About Marla

Ever since I can remember, I have had an issue with my body. I was always concerned with what I looked like and did many things to control my weight: over-exercising, under eating, throwing up, cleansing, and restricting certain ‘bad’ foods.  I ‘tried’ the myriad of choices that a desperate woman has. Nothing I did ever helped my disgust and body shame. I would lament, cry, and ultimately sooth myself with food. I was on a cyclical pattern of restricting, overeating, shaming, and repeat.

I remember a particularly miserable day. It was a challenging time in my life, my boyfriend had just left me and my career was nowhere to be found. I was at the gym. I got on the scale to find that I was the thinnest I had ever been; I was shocked! I was so unhappy despite having reached my ideal weight. It was on that day that my illusion was shattered: being thin DID NOT equal being happy! 
I always thought that once I got this ‘food’ thing figured out and I hit that magic number on the scale that my life would be in order, SO NOT TRUE!!!!

During my long road to recovery I have received support in many forms: therapy, Over-eaters Anonymous, family and friends, Positive Thinking Techniques, Reiki, Tantra, self-help books. All of these techniques were helpful however I approached everything backwards. My intention was to look better so that I would feel better. I had it completely switched around and NOTHING got me there.

It was when I FINALLY SURRENDERED that I actually started looking and feeling better. This surrender came as a gift during my pregnancy. My relationship with my body and food changed drastically when I realized I was responsible for my baby’s health and well-being. I began to nourish and care for myself. I listened to my body’s cues for hunger, sleep, and rest and didn’t override it with my own will for weight control. After the pregnancy, my new relationship to my body and food continued. I listened, loved, and cared for myself from a loving place. I love my body more than I ever have and I believe it shows.

My journey has been a long one that I honestly believed would never end. You don’t have to take the long road like I did (or become pregnant). I promise you that you can stop self-hatred actions and change your life. My struggles left me feeling so alone. I didn’t realize how many women struggled just like me. I have found that it doesn't matter the shape or size of a woman, many of us share this disgust for our bodies. Did you know that 4 in 5 women are dissatisfied with their appearance?

There is a way to get from ‘trying’ to love yourself to ACTUALLY LOVING YOURSELF and the way you look. I will hold your hand and pull you out of the cyclical patterns of dieting, emotional eating, body obsession, and binge eating. There is another way of living. I know it because I’m FINALLY living it! You can too! I will teach you how to stop your obsession and create a life that you have always wanted.