My Story

Hi! My name is Kat, and this is my blog, Kat’s Health Corner.

My passion for “Nutrition and Wellness” has developed through my personal journey. I am sorry to admit it, but my family didn’t always eat wholesome foods. While growing up, what my family ate only depended on “the cost” and “the taste.” Foods with little nutritional value (i.e., processed and packaged foods, cheap TV dinners, and Hamburger Helper place) were commonplace at the dinner table.  I was lethargic. I was struggling. I was unhappy.

Then one day, my mother was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This became a blessing in disguise. We began to turn our lives around. We began looking at labels – we weren’t as concerned about what was in the product as what was on the nutritional label; nevertheless, as we made the changes (more home cooked meals, homemade bread, exercising), slowly but surely there was improvement.

But then, over the years, I became… restrictive. The restriction didn’t develop all at once; it was one little step at a time. No more moderation… I was all concerned with

-obsessing over numbers on the scale

-counting grams of fat

-eating by the clock

-limiting the amount of food, whether or not I was satisfied

I wasn’t listening to my body. I wasn’t in-tune with myself. I was overly concerned. I was on the verge of developing a full-blown eating disorder, orthorexia in particular. (The term “orthorexia” was coined by California doctor Steven Bratman in 1997 and is it to describe those with a “healthy eating disorder;” in other words, it’s meant to describe those people who are overly “obsessed with making healthy food choices.”)

I went to extremes. I wanted to be “perfect,” like it says in the scriptures: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48 KJV).

Thankfully, before this issue became dangerous (and thanks to my loved ones), I realized that this was a problem – a problem I needed to resolve. I was only hurting myself. I needed to develop a wholesome relationship with food. I thought I was being “healthy” before, but in fact, I was just being restrictive. I needed a balance.

Throughout this journey, I have learned that every nutrient is imperative – calorie, fat, carbohydrate, protein, vitamin, mineral, phytochemical – each plays a valuable role in the overall function in my body. If I have an imbalance in just one of these nutrients, havoc can wreak out throughout my entire body. I now view food as fuel, not a set of “number tables.”

During this period of difficulty and change, I developed a LOVE for nutrition, and to this day it is my pride and joy. I decided to pursue it as a career. I am now a college graduate with my bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion, and I am certified as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®). I have worked as a teacher assistant, as well as an adjunct professor, helping to teach college nutrition classes. I am currently focusing on being a full-time mom and applying the principles I have learned throughout the years. In addition to health and wellness, I love spending time with my family, serving others, doing family history, and blogging.

I am so grateful for my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. If it weren’t for Him, I don’t know where I would be right now. He is the one who helped me recognize what I was doing and guided me back to the path towards balance. He never gave up on me. He was always there, ready to lift me up, and help me get back on my feet. He continually strengthens me, and I am so grateful for His love and comfort. I am so grateful for my family. Their love and support keep me moving forward. They help remind me that I’m a child of God, a daughter of a loving Father in Heaven, a daughter of a King. They remind me of my potential and that through Christ I can use this experience to help others. I am also grateful for my friends, whether they knew I was going through this or not. Their care and kindness have made a difference in my life. Thank you for your friendship through my ups and my downs.

It has been a difficult journey, but I have learned so much thanks to that challenge. I would never ask for this experience to have been taken away. It was hard, but it has made me more knowledgeable, more caring, and more aware.

Follow me as I strive to draw closer to Jesus Christ, apply healthy principles into our lives, and make some delicious, nutritious goodies along the way. I love meeting new people, so drop me a line when you get the chance.

Questions about my experience with Orthrexia:

Q&A Eating Disorder Answered: Round 1, Round 2

More Q&A’s Answered

The Great Questionnaire: It’s Up To You!

Another Questionnaire