it off for a few hours. This will look a little different for everyone, but I encourage you to set a media boundary that feels life-giving for YOU.

2. Get outside.

Do something normal. Go for a walk, wheelchair roll, or work in the yard. The blessing of living in Alabama is that we are already experiencing Spring! The weather is gorgeous right now, and the sunshine and cool breeze is an instant pick-me-up. When we are constantly stressed, our bodies overproduce the stress hormone called cortisol, which puts our brains in “fight or flight” mode. We cannot make good decisions or live healthy lives when our cortisol is constantly elevated. Constantly elevated cortisol increases our risk for anxiety, depression, and heart disease. Getting outside is an easy and enjoyable way to get our stress levels down. Just remember to practice social distancing and other state guidelines.

3. Engage in activities that are grounding for you.

Think about what kind of activities bring you peace and make a commitment to do these things a few times a week. Don’t just say you’re going to do it, but actually plan a time and make arrangements for it. Maybe you wake up an hour early to fit in some “you” time or enjoy a quiet moment alone while children take naps. It doesn’t have to be every day, but don’t be afraid to adjust your schedule and make time for yourself. Remember to make both your physical health and your mental health a priority during this stressful time.

4. Set a loose routine.

With altered work schedules, kids at home, and summer-like weather, it can be easy to lose track of time—fast. While nobody is setting a routine for you, it can be incredibly grounding to set one for yourself. As much as we often hate to admit it, humans thrive with some structure. Plan to keep a loose routine for yourself and your family. Maintaining some normalcy will help you feel more human, and will make for happier children too. The following are a few ideas of what a loose routine might look like.

(1) Keep normal hours (i.e, wake up in the morning, not at noon, go to bed at normal bedtimes, keep normal weekday/ weekend routines for children).

(2) Get dressed. Yes, you can wear your pjs for the first few days, but getting dressed can help you to be more productive and can fight away that “yuck” feeling.

(3) Eat three meals a day. Aim to include 3-5 food groups at each meal.

(4) Find a place in the house that is your “office.” Work in this office as if you were in your real office, and only do work in this space. Setting a specific location for work can help your brain transition from “play” mode to “work” mode more easily.

(5) Set school hours. Try setting regular school work hours at home so that children have a clear expectation of what times are meant for school work, and what times are meant for play. Aim to keep the same hours every day, when possible.

5. Stay connected.

We live in an amazing day in age where technology makes it so easy to stay in touch. Let’s not lose touch during this time. Continue to chat on social media, make phone calls and texts, hold video conferences, and even mail cards. Think of those who might be especially lonely during this time, and make a special effort to reach out. We need each other.

6. Practice gratitude, have hope, and wash your hands!

Enough said.

Praying for strength and health in each of your families, and that we will see the end of this journey soon. In the meantime, let’s take care of ourselves and each other, continue to find joy in the small things, and hold fast to your sense of peace.

A Cruel Cruel Villian

March 10, 2020

They call it the thief of joy. It’s a creeping, sneaking, dirty little snake, sifting into the dark corners of your mind when you least expect it. It starts as a tickle, then an itch, then a full-on throbbing headache. It whispers lies to your soul. “You’re not good enough, why even bother?” “You’ll never be able to do this. You’re nothing but a failure.” “If only you were as smart as them, you would have gotten the job.” These lies feel like truth and cut us to the deepest places of our cores. Those whispers of poison slice our heartstrings like knives. Comparison. It is a cruel, cruel villain. It will keep you running on a treadmill of despair. It will stop you in your tracks. It will indeed, steal your joy.

Although malicious, comparison isn’t the most creative of beasts. It tends to attack the same places again and again. For me, I find comparison attacks my values. For example, I value relationships and creativity, and these are the areas where I compare myself the most. We don’t tend to compare ourselves in areas that we don’t really value. The same comparison that steals our joy can also steal our confidence in who we are and what we’re doing. We all offer valuable gifts in this world, but comparison convinces us that everyone else has something better to give. When we compare, we lose sight of who we are and become less passionate and purposeful in pursuing our values because we feel insecure. Comparison’s main agenda is to trick us into doubting our own abilities so that we will stay stuck. If given enough power, the comparison will make us ineffective people who spend most of our time looking at others, while completely forgetting the potential that lies within ourselves.

Life hands us all kinds of lessons, and it’s handed me a few about the futility of comparison. However, one of the most profound lessons I’ve learned about comparison came from a rather unlikely place… the airport.

I have a weird love of airports. The whoosh of cold air, the clean efficiency, the excitement in the air, and the fresh smell of Cinnabon wafting through the terminals. I love the hustle, the moving sidewalks, the sense of satisfaction when you finally find your gate, and that perfect moment when you realize there’s a Starbucks in your terminal. But my absolute favorite thing about airports is the people-watching. The wide variety of people all headed to different places is astounding. I love to make up stories about the people around me, watch their mannerisms, their family interactions, the way they carry themselves as they make their way to somewhere, someone, or something. A common theme I’ve noticed is that in airports, people walk or wheelchair roll with purpose. There are a few outliers of course, but for the most part, people are walking or rolling with their eyes ahead, a purpose in mind, taking great strides ahead toward their final destinations. What people don’t do is stop, look where others are going, think “Hm, I bet where they’re going is better than me, I’ll follow them instead,” and then change their path to follow that person. They don’t look at other terminals and think “Where I’m going isn’t nearly as good as that! I think I’ll get my flight changed”. No, people are confident in where they’re going and they keep their eyes on their own path. I’m sure they’re happy for others to get where they’re going too, but what matters most is that they reach their own final destinations.

I think we can learn a lot from these airport people. What if we walked through life, and not just airports, with this same sense of purpose? Maybe we’d all reach our final destinations a lot more quickly. If I can be sure of my purpose and my path, then I can be happy and excited for others, while staying true to the path that was meant for me. I can stay focused on my own goals, while letting others pursue theirs, knowing that we all have different gifts, talents, personalities, and preferences. I can stop comparison in its’ tracks.

Let’s look at this in the context of health goals. Let’s say I’ve recently established a new habit of eating healthy and moving in a way that feels good to me. I am choosing more vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, and I’ve even incorporated 30 minutes of walking into my daily routine. I am proud of my accomplishments, and I can already feel and see the differences in my body. All of a sudden, Joe Macro walks by, looking happier and healthier than ever, bragging that CrossFit and green juice have been the keys to his health, happiness, and six-pack abs. I immediately begin to compare and feel insecure about my measly walking. I decided I will purchase a CrossFit membership and find out what on earth is in green juice. Just then, I run into my good friend Sandra Stretch, glowing that yoga is changing her life and that following a vegan diet has already lowered her cholesterol 10 points. Comparison rears its ugly head again. “Hmm,” I think to myself, “Well I need to do what she is doing! She’s so far ahead of me!” That night, I sign up for CrossFit and buy enough tofu and kale to feed a small vegan nation. One month later I’ve abandoned my daily walks because “I ‘should’ be exercising at CrossFit” and have given up my balanced meals because “I ‘should’ be eating vegan,” but as it turns out, I really hate both. I feel down in the dumps, believing the lie that others are better and more successful than me, and I will never achieve my fitness goals. As I’m cleaning rotten tofu from my fridge, it dawns on me that I should have stuck with what worked for me. I was instead, fooled by the comparison trap.

This is a silly example, but it hits all too close to home. Maybe you haven’t had an experience this extreme, but I know I’ve been guilty of comparing my exercise routine to “theirs,” and feeling inadequate, or my work performance to “hers” and being jealous. It hits us when we least expect it. We’re content with the progress we’re making until we see someone else who looks different than us. Whether it’s relationship goals, career goals, or nutrition goals, it’s easy to become distracted by what others are doing and to believe that their path is better than our own. But when we start trying to follow their path instead, it often takes us much longer to reach our own final destination.

Whatever I’m pursuing, I want to be a person who is true to my own path and to give thanks that the path I’m on is meant just for me. I believe that every person on this earth has something unique to offer, and by keeping our eyes on our unique destinations, we will be better equipped to fulfill the purpose we were meant to fill in this world. I also think we’ll be better equipped to love one another more genuinely because without comparison, others are no longer a threat. So here’s to being true to ourselves, staying on our own unique paths, knowing we each have a purpose in this world, and cheering each other along on the way. Let’s stop comparison in its tracks!

The Next Right Thing

January 24, 2020

I get stuck when I look too far ahead. My mind comes up with wonderful ideas, dreams, plans, and goals of lovely things that I hope to achieve. I make lists, collect resources, and even tell others about my magnificent ideas. The problem is when I try to get started. I know where I want to end up, but the gap between that place and where I stand today feels like a marathon that I don’t have the time or energy to race. I stand at the starting line, gazing ahead into the distance, wishing I had superpowers to zoom ahead to the finish. Whoosh! Pow! “And she wins the gold!! Unbelievable!!” Then I remember life’s not a comic book, and I’m not Wonder Woman, and unfortunately, I’m just going to have to run the race or get out. And so oftentimes, I do get out, grabbing a sad consolation prize as I leave my goals in the dust.

For many, achieving health goals can feel a lot like that marathon. We picture where we want to be, but the distance between now and the finish line seems insurmountable. Health becomes a fantasy that only the most disciplined can achieve. So many of us don’t even try. Or, we look for “superpowers” in the form of fad diets and restrictive regimes. These “powers” might work for a while, only to be sabotaged by Grandma Betty’s decadent chocolate pie that leaves us on the couch moaning, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” Our bodies can’t function with long-term restrictions. We decide we’ve failed and leave the race, all the while muttering “My new diet starts tomorrow,” or worse, “I knew this was too hard. It’s not even worth trying.” The finish line still seems so far. There has got to be a better way.

This year, I’ve had a certain phrase ringing in my ears that I can’t get out of my mind. The reason is that it’s a phrase that’s finally helping me move forward. It’s nothing new, only five simple words. It’s been quoted by some of our nation’s greats, including Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, Theodore Roosevelt, and Mother Teresa. It serves as a mantra in Alcoholics Anonymous and countless recovery programs and sports teams. It’s the title of my favorite author’s latest book, and it just so happens to be a feature song in Disney’s newest animated musical, Frozen 2.

Do the Next Right Thing.

What exactly does this mean?

To me, doing the next right thing means making the best choice I can make to move forward in this moment. I may not have it all figured out, but I can make the best choice possible for myself right now. It’s a moment-by-moment approach to achieving long-term outcomes, focusing on the present, not the future. What can I do right now, to get where I want to be? Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t have to be glamorous! Sometimes the next right thing is to make a sandwich because it’s time for lunch! Other times the next right thing takes more courage, like submitting a job application or initiating a hard conversation.

Doing the next right thing means focusing on things we can control, not the things we can’t. These choices are often small and simple, but ultimately determine the direction of our lives. With a clear or unclear goal in mind, doing the next right thing gives purpose to the here and now, and puts the control back in our hands. We have the power to choose what’s best, right now. And then, we’ll make another choice. And then another. One step at a time.

I believe the next right thing mindset can be a powerful tool in achieving health goals. Instead of becoming discouraged by the journey ahead, we can take a moment to pause, look around at the present point on the path, and ask a simple question - what is my next right thing, in this moment? My next right thing is to:

Get outside for a walk in the fresh air

Get in bed an hour earlier than usual

Put down my fork because I know I’m full

Say yes to dessert and enjoy it slowly and mindfully

As I practice this “next right thing” mentality in my own life, I have found it to be especially helpful in the times when I believe that I have failed. Maybe I’ve hit a setback, made a mistake, or gotten discouraged by how far I have to go. Doing the next right thing slows me down and returns my focus to the present. I can always choose to get back on track and keep moving forward. No, I don’t have control over the future, but I can make a good choice right now. As Disney Princess Anna puts it,

“I won’t look too far ahead
It’s too much for me to take
But break it down to this next breath, this next step
This next choice is one that I can make!”

Oh, how I wish I could sing it for you!

And for those non-Disney princess fans out there, take it from Winston Churchill, who says, “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.” I especially love this quote because it reassures us we WILL face failure at times, but true success lies in choosing to move forward anyway.

One next right thing at a time.

Jenna Le Kayworth, MS, RDN, LD

Jenna Le is a passionate dietitian who believes that true health is found independent of body size. She believes in helping others find balance with eating and movement, enjoying all types of foods while journeying toward overall wellness. Jenna Le aims to help people improve their relationships with food, exercise, and their bodies by focusing on holistic nutrition principles that address both body and mind. She believes that by improving these relationships, people are better equipped to sustain lasting wellness.

Jenna Le loves to help others find ways to adopt health behaviors into their own unique lives while remaining true to the things they love most. Her vision is for a wellness industry that focuses more on behaviors and inner health than on outside appearances. Jenna Le loves to read, write, spend time outside, and enjoy her husband Thomas, and their spoiled cat Milo.