Oprah may be getting it!

So glad to hear on Oprah today her saying that she is thinking differently about dieting and "jabbering about weight loss", moving instead to recommending Geneen Roth's recent publication Women Food and God. Yeah for her! It would be such a relief if she could stop her focus on weight loss and begin to focus on emotional, mental, spiritual and interpersonal peace inside out while she is intuitively eating. She has such a powerful voice and incredible influence, so I am thrilled that she is speaking about and embracing non-diet, non-weight focus and inside-out healing.

She has an interview with Geneen in the April addition of O magazine and will do an interview with her on her May 12th show.

'Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) Press Announcement'

'Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) Press Announcement'

New office now open

New Office Address

610 W. Peace St.

Raleigh, NC 27605

(919) 518-6500

www.believeintherapy.com

Passed the Boards!

I am happy to report that I passed my board exams and am patiently awaiting word from NC Social Work Licensing Board on issuance of my NC License. It should be a couple of weeks and then I'll be ready to start.

A "NEW" New Year's

Resolution

1. I resolve to accept myself unconditionally. I devote myself to accepting the contrasts, imperfections, struggles, successes, stupidity, selfishness and brilliance inside of me because all the criticism has lead to unhappiness resulting in no less evidence of my humanness despite the efforts. I will remind myself that others experience these human traits in equal measure.

2. I resolve to remember Weight Loss Programs don't work for me. When I see tv commercials with celebrities making a living with their "atypical" weight loss, I will remember that the majority of weight loss is regained and then some, as demonstrated by watching myself, my family and friends yo-yoing. About 95% of people regain their weight loss plus an average of 8lbs. I relish the release of body and food preoccupation that comes with giving up this fantasy.

3. I resolve to take care of my health now and not wait until I am the unrealistic body size I think I should be to be healthy. I will balance more enjoyable physical activity, taking vitamins, attending to my anxiety and depression, practicing nutrition, going to the doctor and general maintenance of my body, despite my size.

4. I resolve to feed myself with what I am really hungry for. Instead of the high volumes of food I've used in the past, I will offer myself heaping portions of solitude, mutual social relationships, spiritual practice, fun, stimulation, affection and emotional expression.

5. I resolve to remember that I am now and always have been bigger than my body. My physical form is one aspect of who I am, not me. It will change over time and does not dictate my happiness, future prospects, love life, misery or mistreatment unless I assign that power to it in my mind. It is not the thing people will remember me for when I am dead and gone. Instead of obsessive preoccupation, I prefer to be present with my life and loved ones because that is what I value and what I want to be remembered for in the future.

6. I resolve to begin living my life now. I do not have to wait until I am some ideal weight to date, vacation, be willing to displease others, have enjoyable sex, hike, go to school, assert myself on the job, say no, paint etc.. We are the only advocates we have and I have a responsibility to live the life I have been given to it's potential. I can't imagine being at the end of my life knowing I have waited to live and now it's over (and that I never did get to my ideal weight)?

12 Warning Signs of Recovery

1. You forget the ice cream in the freezer and it actually has a gummy film on it.

2. You get bored and annoyed with obsessive discussions about hating our bodies and the need to diet, have surgery or exercise away the problem areas.

3. The anxiety and dread you have before a family or social gathering are about the issues, not the food and body issues.

4. You accidentally lose weight and don't get all that excited about it.

5. Food tastes very, very good and you don't chase it with guilt.

6. You start filling your life with satisfying people, activities and thoughts instead of your tummy with unsatisfying food.

7. You recognize your opinions, needs, likes and dislikes and begin honoring them (even if it displeases others).

8. You realize that you are and have always been more than your body.

9. Nutritious foods and a variety of movement begin to naturally appeal to you.

10. You don't pay too much attention to promises of diets and know that a thinner body won't make you happy.

11.You realize that you aren't able to eat your problems away and know that when the chocolate is gone, you will have to deal with it, as well as the yuck of the binge.

12. It becomes difficult to overeat and not be aware of it, as well as the issue that is related to it.

Slow go, moving to North Carolian

I am now settled in downtown Raleigh and getting adjusted. I will be sitting for the NCSW board exam within the next three months and hope to have my practice space, phone number and program up and running by January of 2010. Wish me luck with my studies.

Thank you to all my wonderful clients who have expressed gratitude, sadness and well wishes as I have made the difficult decision to move. All of you are on my mind and in my heart as I settle in to my new home.