Out and About (C’ville): EAT! with Tracey and the Take Back Challenge

If you’ve been trying different diets and food philosophies for years, but they all leave you feeling frustrated, Tracey Webber has someone she’d like you to meet: yourself.

As the founder of EAT!, a Real Food nutrition counseling business in Charlottesville, Tracey finds that many clients come to her having sought for years to “lose weight” or “be healthy.” “If you don’t understand your motivations,” she emphasizes, “you’re setting yourself up to fail.”

Tracey’s personal embrace of health came after she was told by a doctor she’d need to take a pill for the rest of her life to fend off thyroid disease. Riled into rebellion, she decided she would forego the pills and maintain her health with nourishing food and a healthier lifestyle. Ten years later, she feels healthier, younger, and more energetic than when she was first diagnosed.

“For me, the awareness switch was that pill. I knew deep down that I could be healthier and happier by changing my diet and how I lived, and that knowledge kept me motivated to reach my goals.”  With her clients, she finds that desires to perform better at work, improve relationships, or break free from brain fog can be equally effectual — by making decisions that lead them to feel better, clients begin meeting their tangible goals and the improvements keep them encouraged to continue their efforts.

Even once her clients find a deeper motivation for weight loss, Tracey’s programs continues to emphasize self-awareness. “Symptoms — brain fog, fatigue, insomnia — are information about your individual health,” Tracey says. Restrictive and overly specific diets have taught us to ignore our symptoms, our cravings, and the food we’re eating.  

Tracey’s classes emphasize the need to feel our bodies again. Begin by making the small change of chewing and savoring food while eating a meal. If we give our bodies permission to tell us what they need, losing weight becomes almost an afterthought.  Once your body knows how good food makes it feel, you’ll know the joy of craving kale and salmon and dropping that extreme chocolate craving.

What change would she make if she could encourage Charlottesvillians to change their diets in one key way? “Eat seasonally and locally — you’ll taste the flavors more and appreciate food while it’s in season.”

Tracey’s Take Back Challenge

In partnership with Ivana Kadija, Tracey has dreamed up a 30-day challenge to introduce Charlottesvillians to healthy, sustainable tools for weight loss and achieving personal health goals. All of the $10 donations required for sign-up will go to one of several local charities chosen by the winning team.

Features of the program

1. Information: Each day, Tracey and Ivana will offer tips, resources, and recipes to participants, focusing on practical steps to more radiant health. Recent tips include articles like “Having the Right Mindset is the Key to Permanent Weight Loss” and “12 Tips to Keep You from Overeating.”
2. Inspiration: Participants can sign up in teams. The team that loses the most weight cumulatively gets to decide which of several fantastic local charities will receive participants’ entry fee.
3. Motivation: In addition to health tips from Tracey and Ivana, participants will receive discounts and special offers from local businesses, including Relay!

Interested?

As Tracey likes to say, getting involved in TakeBack is a no brainer! $10 for charity, plus great benefits and weight loss for you.

You can register online or check out the Facebook page to learn more. Once you’re signed up, you’ll have access to great advice, support, and discounts!

Finally, come on out for the kick-off event Saturday, January 7, from 1 until 4 PM! We’ll be there to promote Relay’s participation, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn more, create a team, and win some fantastic door prizes.

Comment below if you’re signed up for the Challenge!