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My story of beating the yo yo diet cycle....
Hi! My Name is Rita, the owner and Dietitian Nutritionist and Holistic Health Coach behind RAE Nutrition and Wellness.
I'm so glad you are here today! I want to share a little bit about my background but first let's start with just how big the diet industry is....
Did you know an estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet each year, spending $33 billion on weight loss products. Crazy, right?
Truth is...I was one of them, I tried everything out there, you name it I tried it. With each new plan, I was excited. This was going to be it. The answer I had been searching for. The funny thing is I always gained a few extra pounds before I started, because I had to say "goodbye" to all of my "forbidden" foods. Sometimes the diet lasted a week, a month, even a few months if I was lucky…sometimes only a couple of days. Then, I would fall into the other extreme of eating everything in sight, all the foods I wasn't previously "allowed" to eat and then some.
I blamed myself…thinking something was wrong with me.
Why couldn’t I just do this?
However, another diet would come along and I would convince myself, once again....this must be the one, the magic answer that I just hadn't found yet. And then the cycle would repeat, over and over again. Each time with me expecting different results.
Until one day, I realized what I had been doing. And it occurred to me…what’s the definition of insanity…doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results?
And in that moment, I decided, no more. No more diets, no more extremes, no more magic pills or searching for magic answers. I had to figure this out once and for all. So I got off the diet roller coaster and promised myself I would never diet again. And I never have. Long story, short, by breaking up with dieting for good, I’ve been able to maintain my weight loss for over a decade despite my long history of chronic dieting.
If you want a little more background, keep reading.
I grew up with a very difficult eating relationship with food, compulsive overeating and binge eating. I ate over every emotion which made my weight yo-yo up and down. I struggled with my weight and body image for years searching for that “magic” pill, diet or food that would be able to give me the body I dreamed about. You name it, I tried it from WW, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, diet pills, Intermittent Fasting (although at the time I didn't realize it) and even OA (Overeaters Anonymous).
I also saw a dietitian years before I became one myself that handed me a reduced calorie, restrictive "standardized" diet plan and told me to follow it. I remember thinking, if I could have done that, I would have already. I eventually ate myself up to a 50+ lb weight gain. I felt desperate and so uncomfortable in my own body. It wasn't until the moment that I realized the definition of insanity, that I finally made that decision to never diet again.
I knew in order to do that I had to change. The key for me was I was finally ready to change. I was really done with dieting once and for all. And I never looked back and with a weight loss that I was able to maintain and never imagined possible, I decided I wanted to help other women who had been struggling the way I did.
I strongly believe in an evidenced-based holistic, mind-body approach, so I went back to school to get the education, experience and credentials I needed. In the process, I received my nutrition degree, with honors, and also received my yoga teacher certification and Integrative Nutrition Holistic Health Coach training.
Now I am on a mission to empower other women to take charge of their health and end dieting once and for all.
With personalized nutrition guidance and support, I simplify it and tailor it to your unique lifestyle and individual goals, teaching you how to achieve long-term success like I have.
If I can do it, so can you!
I did the hard work and came out the other side.
I understand the struggles and the emotional component of this journey. There is no easy way around it but you can get through it. I will give you all of the tools and provide you with all of the support you will need. All you have to do is bring a desire to change!
I am in this with you. No more waiting and putting off what you can do today!
We are an in-network service provider
of these insurance companies. **
For other insurance companies, we provide a superbill detailed receipt for potential reimbursement.
**Please Note: Unfortunately, insurance only allows for our face to face time during our scheduled appointment times. Insurance does not allow coverage for programs, support outside of the sessions, journal review, meal plans, etc. or anything outside of actual session time.
Credentials
Long Island University/C.W. Post Campus
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Bachelors in Nutrition, Magna Cum Laude
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Bachelors in Biology, Cum Laude
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Dietetic Internship, 1200 hour
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Registered Dietitian, Commission on Dietetic Registration
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Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, District of Columbia
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Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, Maryland
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Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, South Carolina
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Registered Yoga Teacher, RYT 200
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Holistic Health Coach
Trainings
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Certificate of Training in Pediatric and Adult Weight Management, Commission on Dietetic Registration
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Motivational Interviewing for Dietitians, Training Certificate
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Diabetes Is Primary Training Certificate, American Diabetes Association
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Certificate of Training in Treating Gluten-Related Disorders,
Commission on Dietetic Registration
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Certificate of Training FODMAP Dietitian Course, Monash University
My Philosophy
My passion and mission are to be your dedicated partner on your wellness journey.
As your personal Dietitian Nutritionist and Integrative Holistic Coach, I’m committed to helping you achieve sustainable weight loss and, most importantly, maintain it for life!
What makes this program unique is that I’ve been exactly where you are. After overcoming my own struggles with dieting and weight loss, I became a registered dietitian to guide others to lasting success.
With over 10 years of experience in the nutrition and wellness field, I specialize in helping women over 45 who are stuck in the cycle of chronic dieting and emotional eating. My program goes beyond traditional methods, addressing the unique metabolism and hormonal challenges that come with being over 45. I’ve created a simple, sustainable, and holistic approach designed just for you—so you can lose weight, heal your relationship with food, and finally say goodbye to dieting for good.
My approach is not just about weight loss—it’s about restoring your energy, vitality, and confidence. We will work together to support your body’s natural changes, improve your long-term health, and develop a positive mindset around food and aging.
I believe that each person’s journey is as unique as they are, which is why my approach is tailored to your individual needs. Together, we’ll address the root causes holding you back, including any metabolic or hormonal imbalances, to pave the way for lasting change.
Let’s achieve your healthiest, most energized self so you can live the life you’ve always dreamed of!
