Sarafina's Story

Over the next few months, I'll be sharing client stories from time to time about their health challenges and experiences working with The Healthy Plate.  My first featured client is actress, model and owner of Art of Pilates, Sarafina King.  Here's her story....

A little about me and WHY in the world I’d want to give up Sugar!!! The reaction from most is: You’re in great shape, you work out, and you eat healthy (really for the average American I do eat SUPER healthy), Why would I want to do this….

Reason number 1 - I do eat healthy, and workout… A LOT.  But I find myself with a little gut. Great arms, great legs, and a little belly. I have no excuses or answers  for my belly, I don’t drink, I’m gluten free, I’ve never had a baby… there’s no reason for the fat around the middle.  I was stumped. 

Reason number 2 – I am an actress and fitness model. Being under the scrutiny of people on a daily basis is all par for the course in what I’m trying to do. I was fine with the rejection and brutal honesty up until a few days ago when someone told me, “You’re face is horrible (acne), if you think you’re going to work in this town what THAT skin, you’ve got another thing coming” And to be honest my skin is not really that bad. I have flare ups like everyone else, but it is something that I have struggled with as an adult.

Reason number 3 – I’ve tried EVERYTHING else, I was Vegan, Vegetarian, I AM gluten free.  I had always been a sweets after I eat person, but it wasn’t until I went gluten free that my addiction to sugar grew. Most gluten free foods are pumped with sugar to make them taste better.  Little did I know that although my stomach felt better without the gluten it grew with the added sugar.

Alas – I was venting one day to a client, (insert Jen), who is an amazing Organic Chef, Holistic Health Coach and most importantly a great friend.  Over the years she’s listened to my ups and downs, my woes, and knew what I ate, where my struggles were etc.  I asked her if she could help me fine tune what is going on with my diet. And that’s where the Sugar Detox began.   

Jen has been amazing from the meal plan she’s given me, the knowledge, the patience (I’m not a great cook) and I don’t efficiently know my way around a grocery store either.  I’m on day 2, technically 1.5. I’ve already sent numerous emails with questions, cravings, overall support and she promptly responds and has the BEST suggestions for ME. Not some generic “eat these snacks” kind of response.   Something that I realistically LIKE to eat.  I feel fantastic, the food tastes AMAZING, so far so good… yes I know it’s day 2… Let’s see how I like it day 5 :)

 

Keep you posted,

Sarafina 

***As Sarafina mentioned, I have actually been a client of hers for years.  She helped me get in shape for my wedding, during my pregnancy and now post-baby.  If you're in the Los Angeles area and are looking for a Pilates trainer who customizes workouts to your needs, send her an email.  For more information on her services, check out the links below.

www.sarafinaking.com

www.artofpilatesinc.com

What are your reasons for quitting sugar?  Did you kick the habit or are you still facing challenges?  Share with us!

Welcome to The Healthy Plate!

It's nice to have you here.  The Healthy Plate brings energy, balance and joy into your life by sharing my experiences and what I've learned through my own quest for health and balance. In our busy world, our plates tend to be too full.  Too much work, not enough time for play and rest, and poor eating habits lead us feeling unbalanced and unfulfilled. The Healthy Plate is about adding nourishment to your plate whether it be with food, fun or fitness.

I believe deeply in the body's ability to heal itself given the right combination of food, exercise and personal nourishment.  As a mom and a trained chef, I enjoy creating healthy, fast and easy menu plans to keep your family going throughout the week.  I also love to share quick recipes and fitness plans for on-the-go people and families.

I also have experienced physical and health challenges.  After a traumatic auto accident, I had to learn how to use and strengthen my body again as well as how to manage pain effectively.  In addition, I have been healing myself of an autoimmune thyroid disease for the past few years.  Because of these experiences, I have learned wonderful healing techniques to address physical pain, weight management, stress, thyroid challenges and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, IBS, and obesity.

As a busy parent, I am always trying to find ways to find balance and stay healthy.  We all know what a feat that can be to accomplish when so many "to-dos" are on the list that it is difficult to actually do it all - prepare healthy meals, sit down to eat, make time for friends, family, fun, and ourselves and find time to exercise.  This blog will provide ideas, tricks and tips for putting balance back into your.  I will share information from my own experiences with health issues and from my training as a health counselor and chef.  I will also share blog posts and articles from other websites that are valuable to us all.

I hope you enjoy and please feel free to post comments and questions.  We're all in this together!  Now, what's on your plate?