If there is one major negative thing that has emerged from recent research on weight loss is that it often leads to weight regain. If done in an unhealthy, unbalanced way, regaining the weight along with a few extra pounds is also a big possibility. This weight regain is not only frustrating but makes any subsequent attempts at weight loss even harder. So, if losing weight often leads to weight regain, wouldn’t weight maintenance be perhaps the better option for some people? Yes. Also, it is important to note, that if you are gaining weight over time, stabilizing your weight […]
Stay AWAY from this emotion to ease health management
I have always been a big advocate that taking pleasure in eating is important for everyone- especially when people are trying to lose weight. At first, some clients find it sounds counter intuitive and they may try embracing the motto eat to live rather than live to eat. HOWEVER, if you are as “live to eat” kind of person, changing this personality trait is a huge task, especially when you are also changing so many other things in your life to try to lose weight. Often, my clients who “love” to eat (foodies!) or who believe they should not want […]
Where to turn when extreme dieting (ultimately) fails
Although I help people every day manage their weight, I also work with people with eating disorders. My counseling techniques do change depending on my client but one thing always remains the same: extreme dieting is bad. Understanding the difference between normal, everyday improvements with eating and extreme dieting can be tricky. Explaining this difference to anyone who does not have a skewed relationship with food (and even to those with this problem) can be a challenge. Extreme dieting is a problem for so many reasons since both physical and mental health is compromised. Unfortunately, a new trend is emerging […]
Learn how to feel in charge of your eating with this simple strategy
Having food rules, diet rules and food restrictions are sadly becoming the norm nowadays. So common, in fact, that it can be hard to even identify the ones you follow. This is especially true if you have been following them for a long time.Food rules can be about what or what not to eat. For example, “I am not allowed to eat chocolate because it is bad”. They can be about restricting the time you can eat. For example “I am not allowed to eat past 7pm”. They can be about how much to eat. For example “If I eat more than […]
When is YOUR vulnerable hour?
So many people get frustrated with their latest “cheat” or guilt trip. After hearing many stories from my clients, it started to become clear to me that there are times during the day in which we are more likely to make food decisions that don’t match our hunger levels (or even our food desires). This “vulnerable” time may be influenced by a number of different factors: low energy levels, high stress levels, the feeling of being over worked and the need for recompensing, the feeling of deprivation after a very low calorie day, etc. If you can identify your most vulnerable time during the […]
Embrace your inner foodie
So many of my clients consider themselves to be foodies and often this love for food is conflicted because it is both enjoyed and hated. Enjoyed because food tastes good and brings them pleasure but hated because they feel it gets in the way of their goals (whether they it weight management, lowering cholesterol or managing blood sugars). I, on the other hand, feel that this title should be embraced to enhance ones health. Foodies love to experience new foods, explore flavor combinations, and don’t want to waste a bite on foods that don’t meet their high expectations. Quality, not […]
Eat what you love, love what you eat INTERVIEW
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the author of “Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle”, a book about eating mindfully and fearlessly. Dr. Michelle May is a physician and a recovered yo-yo dieter who has learned to eat instinctively to help her stay healthy and happy. Her new book has won numerous awards and you can find it both in book stores and online. Look for the link to a sneak peak of Chapter 1 at the end of the interview! For a 1st timer to your concept, how do […]
Everyday eating, even during the holidays
What is the magic, must have food that will guarantee to make us healthy? Is it the satiating power of fiber? the antioxidant rich colour rich berries? or perhaps its the uber exciting potentials of fish oils!? I believe that most people already have a good knowledge base of what to do to live healthier lives: eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less trans fat, move more, avoid too much alcohol, etc… It is not often a lack of knowledge, but more the need for help in developing an action plan to start implementing these changes. These action plans must […]
Hungry for the truth?
Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full. These guidelines may be easy to understand but are definitely harder to follow. The idea of “eating mindfully” is a new trend in the weight management world. The concept draws on our innate ability to listen to our body’s signals of hunger and fullness. However, many of us have stopped listening to these signals a long time ago and have a hard time unscrambling the messages. One step towards clearly hearing and understanding these signals is to first recognize what they are in their physical form. What exactly do […]