In Part 1 of this series, I examined the current discouraging data regarding weight loss. Since it looks pretty bleak out there in the media, I hope to provide an optimistic voice in this arena. Much of what is perceived as “failure” is merely an indication that our current treatment of the issue is faulty.… Read More »
If you want to lose weight to improve your health and feel better, the current climate out there is very discouraging. We are bombarded with studies and statistics telling us that if we lose weight, we will gain it back unless we adhere to an obsessive, joyless regimen for the rest of our lives. So… Read More »
Check out this article about sugar addiction. Many people who struggle with overeating are really responding to an addiction to sugar. There is a real physical dependency that contributes to our difficulty in giving up these foods. The first step to tackling this problem is to mindfully tune in to what is going on in our… Read More »
Do you have to meditate or become a Buddhist to live a mindful life? Will all of your stress go away if you practice mindfulness? Isn’t mindfulness just the next new fad? Should you try to “clear your mind of thoughts?” The answer to all of those questions is “no.” Awhile ago I wrote a… Read More »
There are two ways to approach the process of weight loss: one is from the bottom up, and the other is from the top down. Top-down weight loss is easier and more joyful to sustain. Think of weight loss as a triangle (above). Each tier of the triangle is a weight-loss strategy that–according to systems theory–… Read More »
Or “How to Start a Weight Loss Plan Even if it is the 100th Time You’ve Tried” Consider the following quote from meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg: “It is never too late to turn on the light. Your ability to break an unhealthy habit or turn off an old tape doesn’t depend on how long it… Read More »
Massachusetts General Hospital has a program where its doctors write prescriptions for outdoor activity as a way to improve health (Outdoor Rx). This is one of those “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” moments that has actually materialized. “Wouldn’t it be nice” if doctors handed out prescriptions for walking the dog, hiking, or playing catch rather… Read More »
When I was working in the Marriage and Family Therapy field, we had a guiding principle when it came to treating children: generally speaking, children’s problems are best addressed at the family level. This doesn’t mean that a family is always to “blame” for the child’s problems. Rather, it means that the solution will be most… Read More »
Some diets promise rapid weight loss. Others aim for a slower pace. Does the rate at which we lose weight have any bearing on whether we keep it off? This is a great question. Conventional wisdom has long held that slow, gradual weight loss is more sustainable. However, a new study questions that wisdom: regardless… Read More »
The study of mindfulness as it relates to health is an exciting, emerging field. This study discusses how mindfulness affects a variety of health outcomes. I love the way the researchers define mindfulness: “Mindfulness is defined as a person’s awareness of his or her mental and physical states — one’s thoughts, emotions and needs.” Too… Read More »