What is your relationship with food? Do you have an unhealthy relationship with food? What word comes into your head right now as you're reading about your relationship with food? Comfort, emotional, joy, happiness, pleasure, celebration, love, shame, secretive, disappointment, anger, or hopelessness? Do you feel shameful after negotiating a
Many people struggle with defining themselves as “good enough” in today’s world regardless of weight. However, those struggling with this, in addition to the scale, can be quite overwhelming. There can be a lot of judgment, shame, and negative self-talk that perpetuates this cycle, especially after losing weight. There’s an assumption that after
Patients report decreased hunger and cravings after bariatric (weight loss) surgery. This results in smaller portions and rapid weight loss for most patients. This period of time is often referred to as the “honeymoon phase,” where most don’t have to work very hard for quick results. However, the length of
This is the time of year when food becomes the center of attention at many gatherings, from grandma’s famous holiday pound cake to Aunt Erma’s dumplings. People show their appreciation by bringing in sweet treats to work, or even giving food as gifts. When celebrations happen, there is bound to
Before bariatric surgery, most of us focused on the food at Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is so much more than food. It is about family, friends, and the many things in our lives to appreciate. During the busy Thanksgiving festivities, take a few minutes to support yourself on your weight loss surgery
"Comparison is the Thief of Joy" - You may have heard that saying before but haven’t really contemplated what it means in regards to the joy in your bariatric surgery journey. Before we even begin our personal weight-loss journey, we often use a comparison in the journeys of others. We get
The decision to have bariatric surgery often follows a significant period of struggle with weight and associated health conditions. The allure of “lose weight fast” fad diets have faded. You realize that you have to do something to gain control of your health. The time you have put into research,
When I first met her before weight loss surgery, “Beth” (not her real name) was excited and hopeful that losing 150 pounds would give her a new lease on life. Specifically, she thought that losing weight would improve her self-esteem, give her the self-confidence she’d never had, and make her
Self-care is a major buzz-word these days as we all try to manage our sanity and our health despite busy schedules and competing demands. But it might be hard to know, what exactly is self-care anyway? You may mistake a massage, a night out with your buddies, or indulging in
Weight loss surgery (WLS) or bariatric surgery is one of the most promising interventions for morbid obesity. However, changing eating habits after the surgery can prove challenging to individuals who emotionally eat. Furthermore, according to research, the general tendency to eat in response to negative emotions is related to poor
