January | February | March | April | May | June | Trainer | Dietitian

Karen Giles-Smith, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian
www.TheWellnessWriter.com

I’m Karen Giles-Smith, Christine Doolittle’s nutrition coach for Healthy & Fit Magazine’s Healthy Lifestyle Challenge. I’m excited to work with Christine as one of her guides on her journey to better health. When Healthy & Fit Magazine invited me to join the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge, one of the first things I said was, “It sounds like fun!”

To kick things off, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself. I live in Mason with my husband and teen daughter. I enjoy writing, kayaking, keeping a nature journal, running, reading, gardening and baking.

Many years ago, an interest in science and a fondness for food drew me to the field of nutrition. These interests have expanded into a passion for wellness.

I hold a master’s in human nutrition from Case Western Reserve University. I’ve worked as a registered dietitian for 20 years, including clinical dietetics and nutrition education. I’m employed by Dairy Council of Michigan, a non-profit nutrition education organization funded by the dairy farmers of Michigan, and I’m also a freelance writer.

I’m a member of the American Dietetic Association and a board member of the Michigan Dietetic Association (MDA), Lansing Dietetic Association (LDA), and Nutrition Entrepreneurs of Michigan. I’ve been involved in the LDA Food & Fitness 5K Run/Walk for over 15 years, two of which I served as co-director. I’m also a member of WellCoaches, an organization of health and wellness coaches affiliated with the American College of Sports Medicine. I received the Michigan Registered Dietitian of the Year Award in 2004 and the Public Relations-Individual Award in 2008 from MDA. 

I believe in eating well and living well. Food is fuel for fun physical activity as well as nourishment for the body and soul. Julia Child said, “You were given an appetite so that you would nourish yourself.” I believe in balance in all areas of life, including eating and physical activity. This is what health is all about, and it naturally leads to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.

We all have the power to make positive changes in our lives to reach that balance. We can take small steps toward health when we’re ready and willing, such as eating breakfast and getting a little more sleep. Small steps toward heath-related goals can make a big difference in how we feel; and feeling better is wonderful motivation to sustain and build upon behavior changes.

Christine and I had the chance to talk on the phone and began to get acquainted. Our first meeting is set for early January. Christine is very motivated to make lifestyle changes to improve her energy and manage her cholesterol and blood pressure. As an empty-nester, she has more time for herself and is looking forward to enjoying this phase of her life to the fullest. As Christine’s nutrition coach, I’ll help her determine her health and nutrition priorities, create a wellness vision, develop short- and long-term nutrition goals, and work toward her goals at her own pace. My hope for Christine is that she meets with self-defined success and makes significant headway on her journey to her best self.