Get to know the Team: Alexandra, Our Advanced Weight Loss Extraordinaire

how long have you been a Nutritional Therapist?

Since 2020.

What led you to train in this field?

I always had a keen interest in food and health, which lead me to study Food Science and Nutrition for my initial BSc. From this I worked in the food industry, which sounds like a dream job - travelling the world and tasting chocolate and desserts as a product developer. However, the high sugar "working" diet soon took a toll on my own health and hormones. Restoring my own health reignitied my passion to study nutrition further, completing my MSc Personalised Nutrition. I couldn't believe how much there was to know about how our unique body works and interacts with it's environment, how understanding this can be so empowering for our health and getting to the root cause of symptoms. 

What is your absolute passion and who do you LOVE to work with? I love the intricacy of hormones, female health and supporting areas such as weight, fertility, menstrual cycles and hormones.  
What is your most important tip for effortless Weight Wellness? Truly understanding the "why". In our society, we can be so conditioned to thinking, " I need to lose x kg of weight" / fit into a certain size / lose weight for a holiday/wedding etc., but unless we get to the crux of the desire it can be really hard to stay motivated and achieve goals. This also really helps us to identify limiting beliefs around this. Secondly, weight loss is personalised - what works for your friend, won't necessarily work for you. Understanding your key drivers and areas to support is key and finally lets you escape the yo-yo diet rollercoasted. 

What does your morning routine look like? Busy, with a young family and very energetic dog! But, I always know some non-negotiables that make me feel so much better for the day ahead. The key one is a protein-rich balanced breakfast, trying to get out in daylight first thing (usually combined with hanging out washing), some breathwork where possible and a mindful cup of something warm. 

What’s in your regular supplement regime?It really varies, depending on what is going on. I like to keep an eye on levels and utilise functional testing and blood work that I use with clients on myself. So I vary things up depending on this. Magnesium bisglycinate is nearly always there! But I'm a firm believer in the fact that supplements need to be personalised. 
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? To pause, and try to live in the moment.  

What ‘selfish’ thing do you regularly try to do, that is just for you?  I love hot yoga and this definitely helps to keep me balanced (mentally and physically)! 

What’s your biggest gripe about the area you work in?

The nutrition noise - there is always a headline, latest social media trend, food being demonised / the latest hero food etc - and it is no wonder people are confused about what they should / shouldn't be eating. 

What are you reading at the moment? I've resorted to audio fiction books, as with a young toddler sitting down to read never seemed to happen. I'm trying to finish Birds without wings in time for a little book club that runs on our street. 

I always have some non-fiction nutrition / wellbeing books on the go. It's always nice to be able to recommend any to clients. The Food Mood Connection is an interesting one I've just finished.  

What do you do for fun? Spending time with my family, friends, and dogs! If it's in a hot, sunny climate...even better.

Who would play you in a romantic comedy? Firstly, I'm terrible with names of actors. Secondly, I'd just be impressed they could even make a film about my normal life so I'd take anyone!