Meet Char-Lee
A Healthy Mind and Body Starts Today
As a Registered Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist, I made a commitment to evidence-based practice. After studying nutrition and exercise physiology for the past 7 years and reviewing research I have come to the conclusion that weight is not an accurate determinant of health. I believe focusing on weight is unnecessary, disadvantageous, and harmful to individuals and our society as a whole. I take a weight-neutral approach to my practice.
We Can Improve Health Without Weight Loss
Research shows that we can improve our health without losing weight. When we adopt healthful habits such as; eating intuitively, moving joyfully, and practicing body acceptance we see improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and self-esteem regardless of a change in weight. When we adopt behaviors that contribute to good health our bodies may lose weight, gain weight, or stay the same. It is our bodies job to settle at a set-point weight and our job to respect our body with good care regardless of it’s size.
Mental Health
A large part of healing our relationship with food and body is to cultivate our mental health. Together we’ll build skills to cope with life’s ups and downs. This may include working with a licensed therapist to uncover trauma and understand your struggle with body image, weight and food. When we’re healthy mentally we’re able to respect our bodies and use tools to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Body Movement
Move your body with thankfulness for the gift of movement! Celebrate your ability to move with activities that you enjoy. Focus on how you feel when you move. Have fun and forget about militant exercise!
Intuitive Eating
Become reacquainted with the hunger regulation system your body was created. Start a personal process of respecting your health by paying attention to the messages of your body and meeting your physical and emotional needs.
My Story
Hey! I'm Char-Lee Cassel, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
I’m passionate about working towards the goal of being an intuitive eater with my clients. I'm also a Christian, a wife, and a mother. Let me tell you, I have been on a journey. Years ago, in an effort to prove my worth, I pushed myself to manipulate my body shape and size. My identity was wrapped up in my performance at the gym and my ability to eat a "perfect" diet. I stressed about my ability to stick to my plan all day every day. If I made "good" food and exercise choices, then I was good. But when all the restriction and militant exercise became too much, I broke down. I couldn't keep up. I'd eat something that wasn't on the plan or missed a workout.
Then, I completely fell apart. One bite of something would turn into hours of eating everything that was off-limits. When guilt and shame became all encompassing, I would punish myself by eating more food until I was physically ill. This cycle put so much stress on my body that in 2015 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that left me with severe fatigue and joint pain.
My identity was shattered. I couldn't hold onto a barbell and my "perfect" diet had failed me. I thank God for this wakeup call! After this diagnosis I learned about intuitive eating and I started letting go of controlling my body. I now understand my true identity, and am free from the bondage of body obsession. I use the principles of Intuitive Eating to nourish, respect, and care for my body. Nothing brings me greater joy than helping others to do that same!
Unique Framework
I work with clients one on one, in groups, and through online courses. Together we learn and grow through study, applying the principles of intuitive eating, and learning what works best for your body, your life, and your goals. I teach with counseling sessions, instructional videos, workbooks, challenges, experiments, journal prompts, and more. My programs incorporate evidence-based nutrition and exercise practices.