Food and Weight Therapy
There are different ways in which food is used in a person’s life. Of course, it is for nourishment, providing fuel and energy for our bodies to function. However, for some people, food can become the enemy whether they use the restriction of food as a coping strategy or even a form of control.
In a society that can have a strong focus on a persons health, we can feel bombarded with different solutions that don’t always deal with the root cause of what is driving the unhealthy thoughts, habits and behaviours regarding food. Diet plans can absolutely provide guidance on healthy eating and nutritional recommendations but they alone are not always the solution.
Food and Weight Support
My Make Food Your Friend program approaches food-related issues from two aspects, Weight Control and Eating Disorders. Both are similar and different at the same time, the commonality is, there are underlying issues that need to be addressed, by doing so helps form a better relationship with food.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the programme consist of?
The sessions are personalised to your specific needs. As well as the sessions themselves, there is also lots of practical tools and suggestion that you can use in your everyday.
- 5 x 90 mins Sessions (weekly or bi-weekly)
- Take-Home Therapy Audios
- Personal Workbook
- Optional Auriculotherapy* for in-person clients only
*Auriculotherapy is a form of the ancient Chinese medicine of acupuncture that involves stimulating various points of the ear. There are 300 points on the ear that represent the various organs, muscles and skeleton parts and as part of the session can be an additional boost to hypnotherapy
Do I need to buy, cook or eat special foods?
No, This is NOT a diet, this changing your mindset and behaviours around food. If you have been "yoyoing" on diets or watching your in take as part of your eating disorder, you will probably already know a lot about nutritional content of food.
I encourage clients to choose the healthier options, cook from scratch, but there are no foods off limits. Obviously, the healthier you eat the better results will be. You can still have treats, that is just what they are, a treat, something occasionally. When we work from a mindset of “I can’t have” we want it more. The principles of the program for weight control are
- Eat when you are hungry, stop when are full
- Choose healthy options
- Drink more water
- More Physical Movement
With eating disorders the principles, are still part of the program. Just modified to best support the you.
Will I be weighed at the sessions?
As general rule, NO. I discourage you weighting yourself throughout the program. The results are monitored based on how you feel. Taking back the control, changing your habits with and around food. The aim of the program is to help change your relationship with food.
With regards to the physical changes, I ask you to have an awareness of how your clothes are fitting, and as we progress through the sessions using them achievements to help build your confidence and to continue with the new healthy habits. As mentioned, this is not a race, there is no finish line. By changing your mindset, and using the tools provided this is more a lifestyle change, that allows you to manage and maintain you size and shape accordingly in the months and years to come.
I do not have a gym membership, is that a problem?
That is perfectly ok, we focus on physical movement rather than talking about exercise. We discuss ways you can add more movement in to your everyday life, that could be parking further away from the entrance, using the stairs instead of the lifts. Anything that can be put more physical movement into your day. As along you are moving around more, that you have in the past and gradually increasing that, all will be well.
Many people when they are happy with their size and shape, the last thing they want to do is dong on the lycra and hit the gym. That may be something to think about in time, when you are feeling more confident in yourself, saying that some people just do not like gyms and exercising.
I have underlying medical conditions or taking medication that affects my weight.
These are important factors that need to be taken into account, and will be discussed at the consultation. In most cases they do not tend to stop people from the sessions, although it is worth noting, that progress of the program maybe slower for you. We work with you, and what you are experiencing, not the condition, usually be able to find ways to work with it not against it.
If you are under any specialist medical teams, I always advise that you discuss taking part in the program with them prior to starting.