Just under four weeks ago the man who loved me first and loved me longest left. At the age of 80, my father, (who had walked 5 miles 10 days prior) died in hospital due to complications from what was supposed to be a rather simple surgery. For years in my early career I counseled people through … Continue reading
It was a watershed moment on the beach years ago when I realized that living in constant misery about the shape of my body was, in fact, far worse and life depleting than any number on the scale ever could be. It was a flash of insight when it became clear that I would continue … Continue reading
You’ve most likely heard of a P.D.A. (public display of affection) but have you heard of a P.D.S.? I found myself experiencing one last week unexpectedly at a YMCA during an aquafit class. P-D-S: Public Display of Sadness. There I was in the middle of a pool with happy, chatting, splashing Seniors when a huge … Continue reading
There is a common expression in therapy circles “what you resist persists” and never have I found that more true than in the realm of food. This is why, for me, dieting is so dangerous and so ineffective. The constant restriction keeps us locked in a constant battle with the object of our obsession…food. We move between periods … Continue reading
There was my hand reaching (for the fifth time) into the bag of M&Ms that was leftover from decorating my son’s birthday cake. It was that same mindless emotional eating experience that I have had many times before where the food feels like both an alluring comfort and an all-powerful adversary …and I don’t even … Continue reading
Most of us have been there. We find ourselves standing in front of an open refrigerator, late at night in search of the next snack to fill the void…only we aren’t physically hungry. We are hungry however, but it is a different sort of hunger. We are hungry for validation, procrastination, approval, excitement, companionship and … Continue reading
Recently a friend brought me to her gym to do a Zumba class with her on a guest pass. As part of the pass a young fitness trainer did an obligatory sales pitch which involved asking me about my goals, the areas I most want to change and eagerly inviting me to step on the scale. … Continue reading
At our youngest age we are fed solely by others in every way. We rely on others to nourish us, feed us, love us, guide us. As adults this role falls primarily on us but so often our focus is pulled to how we can love and nourish everyone around us that we forget to … Continue reading
How much effort and energy do we pour in to trying to manifest better lives for ourselves? Most of our efforts are for goals and plans centered on improving. We spend countless hours thinking about what could be different in our work, our relationships, our home, our kids, our body…And. And. And. At the root of this mental merry-go-round is … Continue reading
I used to spend a great deal of energy trying, in whatever way I could, to suppress and minimize the appearance of my belly; sucking in, zipping up, slouching down, hunching over…you name it. When I began exploring the deeper cravings concepts I learned that my embarrassment was denying me from responding to the countless … Continue reading
