Weight Management

I've been a registered dietitian since 1998, and I've seen many diets come and go. I have a lovely collection of diet books I've picked up at thrift stores, dating back to the 1970s. I believe that if diets  really worked, no one in the United States would need to be dieting! 

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Unfortunately, dieting rarely succeeds. Dieting is grounded in first-order change. First-order change is when you do something in order to get something, not because you want to change for the right reasons. People usually diet in order to get to a certain weight or size, typically for the approval of others. In order to reach the weight or size, they change their lifestyle behaviors in some way, usually by restricting their eating. Once they reach the desired weight, they return to their previous lifestyle behaviors, and the weight they've lost returns.

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My focus is on second-order change. Second-order change happens when you make a change because you believe it's the right thing to do. My goal in working with clients is to help them find ways to enjoy healthy eating, physical activity, get enough rest, and drink plenty of water.

 

I also work with clients to address the thoughts and feelings that come up as they take care of their bodies. We work together to develop a healthy, happy relationship between mind and body. We talk about how to stop the yo-yo cycle of shaming and ignoring your body and its needs, and instead focus on being a caring parent to their physical self. 

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I do find that keeping a food record, with a sense of curiosity and compassion, is helpful for developing and improving eating awareness. Food records often provide clients a wealth of information about their thoughts and feelings about food, nutrition, body image, relationships with others, and more. Beyond that, I encourage clients to listen to their health care provider's recommendations, but to also be aware of their own hunger and fullness, and communicate their body's needs to their health care provider. 

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Do you want to learn how to create a healthy lifestyle that supports a healthy weight? Click here for information on healthy living, weight management, and quick and easy-to-prepare healthy recipes. Or click here for information on my online classes in weight management and healthy cooking.