Elizabeth Somer, M.A., is a registered dietitian who has carved a unique professional niche as one of the few, if not only, dietitians who is well-versed in nutrition research. For 25 years, she has kept abreast of the current research, packaging that information into easy-to-read books, magazine articles, lectures, continuing education seminars, and practical news for the media.
Elizabeth Somer has written nine books. Her latest is Eat Your Way to Happiness. We both share the same fantastic editors at Harlequin. For the past year they have been raving about Elizabeth both personally and professionally, and I wanted to meet her myself.
You will love Elizabeth’s “I’ve Still Got It!” moment! It is a reminder to embrace the surprises in life!
Question: What inspired you to dedicate your life to nutrition?
Elizabeth: I had always been interested in health and after stepping down from my last
career, I investigated the option of nutrition. It must have been the right
choice because everything I needed, from sequence classes at the university
to part-time jobs in the nutrition field to pay for my tuition all fell into
place from the very start. I graduated in record time as a result and
immediately got a job in nutrition education.
Question: How would you describe your nutrition philosophy?
Elizabeth: I am passionate about taking care of our bodies. Put high quality fuel into
them and they will repay us a million-fold well into our 80s and beyond with
unlimited energy, happiness, joy, and disease/medication-free health.
Question: What separates your books from other “diet” books?
Elizabeth: My books are based in sound and thoroughly reviewed research, so you can
trust that the information is accurate and, most importantly, I promise if
you follow the advice you will feel, think, look great today and down the
road.
Question: When you hit your 40s (assuming you are in your 40s, you barely look
30) did you have to eat differently? Why? Why not?
Elizabeth: I am 60-years-old. No, I’ve eaten well since my early 20s. My cholesterol
did take a jump after menopause at 55, but by cutting back on cheese and
desserts, I got it to drop back down to below 200mg/dl. I am on no
medications and feel as good, if not better, than I did in my 20s and 30s.
Question: Do you believe eating healthy can help women going through menopause?
Elizabeth: Absolutely. Other than a few hot flashes, I sailed through menopause. No
mood swings, no fatigue, no weird food aversions. I even lost 10 pounds and
have kept off the weight. It’s not just diet that I attribute the ease of
menopause. I also exercise daily.
Question: What is your secret to being healthy, happy and fit?
Elizabeth: I am enormously grateful. Every day I am so thankful for all I have that it
typically brings me to a moment of tears. I work at that joy with positive
thoughts, eating well, lots of exercise, surrounding myself with wonderful
family and friends, taking chances and jumping at most adventures that come
along, working at a job I love, living in the country with red-tail hawks
and deer in my yard.
Question: What do people do to sabotage good eating? How can they overcome it?
Elizabeth: I wrote the book on this one! (10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman’s Diet) In a
nutshell, we eat mindlessly, lie about what we eat to ourselves and others,
give lipservice to exercise and vegetables then gorge on junk, value the
care of our cars more than ourselves, have no plan for how to succeed at
permanent weight loss, jump on every stupid fad diet bandwagon that comes
along, have an excuse for why we don’t get around to exercise or why we don’t
deserve to eat better, have an all-or-nothing attitude toward dieting, and
drink away our waistlines with bottled sugary drinks and alcohol.
Question: What are your passions outside of good nutrition?
Elizabeth: Life! Family, friends, exercise, my kids, biking, hiking, traveling the
world, doing television, having dinner in a nice restaurant, drinking wine,
taking walks, movies, good music, dancing, gardening, …..the list is
endless.
Question: What advice do you have for female baby boomers who want to lose
weight?
Elizabeth: Eat real food, not processed, exercise every day, and your weight will take care of itself.
Question: What is YOUR “I’ve Still Got It!” moment?
Elizabeth: I have always been happy and full of energy. But, by a year or two after my
divorce, it was clear to me that I was much happier, felt sexier, was more
confident and comfortable in my own skin than I had ever been. That regained
joie de vivre and passion must have sent out waves to the universe because
almost two years ago a very dear friend came back into my life, almost as if
it was destined, and we are madly in love. And, there is nothing like great
sex to put the spring back in any girl’s stride, no matter what her age!
Elizabeth Sommer still has it and is going strong! What’s YOUR “I’ve Still Got It!” story?
Leave a reply and inspire others.
More on Elizabeth
www.elizabethsomer.com
www.twitter.com/elizabethsome
