NutrActive's Fitness Trainer & Dietitian
Laura is enthusiastic about promoting good health. Read her four-part series below, which includes her professional bio, personal story, philosophy on health-related decision-making, and a brief statement on faith.
PROFESSIONAL BIO
Laura S. Garrett, RDN, PFT, CES, is based in the Collin County, Texas, area and is nationally recognized as a nutrition and fitness expert.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University (class 94) and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition from The University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center at Dallas Southwestern Allied Health Sciences School (class 97), where she also completed her dietetic internship.
Laura has been certified for personal training through The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, the American Council on Exercise, and currently, NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association).
Additionally, Laura is certified as a Corrective Exercise Specialist through the Biomechanics Method by Justin Price.
Professionally, Laura has worked with clients 1-on-1 since 1998, published online as NutrActive since 1999, blogged as Consequently Fit since 2018, and is now venturing into remote training via Video Chat and an app customizable to any client's needs related to nutrition and fitness.
Credential Summary:
RDN = Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
PFT = Personal Fitness Trainer
CES = Corrective Exercise Specialist
MY STORY
I developed an interest in nutrition and fitness at a young age. I was always involved in sports, played outside until sunset, and rode my bike wherever possible. I was always doing something active.
The overall tweaking of my nutrition habits began at age 12 with the removal of sweets. A year later, I committed to eliminating other junk foods.
Keep in mind my age. My parents were highly concerned. This was in the '80s. Healthy eating was not a widespread public concern back then. Regardless, I held to these changes because I just felt better.
Around the same age, running became an interest, although not quite a passion. I distinctly remember my first 1-mile race. I collapsed after crossing the finish line. I felt like I was about to die! Today, I have completed a few marathons and several half marathons and love running, if for nothing else, to maintain my overall well-being.
My diet consists of many whole fruits, veggies, grains, and healthy fats, and I am a pescatarian (a.k.a., "vegetarian" who eats fish). I have maintained a junk-free diet, although chocolate does stop my sweet tooth.
THE PHILOSOPHY
I believe health is directly related to the choices we make.
Like it or not, every choice you make daily affects your health. I hate labeling choices as good or bad, but in reality, there are some positive outcomes to the right kind of choices, "good," and some adverse outcomes to the wrong type of choices, "bad."
That's a little wordy, but here's what I mean. Consistently choosing to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day will result in poor health outcomes:
Increased risk of stroke and brain damage; various types of cancer; shortness of breath, coughing, chronic bronchitis; emphysema; heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure; and the list goes on and on.
Smoking's effects are well documented. No one can say the effects are positive. Therefore, this is a bad habit. On the flip side, regular exercise effects health in a very positive way:
Increased lung capacity, improved cardiovascular functions, stronger and more toned muscles, decreased body fat, and better cognitive health. These are all positive effects. Therefore, regular exercise has to be considered a good habit.
So, while I don't like labeling life choices "good" or "bad," it is undeniable that there are choices that are to be considered good and choices that are to be considered bad. My goal as a dietitian and fitness trainer is to help you improve your choices for the better so you may reach your goals of achieving good health through good choices that will last a lifetime.
MY FAITH
The "About Me" would not be complete without writing a statement about my faith.
I am a Christian who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and is the only ticket into Heaven.
We are all sinners in this broken world.
Jesus paid the price in full when He died on the cross for our transgressions, then rose from the dead three days later.
He knew no sin but took on ours so that we may know everlasting life.
"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
--Ephesians 4:32
Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
RDs and RDNs are food and nutrition experts who have met the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) criteria to become credentialed through the completion of academic, supervised practice, and examination requirements. RD and RDNs work in a wide variety of settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice.