It’s a few days before Memorial Day Weekend, and “Swimsuit Season” is about to begin. Will you venture out to the beach in a bikini, will you be seen in a swimsuit at the pool? Or, will this be yet another summer that you “hide” underneath long-sleeved t-shirts and ankle-length crop-pants, hoping that no one will look at your body, which you deem “disgusting”?

As an eating disorder clinician, it breaks my heart when I hear my clients criticize their bodies in ways that they never would say to another person – not even their worst enemy. Sadly, some of my clients were told by their parents, siblings, or so-called friends that they were “chubby,” that they “needed to get the fat off,” or that they were “such a stick” and needed to put on some weight. If it’s not people my clients know, it’s the “comparing game” played with models, celebrities, and other “ideal” images portrayed in the media.

As someone who has struggled with body image issues, which only fueled the fires of my eating disorders, I am so grateful to be free of the extremely detrimental effects of body shaming. I’d like to share a few things that helped me to improve my body image, so that I could feel comfortable and confident in a swimsuit. Guess what – it had nothing to do with changing my weight, or anything else about my body. It had everything to do with changing my MIND.

Having a positive body image has nothing to do with how you look and what you weigh.  It has everything to do with what you THINK about how you look and what you weigh.  How else can you explain a situation where you “felt fine” and then suddenly “felt fat”?  Did you instantly gain 50 pounds?  No!  But you may think you have. Or, that you have 50+ pounds that you think you “should” lose. Perhaps you think you’re “too skinny and scrawny.” The key is to imagine feeling good in your body.  Size has nothing to do with this.

As previously mentioned, it’s a few days before Memorial Day. I invite you to CHALLENGE the body myths that you have. Gently notice where these judgments came from? Are they helping you to live the life that you truly desire? Who set the “rule” that you have to look a certain way in order to wear a swimsuit – isn’t that why there are so many sizes and styles? Who determined the “weight criteria” to lay in the sun or swim in the ocean – will there be a scale at the beachfront?

BODY IMAGE TIP: TRY THIS VISUALIZATION:  Read through it first, and then guide yourself through it.  Close your eyes and just breathe, relaxing into the moment.  Imagine the last glimpse you had of yourself in the mirror.  Now, get a deeper sense of your body, beyond the image in the mirror.  What physical sensations are you aware of in your body?  Notice the beating of your heart, the movement of your breath, and any other sensations amidst your body’s seeming stillness.  What are the various things that you can do with your body? Imagine all of the different ways your body can move – walking, bending, stretching, running, lifting, climbing, and so much more. How does your body serve you and others? Get a sense of what your body allows you to do and be, and you interact with people throughout a typical day. What is the purpose of your body, at its current size?  Move beyond any judgments about your body’s size, and notice the advantages of being exactly the size you are right now. How can you be your best Self, in your current body? Pause now, and reflect about what it means to be in your body, in this moment. As you imagine wearing a swimsuit, notice the immediate thoughts that come up. Just notice them, without attaching to them. Reflect about where you learned these thoughts. Imagine what it would be like to be free of these thoughts. After all, these are not really YOUR thoughts. And, if you are going to claim a thought which is not your own, how about this one: “YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO WEAR A SWIMSUIT YOU LOVE, AND GO TO YOUR FAVORITE OCEAN (lake, river, pool, backyard sprinkler), AND LOVE YOUR EXPERIENCE!” Why “weight”…

*****

Article may be reprinted with the author bio below.

©2019 by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. Dr. Dorie is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is passionate about training professionals to effectively guide clients in recovery from eating disorders, through her Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ Certified program. She also provides sessions for clients who struggle with these issues, either in person or by phone. Learn more at: https://www.drdorie.com

*****

Dr. Dorie’s UnDiet™ can help undo the damage that diets can do – including negative body image.
LEARN MORE

Want more that this “taste” of EDIT™? Dr. Dorie is passionate about her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ to help people overcome eating disorders and addictions.  She provides customized programs for people in recovery from eating disorders and who struggle with weight issues, and  EDIT™ eating disorder training and certification for coaches and clinicians worldwide. CALL 303-494-1975 – EMAIL DR. DORIE – GET CERTIFIED

The post Improve Body Image in a Swimsuit appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

Binge Eating Disorder and weight loss goals tend to surface with New Year’s Resolutions. However, your therapist tells you, “Trying to lose weight can trigger binge eating.” And, your dietitian tells you, “Cutting calories too much can trigger binge eating.” But you’re wondering,”I’ve gained so much weight because of binge eating, so how can I lose this excess weight in a healthy way?”

Based on my 20+ years of clinical experience in the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder and Obesity, as well as my own personal experience overcoming these issues, I have some Binge Eating Disorder and Weight Loss Success Strategies to share with you.

1. Stop Trying to Lose Weight. You’re probably thinking, “But I want to lose weight!” As strange as it may seem, weight loss happens when you stop trying so hard to make it happen. Allow weight loss to be an outcome of other goals, such as reducing or eliminating binge eating.
2. Don’t Diet or Forbid Food. Many people with Binge Eating Disorder attempt to restrict or forbid certain foods (usually the foods they tend to binge eat). However, deprivation eventually triggers binge eating. The key is to have “permission to have” all foods in moderate amounts.
3. Learn Mindfulness Meal Skills. Binge Eating Disorder typically involves rapidly eating large quantities of food. Incorporating mindfulness skills at mealtimes can help to restore balance to the quantity and quality of food consumed. There are many books about mindful eating – and our therapists and dietitians at Positive Pathways can give you 1-on-1 guidance.
4. Incorporate Intuitive Eating Practices. Intuitive eating is NOT eating whatever you want, whenever you want – that’s impulsive eating, which is common in Binge Eating Disorder. Intuitive eating involves tuning in to your body’s feedback before, during and after eating. With practice, you will discover a “way of eating” which allows your body to have enhanced energy, heathy digestion, and weight loss as a natural outcome.
5. Enjoy Meaningful Movement. Forget about exercise to burn calories. Focus on moving your body in ways that feel good to you, so that you’ll actually want to move more. Consider gentle movements, such as stretching, walking, and yoga. Look for beginner yoga classes in your local area – and watch for classes coming soon to Positive Pathways!

You can overcome Binge Eating Disorder and weight loss can be a natural outcome. Keep your focus on Binge Eating Disorder recovery, and trust your body to find its way to a healthy weight.

*****

Article may be reprinted with the author bio below.

©2019 by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. Dr. Dorie is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is passionate about training professionals to effectively guide clients in recovery from eating disorders, through her Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ Certified program. She also meets with clients at her treatment center, Positive Pathways PLLC, located in Evergreen Colorado. Learn more at: https://www.drdorie.com

*****

Want more that this “taste” of EDIT™? Dr. Dorie is passionate about her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ to help people overcome eating disorders and addictions.  She provides customized counseling for eating disorders and alcohol / drug addiction at her Positive Pathways treatment center in Evergreen, Colorado – and EDIT™ eating disorder training and certification for coaches and clinicians worldwide. CALL 303-494-1975 – EMAIL DR. DORIE – GET CERTIFIED

The post Binge Eating Disorder and Weight Loss appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

I’d like to introduce you to Janelle Hunt, who is a Registered Dietitian and an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician. Janelle worked with me at my previous office location in Denver, Colorado. She is a knowledgeable and compassionate clinician, who specializes in nutritional counseling for people in recovery from eating disorders. She guides her clients to learn the real facts about nutrition – in this article, you’ll learn the facts about fats. If you’re “hungry for more,” please contact Janelle about becoming a client (see bottom of article).
– Dr. Dorie

My name is Janelle Hunt, MS, RD – and I’m a Registered Dietitian who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. In some of my other blogs, I discussed how essential it is to consume carbohydrates and protein. Now let’s look at another vital macronutrient – fat. Yep, the forbidden word, fat! It seems like currently the media is on a ‘carbohydrates are bad’ kick but many of us recall the 90’s fat-free craze. Almost all food naturally containing fat, became fat free. Cheese would no longer melt, potato chips caused gastrointestinal problems because of the Olestra being added instead of fat and our pans were never the same again as even oil or degreasers were forbidden. Even though the media moved onto different trends, this fad still hangs in the back of our minds and I often have clients who are still convinced that fat is bad.

To answer the common question, Will Eating Fat Make Me Fat – let’s review the different types of fats:

Saturated: found in animal-based products and tropical oils – meat, eggs, dairy, palm oil and coconut oil. They are typically solid at room temperature. These used to be thought of as bad fats but more studies are showing that as long as these are consumed in moderation, they are not harmful.

Unsaturated (poly, mono and omega’s): typically found in plant oils as well as fatty fish – olives, nuts, seeds, avocados, salmon and tuna. These are known for having huge health benefits. They are being used to treat schizophrenia and depression, prevent blindness, decrease cholesterol levels and help with healthy skin and hair.

Trans Fat (partially hydrogenated fat): manufactured fat found in processed foods. Because this is not a natural fat, the body does not know how to process them properly, therefore these fats are linked to increased risk of heart disease. As of June 18, 2018, all partially hydrogenated fat must be eliminated from food.

Fat is essential for many reasons. To begin with, it provides the amazing flavors and smells when we cook. Three pounds of our brain is water. If we removed the water, we have over half of the brain containing fat which includes cholesterol and unsaturated fat. This is critical for our brain to communicate. If you imagine dropping a pea into a jar of olive oil, it will float around but if the jar does not have oil in it, the pea will clink around in there. The same thing happens in your brain. When clients eliminate all fat from their diet or begin to lose too much weight, the brain actually shrinks. This leads to increased risk of dementia and depression as well as increased eating disorder thoughts. Rationale tends to decrease considerably, especially when it comes to not overthinking food choices and having a healthy body image.

So – back to the question, Will Eating Fat Make Me Fat? It is true that fat is more calorie-dense then carbohydrates and protein – meaning that each gram has more calories. But it’s important to remember,  “everything in moderation.” Let’s focus on trying to eat some fat throughout the day so we can have the healthiest brain possible.

*****

Looking for guidance with NUTRITION? Contact Janelle Hunt, MS, RD – the author of this blog article. She is an EDIT™ Certified III – Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician, and has a specialty in nutritional counseling for eating disorders. – EMAIL JANELLE

Interested in a FREE consultation with Dr. Dorie? Dr. Dorie is passionate about her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ to help people overcome eating disorders and addictions.  She provides customized counseling for eating disorders and alcohol / drug addiction at her Positive Pathways treatment center in Evergreen, Colorado – and EDIT™ eating disorder training and certification for coaches and clinicians worldwide. CALL 303-494-1975 – EMAIL DR. DORIE

The post Will Eating Fat Make Me Fat? appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

My Story: A Business with Roots in Recovery

My name is Dr. Dorie McCubbrey, and I’m the Owner & Clinical Director at Positive Pathways. It all began in January 1995, when I started my business. Or, perhaps it all began in 1975, when I started my first diet – shortly after my 10th birthday. By age 11, I was Anorexic. Although I restored weight, I never received treatment – and I struggled with body image issues, binge eating, and chronic dieting throughout Middle School and High School. In College, in had my first binge-and-purge episode, and by Graduate School, I was voraciously Bulimic. This was my “call” to seek treatment – and I’m very grateful to my therapist, Shelley, and all the friends I made in recovery. By the time I finished my PhD in Biomedical Engineering, my eating disorder behaviors were gone, and in their place was a key message which guided my recovery.

My Message: The Five Principles of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™

There are five parts to my message, which helped me overcome eating disorders, and which help me stay on a healthy path today – Love Your Self, Be True To Your Self, Express Your Self, Give To Your Self, Believe In Your Self. I didn’t read these in a book. I didn’t hear these from my therapist. I didn’t just make these up. This key message was shared with me through my companion animals – a parakeet, a kitten, and a cat. I truly believe this was my Intuition guiding me, through my observations of these animals. At first, I thought this message was just for me. But then I heard another “call” – to share this message with others in recovery from eating disorders.

My Mission: Guide Others to Complete Recovery from Eating Disorders

I first started my business as a motivational speaker, health coach and author in Northeast Ohio. Hearing yet another “call,” I returned to school to earn my Masters Degree in Counseling. My business quickly grew to become a Holistic Health Center – specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, and diet-free solutions to obesity. My first book was released in May of 1998, entitled, Dr. Dorie’s Don’t Diet Book: A New Life Free of the Weight Loss Games. In August of 1999, I heard the “call” of the mountains, and I relocated to Colorado, while I was writing my second book.  How Much Does Your Soul Weigh: Diet-Free Solutions to Your Food, Weight and Body Worries was released in January of 2003 (HarperCollins Publishers). Shortly afterwards, I was approached by readers of this book who wished to be trained in my approach to the treatment of eating disorders and weight issues. Honoring this “call,” I developed my first training programs in 2008. Originally termed “The McCubbrey Approach” by one of my mentors, this treatment method is now known as Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™, with a thorough training program for professionals to become EDIT™ Certified.

My Vision: Positive Pathways of Recovery

When I founded Positive Pathways in 1995, I always imagined that it would be in a Victorian House, with beautiful therapeutic gardens. Although our treatment center is currently in an office building in the Cherry Creek North area of Denver, it is located on the Garden Level – and we do have a small flower garden outside! My original vision also involved a collaborative treatment team – which I started with in Northeast Ohio, and which continues to unfold today. Positive Pathways is a group practice, with two Licensed Professional Counselors, two Registered Psychotherapists, two Art Therapists (one in training), a Registered Dietitian and a Somatic Counselor (in training). On the horizon, watch for the expansion of our recovery services into the treatment of ED-SUD – co-occurring Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorders (such as alcohol abuse or drug addiction). I’m also in the process of developing a new type of experiential session, which will allow clients to safely reveal and gently break through their “stuck places.” In addition, I’m finishing work on my third book (title to be announced soon) – scheduled for publication in 2018!

Article may be reprinted with the author bio below.

©2015 by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. Dr. Dorie is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is passionate about training professionals to effectively guide clients in recovery from eating disorders, through her Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ Certified program. She also meets with clients at her treatment center, Positive Pathways. Learn more at: https://www.drdorie.com

*****

Positive Pathways is now in Evergreen, Colorado! Since this article was written in 2015, a few things have changed! Dr. Dorie’s Positive Pathways business is now located right by Evergreen Lake. Dr. Dorie offers EDIT™ Sessions, Wilderness Therapy, Intuitive/Mindful Meal Sessions, Addiction Treatment, and much more.  POSITIVE PATHWAYS EVERGREEN

Interested in a FREE consultation with Dr. Dorie? Dr. Dorie is passionate about her method of Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ to help people overcome eating disorders and addictions.  She provides customized counseling for eating disorders and alcohol / drug addiction at her Positive Pathways treatment center in Evergreen, Colorado – and EDIT™ eating disorder training and certification for coaches and clinicians worldwide. CALL 303-494-1975 – EMAIL DR. DORIE

The post Positive Pathways Celebrates 20 Years appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.

It’s the New Year – and according to Time Magazine, 39.6% of people surveyed set a resolution to lose weight this year. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese (BMI ≥ 30). Some of the health risks commonly associated with obesity include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Many people who are overweight or obese want to lose weight as a means of reducing these risks.

However – typical diets, exercise and weight loss programs address the symptom of excess weight through the control of caloric intake and expenditure. The Binge Eating Disorder Association reports that about one-third of people enrolled in commercial weight loss centers have Binge Eating Disorder (BED) – and dieting has been shown to cause binge eating, especially in people who already have BED. There is only so much “willpower” that can be used as a means of adhering to restrictive diets, and numerous studies have shown that 90-95% of dieters regain any weight they lose within 1-5 years.

Diets don’t work – so what will work to lose weight (and keep it off)? Here is some “Don’t Diet” food for thought:

• Stop Trying to Lose Weight – instead, focus on health gains. According to Linda Bacon, the author of Health At Every Size and founder of the HAES™ community, overall health is more important than any number on a scale. In fact, many people who are a “normal weight” or “underweight” may not be healthy. Who is to say what BMI is truly healthy for each individual? With health as a goal, the achievement of a healthy weight is a natural outcome.
• Don’t Deprive Yourself of Foods You Love – practice intuitive eating and mindfulness skills to enjoy your favorite foods. Discover how to abandon your “food rules” – good/bad, always/never, clean/forbidden – and truly enjoy a healthy sense of freedom with food. Giving yourself permission to have all food doesn’t mean that you’ll eat all of it at once – that’s “impulsive eating.” Trust your intuition!
• Start Loving the Body You Have Now – your body can’t change instantly, but your mind can. Why not think positive thoughts about how your body looks and everything that your body can do – you’ll feel better, and also take better care of yourself. Self-Love (which is the first EDIT™ principle) is about much more than loving your body, but it’s a great place to start!

Article may be reprinted with the author bio below.

©2014 by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. Dr. Dorie is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Licensed Addiction Counselor who is passionate about training professionals to effectively guide clients in recovery from eating disorders, through her Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT)™ Certified program. She also meets with clients at her treatment center, Positive Pathways PLLC, located in Evergreen Colorado. Learn more at: https://www.drdorie.com

*****

The post New Years Resolution: Don’t Diet! appeared first on INTUITIVE THERAPY™ | Healthy Weight Loss | Eating Disorder Recovery Coach.