Christmas is upon us once again. Every year, I am struck by the generosity I see in others this time of year. I see people donate money, time and much needed items to people who are grateful for clean socks and warm clothes. It makes me wonder why we don’t take opportunities all year long […]
I should lose weight. I should eat better. I should exercise. He or she should do that. Sound familiar? We use the word should quite a bit. Should is an off-limits word in my office because it is dangerous. When we use the word should, we create an expectation. This is mostly unconscious. We usually […]
Most people become detached from their emotions. We constantly distract ourselves to avoid life. We use many distractions, but food seems to be one of the most powerful. How many times have you found yourself in a stressful situation and start fantasizing about food? When we are feeling stressed or sad, food can temporarily improve […]
I work with many clients who have battled their weight for many years. They often feel like getting to their ideal weight is so far out of their reach that they struggle to maintain motivation. This is particularly true if they have never experienced a weight where they felt good about themselves. They can’t even […]
Although experts cannot agree whether or not food is “addictive”, the evidence suggests that we do, to a lesser extent than say cocaine or heroin, show similarities in behavior with food. For example, food “addicts” or compulsive overeaters often experience: Obsession or preoccupation with food Compulsive thoughts or behaviors regarding food despite negative consequences Using […]
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of six weeks of gluttony for most people. Over the years, we have heard shocking statistics of weight gain over the holidays. Some sources have reported an average of 5 to 10 pounds. More recently, it seems that weight gain is more likely to be 1-5 pounds. This doesn’t have to […]
I see a lot of stress management issues come up for clients and friends. It seems like people start to feel trapped in their own lives due to stress. When faced with stressors, we generally let go of all of the things that tend to keep us balanced like sleep, exercise, healthy eating and social […]
We find food comforting period. It is comforting for several reasons. It tastes good, it makes us feel good. In our culture, holidays and most celebrations or events center around food. A birthday isn’t a birthday without candles and a cake to go with it. The dinner table is one of the only times families […]
Do you ever feel like you are going through life stuck like a hamster on a wheel? Sometimes it can start to feel like Groundhog Day. We tend to do the same thing over and over. We eat the same food and every day can literally feel the same as the day before. We need […]
How many of you have lost weight only to gain it back and then some? As we look at the history of structured diet programs, there is also a history of increased rates of obesity. Coincidence? I think not! There is well published research indicating that when people engage in a weight loss program and […]
Michelle Lewis has been working in the mental health field since 2001. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Weber State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. She is passionate about helping others achieve their goals. Read more