by Robin De-Ivy Allen
Food is more powerful than I could have ever imagined; in both positive and less than positive ways.

I never realized before personally dropping 40 pounds how great a healer food is. I also didn’t realize before embarking on this journey as a Nutritional Consultant, just how many people use food for other purposes than what it is intended for.

As a Certified Nutritional Consultant and an expert in nutritional wellness and life design, I meet lots of clients that are eager to drop pounds and learn how to improve their eating habits. During this past year there seems to be a theme going on. Of course, I’m meeting more clients who are concerned about losing their jobs or clients who are eagerly seeking new employment options. They are coming to me because they want to reinvent themselves. In this time of economic uncertainty and high unemployment, job seekers must be willing to do all that they can to out shine the competition.

Does a slimmer more physically fit person have a better chance in securing a position versus someone else who may be overweight? Is it truly possible to eat your way to a new job; using the power of food and nutrition to actually make yourself more marketable as an employment candidate? I recently conducted a survey of more than 1000 people to see if my theory is true.

Yes, it is true. 68% of responders believe that a thinner more fit person would receive a job offer versus an equally qualified candidate who appeared less fit and perhaps overweight. Although illegal, 58% of those same responders believe that potential employers sometimes discriminate against applicants based on size and weight.

Research does show that a less healthy employee poses more of a potential risk for worker compensation injuries, absenteeism, and increased healthcare claims. Research also shows that people who eat well and take care of themselves have more confidence, energy, clarity and focus, allowing them to meet their goals.

Lisa, a former client called recently to tell me about the new position she received in Forestry. “I know that I would not have been able to handle this position when I was 20 pounds heavier. This has always been my dream job. I just didn’t have the energy and stamina to do it before. I would not have been a viable candidate.”

Another client, Janice, whose journey to wellness and weight management will be chronicled in an upcoming reality show starting this summer, was recently laid off from her job of 12 years. “My job really was the entire focus on my life”, she says. “Now I am at a place in which I must totally reinvent myself. Part of this reinvention is taking the time to invest in myself mentally and physically, so that I am prepared to get back into the job market and the next phase of my life.”

5 Steps To Reinvention

Step #1

Wake up and sit quietly for 15 minutes to visualize your success.

Step #2

Eat within an hour of waking up. This will jump start your metabolism and get your body in gear to burn fat throughout the day.

Step #3

Have an egg white omelet filled with vegetables, 1 cup of cooked oatmeal with flaxseeds, a piece of fruit, a liter of water and your daily multivitamin and an antioxidant.

Step #4

Eat every four hours that you are awake; each meal having a balance of lean protein and vegetables. Drink a liter of water with each meal as well.

Step #5

Read something that is in alignment with the person you truly desire to be just before you go to bed.

If you adhere to these steps for the next seven days, I guarantee that you will not only drop pounds, but you will also be on your way to a new level of excellence.

Go ahead, get started! Eat your way to a new job!

Robin De-Ivy Allen is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and the founder of Necessary Nutrition, a company dedicated to helping improve the eating habits of millions of people and their families. She shows her clients how to use food and nutrition to reach their personal and professional goals. Robin can be reached at Robin@NessyNutri.com or visit www.NessyNutri.com.