As a counselor, I deal with thoughts, feelings, and mostly the client’s inner world, which is his/her truth. With an eating disorder (or any mental health concern), there are the accompanying thoughts, which at times, can be scary, and most times, definitely negative. Here is the funny thing about thoughts: thoughts are just thoughts. They […]
He said I’m getting fat
When I was about 10 years old, my step-grandmother was married to a lout of a man. I mean he was a real schmuck. He didn’t like people and didn’t want to be bothered by his wife’s new extended family (that’s where I came in). When I came into his den to say hello on […]
Happiness is an Inside Job
I found a lovely picture and positive quote while I was cruising one of my favorite sites, Pinterest. It read “Happiness is an inside job.” I was instantly touched and moved by the picture, and it made me think; how many people are living their lives making sure that they work to experience true happiness? […]
Body Image and the Media
Let’s talk about body image in the media: it’s a term that is loosely thrown around in conversation and in pop culture discourse. Most importantly, body image refers to how each of us perceive our own body, not how it really looks. However, our body image is real to all of us. It is our […]
Brian Cuban shares story of hope in new book
Men who have eating disorders or body dysmorphic disorder often think that they are unusual in battling with these problems. Not so, but until recently it could seem true because very few men were willing to share their stories. Thankfully, Brian Cuban has broken the taboo with his memoir, Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body […]
Family Meals - Who’s in Charge?
Are your family dinners wrought with more tension than a board room? Use this basic guide to determine what you and your children should be responsible for at mealtimes. Please note this is for toddlers through teenagers. The parent is responsible for what, when, where The child is responsible for how much and whether While […]
Drunkorexia: A Risky Cocktail
Have you ever skipped a meal so you can drink alcohol without putting on weight? You may have drunkorexia, a popular term for the combination of excessive drinking and anorexic behaviors. Drunkorexia is linked to body image concerns. That’s why it is particularly common among weight-conscious young women, but muscle-conscious men can have it, too. […]
In a Dancer’s World
In a dancer’s world, body image is everything. The quest to be thinner, lighter, more ethereal takes on a whole new meaning when leotards, tights and often bare legs and chests (for men) are involved. This is the perfect foundation for an eating disorder. The statistics for reported eating disorders in the United States seem […]
A Daughter’s Eyes
It’s no secret that body image can be an issue after pregnancy. In the United States, 40% of mothers reported weight dissatisfaction (Walker 1998). I wasn’t entirely surprised to read this, particularly when I consider the number of physical changes a woman goes through during and after a pregnancy. Couple that with new responsibilities, and […]
Exercise Rigidity- Can You Break Your Rules?
Do you find yourself gazing at the calories burned on the elliptical machine, refusing to let yourself stop until you have hit 500 calories? But once you’re there, why not push yourself to 800 calories burned? If these harsh thoughts arrest your mind you are likely exercising too much and not receiving the wonderful mind-body […]