Cassandra Hamer

Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor

In October of 2022, I applied to become a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. After I got accepted, I studied under the authors of the book Intuitive Eating, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. I completed a 6 month self-study Intuitive Eating course. This included reading their book Intuitive Eating, a 6-week live training program that focuses on the process of facilitating Intuitive Eating, 3 live sessions of supervision/coaching with Evelyn Tribole, and completed the certification with an exam.

My story

My love for exercise started at the very young age of 9-10 years old and quickly spiraled into something that wasn't healthy. From then until age 25, I always had the goal of shrinking my body through exercise and restriction. I remember the very moment in fourth grade when I decided that I was not happy with my body, and that I needed to revolve my world around trying to change it. I started weighing myself obsessively, body checking before and after every meal, over exercising, weighing and measuring all foods, counting calories, binging, purging, and so much more. All of my thoughts were quickly consumed by food, exercise, and my body. At the age of 25, I finally asked for help and I am so thankful I did!

Why I decided to get help

I feel so thankful I received the help and resources I needed in order to heal. I wanted help for many reasons. I knew I couldn't do it on my own. I knew what would make me better, but I needed someone to give me the permission to let go of the things that were doing so much harm and damage to me. My eating disorder had an affect on my relationships with family, friends, and my significant other. Right before I decided to get help, I met my boyfriend Michael. I knew Michael was a very special person from the day we met. I knew he was someone I would someday marry and have children with. That pushed me to get help along with wanting to do it for my parents and sister. I wanted to get help for me, but I also knew I needed to do it for my family and Michael. I couldn't stand the thought of my disordered relationship with food, exercise, and my body affecting someone else, especially not our future children. I knew I needed to do it for me, but I also knew I needed to do it for us.