Ursula Ridens RD

About Ursula

Welcome!  I invite you to join with me in your pursuit of healthier living.  I look forward to this journey and seeing you to your destination.  I have worked with many individuals who have dieted during their past but all have discovered that dieting was not a good fit for them.  Dieting seemed to fall short of giving them the lifestyle skills that they needed to maintain their desired level of health and fitness.  I am here today to guide you, using an approach that is, perhaps, not yet as popular as dieting…I’m excited to share with you the non-diet approach.  In our work together you will not only be exposed to the latest science-based nutrition information but also the non-diet approach and intuitive eating.  You will learn the techniques and strategies necessary to meet your unique health goals through the personal coaching and support that you will receive, as well as utilizing the valuable nutrition information that I offer through the Real Living Nutrition Services programs.

So, you may be wondering about my personal story.  I was born and raised in sunny San Diego, California.  While loving the closeness of my family, the weather, and the beauty of San Diego, I decided to stay in my hometown to attend San Diego State University (SDSU).  I graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition in 1999.  I continued on to complete my dietetic internship in 2000 through SDSU and became a registered dietitian in 2001.  As a child, my interest in nutrition came from seeing heart disease and weight struggles in my family.  As a college student, my interest became more specialized in the area of eating disorders as I observed peers wrestling with unhealthy relationships with food and their bodies. 

I have been blessed to have had a range of work experiences which contribute to my knowledge base.  My past work experiences include clinical dietitian for a major hospital system working with acutely ill patients as well as those in long-term care.  I have counseled individuals with heart disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.  I have also developed nutrition programs for both residential and outpatient programs treating eating disorders and have 2 years experience as the nutrition director for a residential eating disorders treatment center.  For the past 7 years, I have been working in private practice, providing nutrition therapy to individuals who struggle with disordered eating, ranging from emotional eating, overeating, binge eating, anorexia, and bulimia, as well as those looking for weight management, sports nutrition, and general health and wellness.  I work with individuals from their teens and on upward into later adulthood.  I have truly found my passion…helping my clients find their way to peace with food and their bodies through normal eating and movement while optimizing their health, energy, and/or performance.

I teach workshops and seminars to various groups including corporations, health professionals, college and high school students, and the community.  With the ever-changing field of nutrition, I keep my professional skills and knowledge current through local networking groups as well as upholding memberships through the American Dietetic Association (ADA), San Diego Dietetic Association, Nutrition Entrepreneur practice group through the ADA, and the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP).  Additionally, I’m an active board member of the San Diego Chapter of IAEDP. 

I am a wife and mother to my 5 year old daughter.  I understand the challenges that come along with “wearing different hats”…wife, mother, career woman, housekeeper, etc.  Good nutrition is one important area of our lives but I believe it’s important to be realistic and realize that the goal is not to be perfect with food or to try to achieve the “perfect” body.  My personal philosophy is to make nutritious choices most of the time, while allowing room for those “fun” foods that many dieters have vowed to avoid.

I look forward to meeting you and guiding you through the steps that you choose to take to reach a healthier you! 

Fun Facts About Me

• I enjoy yearly trips to the desert.

• My favorite food is pizza, favorite dessert is cheesecake, and favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – all of which I do enjoy within reason!

• I have been to Alaska twice, once in the winter…burrrrr and another time in the summer…beautiful!

• I love walking, especially with friends.

• I was a gymnast as a child and through my high school years.

• I used to ride and show horses.

Testimonials

Given Confidence to Make Healthy Food Choices

Ursula is amazing!  She changed my life with regards to food and dieting.  I’ve struggled with food and weight for 40 years.  Food was not my friend.  I’d been on more diets than I can remember and had been to Weight Watchers 20+ times.  One of the major factors in my success in working with Ursula was her coaching me on how to eat healthy based upon the foods that I enjoy and my lifestyle.  We also focused on being healthy rather than “losing weight”.   

I lost 9 pounds, learned to enjoy food, and was given the confidence to make healthy food choices at all times throughout the day and when dining out.  She worked with me on eating more often and provided endless food suggestions.  It was one of the best investments in “me” that I’ve made.

Rosemary- Rancho San Diego, CA

Made Positive Changes at My Own Pace

One of the things that I enjoyed about the Balance Program was that I could work on my health goals at my own pace.  However, the most valuable part for me was Ursula's expertise, guidance, and all of her ideas.  Ursula is a pro!

S.B.

Ditched the Diet and Took on Healthy Living

As a trainer and self-described gym rat I have heard of countless diet programs.  At 46 years old I have tried a few diets myself.  To make a long story short, all of them helped me lose weight but none of them helped me to keep it off.  The Balance Program and Ursula’s coaching has helped me to realize that my nutrition is beyond the number on the scale.  By learning how to balance my meals and meal times, I have been able to better fuel my exercise routine, burn more calories, and maintain a healthy weight.

I always tease people that I've lost 200 pounds but it's always the same 10 pounds!  I lose it, it comes back, I lose it, and so forth.  I have dropped and kept 15 pounds off for over 2 months...through the holiday season and the Super Bowl.  This is no small feat for me.

I have to give credit to Ursula for educating and helping me to realize that by making the right healthy food choices, most of the time, and maintaining an active lifestyle I will lose the pounds and fat, I will gain the muscle and fitness, and my body will find its balance.

Sam C. - Bonita, CA

Want to Work with Ursula?

Just enter her Registered Dietitian Code when you register for one of our programs

Code #: 3013

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