Pumo Wellness 2023: Behavior Change for Weight Management & Improved Health Habits

DeliveryRank chats with Angela Gasbarre, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Pumo Wellness. Angela's journey to becoming a healthy eater started post-college, making her intimately familiar with the struggles of adopting a nutritious diet. Her background spans a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State University and an internship in Harford County, Maryland, leading to a career as a Clinical Dietitian specializing in various health conditions. Pursuing a Masters in Public Health at New York University, she delved into the broader impact of socioeconomic status, environment, and public policy on health. Angela transitioned to corporate wellness, counseling individuals, managing programs, and delivering tailored presentations on nutrition and wellness. Her expertise extends to guiding diverse groups in overcoming barriers to healthy living, and she currently counsels individuals via Telehealth at Pumo Wellness, focusing on behavior change for weight management and improved health habits.

Angela, your journey to becoming a generally healthy eater has been quite a transformation. How has your personal experience shaped the way you approach and relate to your clients' struggles in adopting healthier eating habits?

My counseling approach leans more practical than clinical. While I base my suggestions on evidence-based knowledge, their application stems from my personal journey. I'm passionate about this because I've lived through it—I struggled with poor eating habits and an unhealthy relationship with food. I understand the challenges of making changes, especially when they seem impossible. I firmly believe that regardless of where you are, there's always a starting point to build upon. So, I identify that starting point and collaboratively work toward your goals, making gradual, sustainable adjustments that align with your lifestyle.

Pumo Wellness aims to create or adjust habits that align with individual goals. Could you share some effective strategies or insights you use to help clients transition towards healthier lifestyles while catering to their unique needs?

My primary strategy revolves around starting small and building on established behaviors. Everyone has their starting point, and it varies from person to person. For instance, if someone struggles to have three homemade meals a day but can manage two consistently, that becomes their starting point. Once that becomes a habit, we can progress from two meals to incorporating snacks or moving toward three meals if that's their goal. The same applies to exercise; it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Starting with two days a week for 15 minutes can help establish a routine before setting strict rules.

My second strategy involves focusing on adding healthy foods and behaviors rather than eliminating specific foods or food groups. Adding nutritious foods to someone's diet instead of concentrating on restriction is a positive approach that tends to be more sustainable in the long run.

Your career spans various settings, from clinical dietitian roles to corporate wellness and telehealth counseling. How do these diverse experiences inform your approach to counseling and coaching individuals seeking to improve their health?

Connecting with my clients on a personal level is crucial. We often share more similarities than differences, and I strive to create a safe and comfortable space where clients feel at ease, perhaps even enjoying our journey together. Food, to me, is a beautiful aspect of life that can bring immense joy. Yet, it can also be a significant source of stress for those struggling to incorporate healthy choices into their daily routines, regardless of the setting. Depending on their environment, my clients may have diverse motivations. Some seek self-improvement, aiming to enhance blood sugar control, while others in a corporate setting might be seeking tips or guidance on meal prep. Understanding their motivations and goals is key to finding what truly brings them joy and addressing stressors.

The Pumo de Fiore symbolizes new life and prosperity. How does this symbol resonate with the mission and philosophy behind Pumo Wellness, and how do you incorporate this ideology into your practice?

Embracing new life often begins with improving eating habits, which in turn can boost energy levels and elevate one's overall quality of life. Prosperity, often linked with financial success, actually encompasses a broader definition—feeling successful and thriving. The feeling of wellness can sometimes be overlooked until we experience an improvement, realizing how much better we can feel. As we achieve small successes in feeling better, it often becomes a motivating force to tackle more of our goals and truly thrive. Understanding that this sense of new life and prosperity varies for each individual, I approach my practice by letting my clients take the lead. This allows me to understand their priorities, motivations, and helps me guide them toward living their best life.

Your wellness presentations cover diverse topics tailored to specific groups. How do you adapt your expertise to resonate with different audiences, ensuring your message is both informative and accessible to them?

Accessibility is crucial in the realm of wellness. A healthy lifestyle shouldn't feel unattainable—it's about making it achievable for everyone, regardless of physical, emotional, mental, or financial barriers. I prioritize making my message applicable and relatable by tapping into empathy. Recognizing that everyone faces challenges, I start by understanding my audience: their obstacles in adopting healthier eating habits, the resources they have, their motivations, and even their cultural perspectives on food. Drawing on my background in public health, I aim to provide tailored presentations that offer practical information and tips. My goal is to equip individuals with the tools they need to empower themselves and make the changes they desire in their lives.

If you would like to find out more about Angela Gasbarre, please visit https://www.pumowellness.com/