Are the People in Your Life Making You Fat?

No man is an island – no woman is either for that matter. We live, work and play with others. My question to you is – are those “others” helping or hurting your weight loss efforts?  Health magazine (www.Health.com. January/February2015 issue) recently reported the finding of several studies that tell us that the people in our lives may be making us fat. One study said that if your spouse is obese your chance of becoming obese is 37% greater than if he were slim and another study said if your friend is overweight your chances of being overweight increase by  57% . A study comparing women with children and women without found that women with children ate 400 MORE calories a day than their childless counterparts.  Lastly, it was found that when you go out to eat with 7 or more co-workers you will eat 96% more food than if you ate with fewer people.  WOW! So what can you do? Arm yourself with these facts and plan. Remember to eat based on your physical needs and let the companionship and camaraderie of the people in your life help you meet your emotional ones.

Until next time,
Dr. Sheila

Food and Money

In my work with people who struggle with emotional overeating I am often struck by the financial struggles they tell me about. The words they use to describe their eating, such as “out-of-control”, “never enough”, “I over did it” and “I have to cutback” reflect the very same sentiments they use to describe their money woes. They say things like “I spent too much”, “I don’t earn enough,”  “I don’t have enough,” “I couldn’t stop myself,” “I really wanted it” and “I can’t get enough.”  Why? In my experience people’s relationships with food and money mirror each other. People eat for emotional reasons and they spend for emotional reasons.  If food is used to assuage a poor self-image buying material items can do the same thing. What is your relationship with money? Does it resemble your relationship with food? The good news as you heal your emotional relationship with food may find that your money issues are healing as well.

Until next time,
Dr. Sheila

Positive Self-Talk to Help You Look and Feel Better

There is a field of psychology known as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. CBT, as it is commonly referred to, provides helpful tools and techniques to alleviate many of our major emotional ailments. Among the principles of CBT is the idea that our thoughts cause our distress so if we can change our thoughts we can change how we feel. Using positive self-talk can help you feel better about yourself, your life and your future. You can also use positive self-talk to change your relationship with food. Sometimes referred to as affirmations, positive statements repeated to yourself can change the way you think. Give it a try. Below are 5 positive statements you can use to begin thinking differently about your body, your food and your emotions. If you don’t like these, or they don’t suit your needs, make up new ones. Then throughout the day for the next 7 days repeat these statements to yourself as often as you can. Your mind will thank you for it!

1.       I always eat based on my physical hunger.

2.       I always deal with my emotions directly.

3.        I stop eating when I am physically full.

4.       I take excellent care of my body.

5.        My body looks and feels great.

Until next time,

              Dr. Sheila

Dieting Myths and Mistakes

The Nutrition Action Health Letter (www.cspinet.org) has helped us again with an article about 8 mistakes we make when it comes to managing our weight. The article, which appeared in their April 2015 issue, identified the following mistakes, are you guilty of any on them? (1)It’s ok to eat now because you think you can lose it later; (2) once you lose the weight its off forever and you don; have to keep “trying”; (3) all body fat is the same – it doesn’t matter where you gain it; (4) a serving is a serving; (5) all calories are created equal ;(6) caffeinated drinks and supplements will boost your metabolism enough to offset any extra food you may have eaten ; (7) the perfect diet exists; and (8) you went to the gym so you can have an extra slice of pizza with dinner. NO! NO! NO! All of these statements are false. The key to managing your weight is eating a healthy diet that meets your body’s physical needs and addressing your emotional life in a way that does not involve food. But you knew that already! J

Until next time,

Dr. Sheila