Today we’d like to introduce you to Lia Chiccehitto.
Lia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story actually starts when I was really young. For as far back as I can remember, I’ve been interested in health and nutrition. Even in elementary school, I would play a computer game called 5-a-Day that involved matching fruits and veggies to the parts of the body they supported. I loved it! Closer to high school I became a lot more interested in nutrition, swapping out ingredients in recipes for healthier ones; reading health and nutrition articles online; and subscribing to magazines like Prevention. I was probably the only 14-year-old that knew about flax eggs, but hey – you have to start somewhere, right?
Unfortunately, my interest in nutrition coupled with poor body image and anxiety led me down a path of eating disorders and disordered eating patterns for most of my teenage years and early 20’s. They were all-consuming, and at the time I thought there was no way I’d ever be able to eat “normally” again. Even after I was able to get back to a healthy weight, I felt like my mind was always occupied by food. I kept track of everything I ate; exercised to “burn and earn” calories, and still placed a lot of value on how I looked instead of how I felt.
Flash forward to today, and I’ve thankfully been able to reach a place where I maintain my weight without much thought. I eat much more freely, without the rules and rigidity to which I was once tied. I choose to eat healthy most of the time, but I’ll also let loose and enjoy a heaping plate of pasta with wine and feel zero guilt! I’ve realized our bodies are much wiser and more resilient than we give them credit for. Our bodies are meant to self-regulate – it really doesn’t matter so much if we don’t eat enough one day or eat a little too much another day.
And that’s what I want to help women understand – we don’t need diets, food rules, and “cheat days.” If weight loss is your goal, you’ll naturally lose weight as you start to understand and nurture your body. Small and mighty mindset shifts and simple tweaks to your daily habits will get you to where you want to be. The process isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not a quick fix, but the results are lasting and completely transforming!
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting a business from scratch is a lot harder than I ever anticipated! You always hear about all the “hats” you have to wear as an entrepreneur, especially in the beginning. But I definitely underestimated the extent of this!
On any given day, on top of being a nutritionist, I am a website designer, graphic designer, Pinterest manager, online marketer, copywriter, PR manager, food photographer, accountant/ bookkeeper, and CEO. These are all skills I’ve had to put a lot of time into learning, developing, and implementing. Sometimes (ok a lot of times) it can be really overwhelming!
I’m learning a lot about myself through the process, though, and am learning how to manage my time and prioritize a little better. It’s been a challenge, but it’s been a fun and exciting learning game at the same time!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I started Lia Nicole Nutrition & Wellness to help women like me break free from the dieting cycle. Think of a pendulum – when it came to food, I used to swing from one side to the other without so much as a pitstop in the middle. And I know so many other women who feel this way.
They’re “on plan” or “sticking to their diet” only to find themselves spoon deep in a jar of peanut butter or a gallon of ice cream later. Naturally, we think the answer to feeling out of control is to control our food or exercise even more. But that just perpetuates the cycle and leaves us feeling frustrated, exhausted, and ashamed of our apparent lack of self-control or self-discipline.
In a nutshell, I help women find the sweet center of the pendulum. We work together to identify what’s leading them to overeat and help them implement small mindset and habit changes to move them closer to their goals (and to the center of the pendulum).
Looking back, I’m able to appreciate my journey with food and struggles with my weight because they allow me to connect with and understand my clients that much more. I think my approach to nutrition, eating, and weight loss is different than most other nutritionists’. I focus less on what’s “right” and more on what’s “right for you.”
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love having a small business in San Diego! There are so many other ambitious entrepreneurs and a lot of great free and low-cost resources. From SCORE workshops and Meetups to BNI chapters and co-working spaces, I feel like San Diego has a great mix of networking opportunities and education for small business owners.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lianicole.com
- Phone: 540-533-2228
- Email: lianicolenutrition@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lianicolenutrition/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lianicolenutrition/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/lianicolenutrition/
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