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While Christmas can be a happy time for some, many people dread the festive period and feel anxious as the holidays approach.
This is particularly true if you or a loved one is experiencing an eating disorder. Around this time of year, food comes under the microscope, and there is pressure to "eat, drink and be merry", as well as an unhelpful focus on "holiday weight" as we head into the new year.
As Christmas gets closer, Her caught up with Ellen Jennings from Bodywhys to gauge how we can best support those with eating disorders this year.
For starters, Ellen underlines how it's important to remember that eating disorders are about feelings rather than particular behaviours, and that these feelings can become intensified around Christmas.
"If you can see that the person's mood has changed, you can see they're feeling stressed, think about how you might open up that conversation," Ellen says. "When someone puts those feelings into words, it can reduce the intensity of those feelings."
Ellen notes that the lack of routine often associated with Christmas may cause people with eating disorders to feel anxious, and that incorporating some elements of routine into the holiday may be helpful.
"We don't need to have more rules, but keeping some things the same may make it a little less overwhelming. So that could be their eating routine, or maybe they want to go out and get some fresh air."
She adds that down-time is still important, and that people with eating disorders shouldn't feel that they are constantly on the go.
It's also helpful to acknowledge that a person isn't their eating disorder.
"They didn't choose the eating disorder," Ellen says. "It's just there. If they have coping mechanisms to see that it's separate from them, it creates that distance."
Christmas dinners can lead to conversations about weight, dieting, and oftentimes, a person with an eating disorder may feel like they're under a microscope if they join family members for dinner. With this in mind, Ellen says setting ground rules can help prevent triggering conversations.
"You could say, 'Maybe this Christmas, let's not talk about anyone's appearance.' Instead, focus on asking people how they're feeling, rather than the focus on appearance or what they're eating.
"We know that eating disorders distort comments, even comments that are well-intentioned, like praise. Like, the day after. Instead of saying, 'It seems you got on well, well done,' just say 'How do you feel about it? How was it for you?'
"This shifts the focus towards what that person is thinking or feeling, rather than behaviours or their appearance or what they're eating."
Arguments, Ellen notes, are also bound to happen in any family around Christmas, but it's also important to allow them to happen, and to make up afterwards.
"It's OK for disagreements to happen and to make up, because that demonstrates to the person that it's OK for things not to be perfect. Recovery is about learning to tolerate uncomfortable feelings without using food to cope.
"Christmas is all about connection, so if you can focus on that rather than things having to be perfect. Have non-food related activities that could be incorporated into the day. Think about what that person enjoys, and what might take their mind off things for a while."
As the new year approaches Ellen advises those supporting loved ones with eating disorders to be aware of diet talk, and their own language.
"Try to be self-compassionate and model that behaviour to the person you're supporting."
Bodywhys' services and resources remain open throughout the Christmas holidays. Coping tips and suggestions for those experiencing eating disorders can be accessed here.
If you have been affected by any of the details in this story you can contactBodywhys on 01-2107906 or email alex@bodywhys.ie.
See the rest here:
How to support a loved one with an eating disorder this Christmas - Her.ie
canberra times editorial, diabetes, type 2 diabetes
It's hard to fathom how many more times we need to be told, and in how many more ways. We eat too much sugar, our diets are terrible, and type 2 diabetes is now one of Australia's major health problems. In the COVID era, it's hardly surprising this epidemic isn't the one on everyone's minds. But it should be right at the top. The COVID pandemic has forced many of us to reassess the way we've been living, working and socialising. And in many cases we're changing things for the better. Intense disruption is often followed by a sense of clarity, a whittling down of the things that really matter in life - time with family, work-life balance, quality interactions with our communities. We should also be adding diet and lifestyle to this list, if we hadn't already. COVID may have been thrust into our lives and taken up residence in most of our consciousness just two years ago, striking rich, poor, young and old indiscriminately, but it became clear early on in the pandemic that people with underlying health issues had a reduced chance of beating the virus without serious health complications. Type 2 diabetes, and associated health conditions like obesity and heart disease, were significant factors when predicting how an individual might cope with COVID. But it's an epidemic that had been creeping up on hundreds of Australians every day long before we'd even heard of COVID. Almost 1.4 million Australians are living with some form of diabetes, with someone diagnosed every four-and-a-half minutes. But Diabetes Australia - the country's peak body - has now acknowledged it is possible for adults with type 2 diabetes to manage their condition, and even send it into remission, through weight loss. READ MORE: This can be achieved through intensive dietary change (not to be confused with extreme dieting) and bariatric surgery, and is more achievable for those who've lived with type 2 diabetes for less than five years. It's not always a realistic aim for those with long-term conditions. But the organisation also emphasised weight loss and a healthy diet were worth aspiring to even without the prospect of remission. We all have the means to address our own physical health, but it can be hard to know how and where to begin. In the past week this newspaper has united with others in the ACM network to examine the causes and consequences of what we're calling Australia's "silent assassin". With the help of a number of the country's leading experts on the subject, we are committed to helping our readers better understand type 2 diabetes. We've also taken the extra step of partnering with sports medicine clinician Dr Peter Brukner to offer every reader free access to his Defeat Diabetes app for three months - a practical way for us to help people potentially on the path to a diabetes diagnosis to reclaim their health. Eye surgeon and 2020 Australian of the Year Dr James Muecke, writing for us last week, said our poor diet - a diet packed with sugar - was responsible for more disease and death than tobacco and alcohol combined. As we begin to emerge from the COVID pandemic, having taken the easy and obvious step of getting vaccinated against the virus, there has never been a better time - as individuals, as communities and as a nation - to prioritise our overall physical wellbeing. Eating better and moving more takes time and effort. It's more difficult than a couple of jabs in the arm. But we need to arrest this other stalking killer. What do you think? Send a letter to the Editor
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It's hard to fathom how many more times we need to be told, and in how many more ways.
We eat too much sugar, our diets are terrible, and type 2 diabetes is now one of Australia's major health problems.
In the COVID era, it's hardly surprising this epidemic isn't the one on everyone's minds. But it should be right at the top.
The COVID pandemic has forced many of us to reassess the way we've been living, working and socialising. And in many cases we're changing things for the better.
We all have the means to address our own physical health, but it can be hard to know how and where to begin.
Intense disruption is often followed by a sense of clarity, a whittling down of the things that really matter in life - time with family, work-life balance, quality interactions with our communities. We should also be adding diet and lifestyle to this list, if we hadn't already.
COVID may have been thrust into our lives and taken up residence in most of our consciousness just two years ago, striking rich, poor, young and old indiscriminately, but it became clear early on in the pandemic that people with underlying health issues had a reduced chance of beating the virus without serious health complications.
Problem: Type 2 diabetes is a rapidly growing problem in Australia. Picture: Shutterstock
Type 2 diabetes, and associated health conditions like obesity and heart disease, were significant factors when predicting how an individual might cope with COVID.
But it's an epidemic that had been creeping up on hundreds of Australians every day long before we'd even heard of COVID.
Almost 1.4 million Australians are living with some form of diabetes, with someone diagnosed every four-and-a-half minutes.
But Diabetes Australia - the country's peak body - has now acknowledged it is possible for adults with type 2 diabetes to manage their condition, and even send it into remission, through weight loss.
This can be achieved through intensive dietary change (not to be confused with extreme dieting) and bariatric surgery, and is more achievable for those who've lived with type 2 diabetes for less than five years.
It's not always a realistic aim for those with long-term conditions.
But the organisation also emphasised weight loss and a healthy diet were worth aspiring to even without the prospect of remission.
We all have the means to address our own physical health, but it can be hard to know how and where to begin.
In the past week this newspaper has united with others in the ACM network to examine the causes and consequences of what we're calling Australia's "silent assassin". With the help of a number of the country's leading experts on the subject, we are committed to helping our readers better understand type 2 diabetes.
Eye surgeon and 2020 Australian of the Year Dr James Muecke, writing for us last week, said our poor diet - a diet packed with sugar - was responsible for more disease and death than tobacco and alcohol combined.
As we begin to emerge from the COVID pandemic, having taken the easy and obvious step of getting vaccinated against the virus, there has never been a better time - as individuals, as communities and as a nation - to prioritise our overall physical wellbeing.
Eating better and moving more takes time and effort. It's more difficult than a couple of jabs in the arm. But we need to arrest this other stalking killer.
What do you think? Send a letter to the Editor
Read more here:
The pandemic should be all the impetus we need to properly address the other silent killer in our midst - The Advocate
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. The best kind of diet is the one that starts next week, and I was very glad that I am currently dieting in exactly that manner when Amanda Herrington, Director of Communications at the PGA Tour, wandered by my desk in the media center at Sea Island holding a cup of a snack mix called Nuts and Bolts. I expressed mild interest (read: I love snacks and desperately wanted to try it), and a moment later I held in my hand a pretzel rod. The experience of eating it goes beyond explanation: a perfect blend of butter, garlic salt, celery salt, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce, with the pretzel baked to a perfect crunch.
Little did I know that I was partaking of a Sea Island tradition, a media-room legend and a delicacy beloved of no less a local eminence than the Uncle and tournament host himself, Davis Love III.
Susie Donnelly lives in the prairies of Alberta, Canada, in a place called Red Deer, and before she retired, she worked for the Canadian government in the Integrity Services Branch. Her sister, Barbara Van Buskirk, lives on St. Simons Island and has been volunteering at the RSM Classic since the tournament began in 2010. And she's not just any volunteershe was the PGA Tour Volunteer of the Year in 2020. Van Buskirk invited her sister to join her as a volunteer in 2011, and when Donnelly came down, it was only natural for her to whip up a batch of Nuts and Bolts for both. (If you're curious about the name, the nuts are well, the nuts, and maybe the cheerios too, and the bolts are the pretzels.) She's been coming back ever since.
Growing up in Red Deer, Nuts and Bolts was a Christmas tradition for the sisters, and Donnelly would make it each year with her father. She makes two varieties, and though the ranch-flavored kind hasn't yet made its Sea Island debutmostly because Donnelly doesn't want to invent more work for herselfthe original version spread like wildfire. It started when her sister brought some to the tournament to share with her fellow volunteers and tournament staff. It became so popular, so quickly, that the raves eventually reached Davis Love IIIhe calls it "chex mix," and he rarely goes a day of tournament week without indulging.
"I'm supposed to be eating less salt," Love said. "So I was telling my daughter, 'I could make it like this, or this, or this' and she said, 'then why do you go in every day and eat a cup of hers?'
"I'm kind of addicted to it," he admitted.
The addiction is so strong that when Donnelly couldn't come down in 2020 due to border restrictions during COVID, Love felt disappointed enough that he took it on himself to make his own batch for everyone. It became a family project, involving his wife and grandkids.
"We didn't make it as well as she did," Love said, "but we made it.
Without giving away the exact recipe, Donnelly revealed the basics: the spices mentioned above, mixed with butter, spread over a snack mix that includes Wheat Chex, Corn Chex, peanuts, cashews, almonds, pretzels, Cheerios, Bugles and whatever else strikes her fancy (including a Canadian cereal called "Shreddies" that has to be left out of the American version). Combine it all, bake at 250 degrees for two hours, stirring every 30 minutes, and voila: Nuts and Bolts.
This year, a special crisis arose when there appeared to be a Bugles shortage in the grocery stores in the barrier islands. Love was alerted by Donnelly prior to the tournament and vowed to keep his eyes peeled. Eventually, Bugles were foundI can verify that they made the final mixand order was restored.
"Here's the thing with the Nuts and Bolts," Herrington said. "You can go buy a bag of Chex Mix, but the care and special ingredients and seasonings that go into this, where it's perfectly salty, perfectly crunchy only someone who knows the formula, passed from generation to generation, can make a perfect mix like this that tastes so homemade."
Every day during tournament week, the staff of the Davis Love Foundation gets their own bag. Those bags are then routinely pilfered by various PGA Tour staffers and the occasional bold journalists. Melanie Trotter, the tournament director, is one of the daily beneficiaries, and her appreciation for Donnelly and Van Buskirk goes beyond snacks.
"The sisters are so special," Trotter said. "It doesn't matter what you ask, they always say 'yes.' They are the perfect example of the southern hospitality that we want to extend to every person that comes to our event."
And who better to exemplify that southern hospitality than a Canadian? When you can make a snack this good, you'll be embraced anywhere.
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The secret hero of Sea Island is a Canadian woman who makes incredible snack mix - GolfDigest.com
Weight loss plan: Success and failures | Photo Credit: iStock Images
When it comes to weight loss efforts and plans, we all know the routine drill: Go reasonably and safely calorie deficient, exercise more, say no to junk food, avoid snacking etc.
Losing weight is not an easy task. Avoiding food or skipping meals does not aid in weight loss. Here is a list of some weight loss mistakes that you might be making unconsciously.
But there are times when our best efforts seem to fail in bringing down the numbers on the weighing scales. Now, if one is already of a healthy and acceptable weight, the plateau is good.
But what if one does NOT weigh anywhere between the recommended healthy kilos range and yet cannot lose weight while on a weight loss plan? Aha! That means you must do some troubleshooting.
Maybe you are not doing something right, maybe one or more of your weight loss measures are actually detrimental and grossly wrong.
Get real: Be sure you set realistic health goals for your body, keeping your age, fitness levels, and health in mind. Avoid crash dieting as it may help you to lose weight quickly but harms your body in the long run. One tends to pile on much more than the weight lost when one stops crash dieting, not to mention the health pitfalls of a crash diet. Become comfortable with your body type and your health issues. Lifestyle also makes a lot of difference to the outcome of our weight loss efforts. Be sure that in the process -- you lose only weight, not sleep, or peace of mind or the formula to stay happy.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.
Read the rest here:
Weight loss: 5 mistakes we all make; checklist that shows how to lose kilos and not peace of mind - Times Now
Like many other Americans, I will give God fervent thanks for family, friends, and turkey on November 25.
My gratitude, however, will pale beside that of The White House turkey, as the President is expected to officially pardon not only that fortunate fowl, but also a backup bird.
Nevertheless, I am compelled every November to also express appreciation for odd blessings. For unknown reasons, you appear compelled to read them. So, for your Thanksgiving pleasure, I share below weird things for which Im thankful in 2021:
Silverware. Eating dressing and mashed potatoes with chopsticks might turn Thanksgiving dinner into a (gasp!) dieting session. At least, for uncoordinated diners like moi.
Persistent spiders that construct webs at my door, regardless how many times I sweep them away. This gratitude poses a major stretch for a card-carrying arachnophobe, but, as Hubby says, spiders catch other crawly things before they enter our house.
Shots. This weenie never, ever envisioned giving thanks for shots or people who give them. Nowadays? Absolutely.
Toilet paper. Anyone who experienced recurrent catalog page/corncob nightmares in spring 2020 will agree.
Steering wheels. Whether a sleek 2021 Beemer or junky 1972 Gremlin, both need steering wheels to keep us off sidewalks. And out of somebodys living room.
A dishwasher that hides dirty-dish clutter. Until they begin to smell
New fuzzy slippers that snuggle with my chilly toes.
The kind dry-cleaning lady who, in Chicago or New York, would have been considered insane. When I forgot cash required for payment, she allowed me to return a week later, no less to settle my bill.
Good-hair days during 2021. Both of them.
Outlets. Wouldnt it be nice if a tired human could poke a finger into this energy-giving device and power up? (Hint: dont try this at home.)
My potted plants, who make Survivor winners look like wusses.
That I do not own a second garage I can stuff with stuff.
Or a second house that needs cleaning.
Autumns blue-sky days that make me want to leap straight into heaven.
Store-bought cookies that taste like cardboard. They prove I can resist sweets. Really.
Baggy, old sofa pillows we can use so newer, decorative ones remain that way. (This opinion does not reflect that of the other half of household management.)
People who annoy me. They often show up in my novels.
The non-messy crabapple tree the nursery owner said would never produce crabapples grows plentiful clusters of fruit. Their brilliant red against autumn golds and browns spotlights the joy of uninvited color in our lives.
Loads of towels and underwear to launder evidencing there are still two of us living at this address.
Vehicles, stopped in the middle of the street, that block my way. Enjoying conversation, the drivers demonstrate face-to-face friendship still exists in this phone-obsessed world.
Drivers Education cars. Proof that drivers are being educated before traffic school.
That Gila monsters are not native to Indiana. Especially, that no family or friends have imported them as pets.
The couple who mistakenly brought a scrumptious-looking pie to my door. Though sad to send them elsewhere, I was inspired to be a better friend and neighbor. And to bake a pie.
Wax paper. It boasts no zip-locks, no fancy colors, prints or super-cling hype. No power buttons or updates. But it does its job, ensuring cookies dont stick to the counter when cooling.
Though a stalwart coffee fan, every night I drink the worlds best cup of tea, brewed and served by my tea-loving husband.
The hospitable crew at my church who supply beverages to hundreds every Sunday. Because of their service, there are a lot fewer grouchy Christians around even when Daylight Saving Time messes with our clocks.
Paper plates and disposable turkey pans.
My obnoxious microwave. Though I daily threaten to shoot it because it trumpets all-done beeps loud enough to wake the neighbors, it saves hours of cooking.
Traffic signals instead of roundabouts.
Gravity. Though I would love the scales to record me as weightless, getting up close and personal with asteroids might prove somewhat painful.
Plus, I am not so desirous of weightlessness that I would skip a Thanksgiving feast. Or sorry, Mr. Turkey pardon its main course.
I doubt you will, either.
Turkey non-gratitude aside, may bunches of blessings, weird and otherwise, grace your Thanksgiving Day!
More:
Weird things for which I'm thankful | - Chronicle-Tribune
Health experts estimate that about 450 million people world-over are suffering from various kinds of mental illnesses.
It is also projected that one in every four people is likely to suffer from a mental health disorder at some stage of their lives. Mental disorders can be described as a broad array of conditions that affect a person's mood, thinking, and behavior. Sometimes these conditions can be dire to the point that they affect a person's quality of life. At other times, the conditions can be mild and short-lasting. Either way, mental disorders require urgent interventions because even mild ones can grow to become severe. Preventing mental health issues, rather than treating them, is the best way to ensure a healthy population. Persons suffering from mental health illnesses are often stereotyped in society. It is critical to establish reintegration programs for these individuals to ensure they blend well into the community after an intervention.
Mental health conditions are often prevented in different ways depending on the age of a person and their development stage. In essence, a prevention program for one within the range of prenatal development to childhood would be substantially different from that of a person between childhood and puberty, and puberty and adulthood. The difference comes about because these individuals have different needs that must be considered when establishing and delivering a prevention program. First, preventing mental health issues for the age between prenatal development and childhood largely depends on the mother and her habits during pregnancy. Recent evidence has unearthed that the habitual dietary intake of a pregnant mother has a lot to do with the risk and development of common mental health issues in their children (World Health Organization). It then means that proper dieting during pregnancy is one of the surest mental health prevention programs for the prenatal to childhood bracket. Evidence has also emerged that maternal dietary intake can influence a systemic change in the offspring's phenotype at two to eight months of age. Even more impressive is that scientists have linked a father's preconception diet to mental health issues. This was corroborated by a study that revealed that folate deficiency in a male sperm could change the methylation of genes responsible for developing mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and autism. Thus, dieting before and after conception plays a significant role in preventing mental health issues in newborn children.
Two prevention programs exist for school-age children and those just before puberty. These programs can be broadly classified as universal and selective or targeted. Universal programs are those that are offered to all the children existing in this group. On the other hand, selective education is meant for children who are more at risk compared to others. Worth mentioning, school-age children are among the most high-risk demographics as far as mental health issues are concerned. This exposure comes due to the fact that these children are in new environments and are undergoing a change in their life and anatomy. Since this population is rarely present at home, schools provide a perfect avenue for establishing preventions and interventions. Mental health experts have substantiated that schools can help a significant percentage of children experiencing mental health issues. These experts have also confirmed that about 25% of children and young people in the US suffer from an identifiable mental health issue. Of this population, about 10% qualify to be labeled mental health disorders. These statistics are an indicator that schools harbor a substantially large number of individuals who are either at risk or suffering from mental health conditions.
Children usually face a plethora of challenges, which are sometimes the root causes of their mental health issues. Exam pressure is one of the most notable contributors to the mental health issues in this demographic. This pressure usually overwhelms students because they are forced to grasp enormous amounts of information. It also arises from the fact that the students are expected to succeed in their studies. Such challenges can sometimes take a toll on these students' mental health, especially since they may not have a brain developed enough to contain such pressure.
Another problem is, the educational programs are designed for an average student. It is logical, but it is not helping those on both extremes of the curve. That is why a student should assess hisher abilities and interests, and, when needed, consider delegating some assignments to a reliable writing company, such as SmartWritingService.com. College writing is an undeniably important part of education, but it can be overwhelming at times. Professional online services help students with essays fast, so the deadlines are met. When you dont have time or energy to do in-depth research and come up with a quality paper, it may be a good choice to delegate it, instead of delaying writing it till its too late. Even more noteworthy, the age of social media has come with many downsides as far as mental health is concerned. Even though its benefits are undeniable, experts have mentioned social media as one of the leading causes of depression in children and teenagers. This fact is especially relevant considering there is rampant cyberbullying and the presence of upsetting content. Also important to note is the feeling of inadequacy that social media brings to children and teenagers.
In response to these aspects, school administrators are challenged to come up with some robust prevention programs and arrangements to ensure that this demographic does not become victims of mental health illness. One element of this prevention program is to establish social time where children can interact in ways other than the curriculum. For instance, children can form groups of peers and discuss their most pressing issues openly. Peer groups are important because they are safe zones for children who may not find it comfortable to open up to their teachers. It is also essential to establish an open-door policy as part of the education program. An open-door policy is where students feel free to approach their teachers whenever they have burning issues to discuss. The feeling that the teachers are always available to listen can take the children a long way in relieving their mental health issues.
Individuals falling in the age between puberty and adulthood have more complex needs to prevent mental health issues. Schizophrenia and depression are the most common mental health issues identifiable in this age group. This group is also commonly known for high suicide rates. The source of these individuals' mental stress is also extensive because they work in different sectors of society. Thus, prevention and intervention will depend on one's area of specialty in life. Most noteworthy is that workplaces need to establish skills that would reduce job-burnout. These programs will be characterized by occupational stress management skills that will educate the workers on how to endure the stress that comes with their job descriptions. These coping skills have been proven to take workers in various sectors long to maintain sanity because the workplace can be a stressful place. Regular counseling is also critical for this demographic because it reassures them that their cause is worthy of the struggle.
Originally posted here:
Mental Health Illnesses: Classification and Statistics on Mental Wellbeing - BSA bureau
Rev. Sarah Stewart| Telegram & Gazette
The holidays are here again, and with them the seasonal foods we love. Im looking forward to pie at Thanksgiving and my Italian familys traditional antipastoon Christmas Eve. As we emerge from the pandemic, I will treasure my time with the family I have been separated from for so long.
But then, after the holidays, the inevitable pressure to diet will begin again. I can feel it in myself already: is this January the time to try to lose that weight? And if dieting is the atonement, does that mean the holiday feasts with my family are a sin?
Ive certainly felt that way in my life. Ive been unhappy with my body. Ive tried counting points, limiting myself to 1,500 calories a day, and eliminating sugar. Ive cut out all white foods and tried to be vegan before dinner. I even tried one diet that emphasized drinking sugar water. That one worked, in a way, but my skin became ashen and my mood became monstrous.
None of these diets worked for very long. After a few months (or sometimes a few weeks), my body resisted being starved. I was reminded that I was not just a machine for processing calories. Without enough food, I found it hard to think, to write, and to relate to people. Even praying was hard. My self was shrinking inside my slightly smaller body.
Yet without a plan for diet and exercise, I slowly but surely gained weight. I felt trapped. Many women feel this way. In the United States, according to researcher Hannah Bacon, over 90% of college-age women are trying to lose weight, and over 20 million American women have an eating disorder. Our world produces over 3,000 calories per person per day in food, yet people still go hungry and opportunities for leisure exercise are scarce. Women are trapped between the American imperative of consumption and conformity to an unattainable ideal.
My weight had become an equation I could not solve, no matter how I negotiated the variables. It was a woman friend who helped me glimpse a way out of this trap. She is my age, and she had taken up weightlifting. She encouraged me to try it. I was intimidated when I first stepped into the gym. The men straining at the squat rack looked superhuman to me, and I didnt see how I would fit in to this realm of strength.
I started with no weight on the bar at all. When I added in some running, my breath ran very short. It was a long journey, but it was a journey toward healing. My lifts began to build. My runs became a source of joy. Food became fuel instead of failure. The equation shifted. When I didnt try to solve for thinness, body and soul were in balance.
Lifting weights has provided a new perception of my body. When I lift, I know my muscles have moved a certain amount of weight a certain distance, and it no longer matters if that weight is the barbell or my own self. The spiritual life does not call me to be thin. It does not ask me to obsessively gaze at my own body or judge the bodies of others. It calls me to praise God and treat other people with justice, whatever my bodys shape or abilities. Life is short. Im here to live my values for as long as I can, not to use up my energies by being hungry.
The Psalmist says to God, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Even today, a table is set before us full of Gods abundance. The enemies are obsession with image, food inequity, misogyny, and misplaced priorities. Our bodies are divine gifts. Food and fellowship over food sustain them and build strength in us to do good in the world. We honor God with our fortitude and joy.
Food is not a sin. Food is a gift from God, fuel for our bodies, the right of every family, and a blessing through which we flourish. No less than the Thanksgiving feast is cereal at school breakfast, meat bought with ETP benefits, pasta from the food pantry, and a potluck that stretches a little into a lot. We are not meant to play small. We are meant to do the good work of justice and love. All are welcome at this table, to eat your fill, and to use your strength to lift up the world.
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart is minister of the First Unitarian Church of Worcester
Originally posted here:
Keep the Faith: Blessing our food, and what comes afterward ... - Worcester Telegram
My 600-Lb Life chronicles inspiring life stories of morbidly obese individuals who are determined to follow a path of healthy living. Such an extreme case of weight loss or surgery needs customized plans, which are supplied by the brilliant Doctor Younan Nowzaradan or Dr. Now. However, it is up to each individual to stay strong, defeat the bad habits, and strive towards the ultimate goal of losing weight. Season 10 featured Julian Valentine, who possibly had the highest BMI in the franchises history. However, with his will to work on his issues, things might have changed for him. Lets find out where he is today, shall we?
Julian Valentine had quite a tough childhood which became a critical reason behind his tremendous weight gain. While on the show, Julian mentioned that as a child, their family was constantly in need, and food was scarce. Thus, whenever Julian got his hands on food, he ate a lot as there was no surety of the next meal. This made Julian infer food as a form of security and comfort, leading to an eating disorder. Things remained the same even after his father passed away and his mother remarried.
On the show, Julian claimed that his stepfather was abusive, so he turned to food to escape the everyday trauma. Unfortunately, his circumstances never let him escape the clutches of the disorder commencing in a massive weight gain. Even though Julian had no hopes of finding love in his present condition, he did find his wife, Irma, who loves him unconditionally. She has supported Julian throughout and takes care of all of his needs. The couple even got married in a small yet beautiful wedding ceremony and looked forward to a happy future.
However, the eating disorder and the massive amount of food kept adding to Julians weight, and the Arizona-based electrician soon found himself unable to carry out his daily chores. Although Irma helped him through everything, she expressed concerns about her husbands weight and its effect on his lifespan. Moreover, Julians weight also made it impossible for him to have children, and thus, with no way out, he turned to Dr. Now for assistance.
When weighed in Dr. Nows clinic, Julians total weight came to a massive 830 pounds. Dr. Now immediately put him on a customized weight loss program, but Julian hardly lost any weight after the first two months. This failure encouraged him to try harder, and within the next three months, he ended up losing around 136 pounds. Dr. Now then asked the couple to move to Houston in Texas to prepare for the surgery.
Unfortunately, the journey to Houston was quite turbulent as the axle to their trailer broke off, leaving them stranded on the side of the road. This was also the first time the audience witnessed the couple fighting as the pressure got to them. Besides, while the couple and Irmas brother remained stranded outside, a tornado warning was issued in the area.
Although Julian and Irma managed to reach Houston safely, a further weighing revealed that the former had gained back most of his lost weight. However, this time, his wife decided to join in on his dieting plan, and within two months, Julian managed to lose the weight he needed. Dr. Now then greenlit him for the surgery, which fortunately turned out to be successful. The episode ended on a beautiful note as Julian is shown out on a date with his wife after years and is even able to drive on his own.
Unfortunately, at present, both Julian and his wife prefer privacy when it comes to their personal lives and has a limited presence on social media. However, the couple is still married and appears to be quite happy together. They reside in Houston, Texas, and from the looks of things, it seems like Julian is carrying on with his weight loss journey and has not given up. Julians transformation is truly inspiring to us all, and we hope happiness never eludes the couple in the coming years.
Read More: Where is Cillas Givens From My 600-lb Life Now?
Read more:
Julian Valentine Now: Where is 600-lb Life Cast Member Today? Update - The Cinemaholic
In just one day, Hilary Duff's latest TikTok has already racked up over six million views. The actress and singer, 34, crushed a viral TikTok dancethat just so happens to be one of her old performances, thank you very much.
"HERE YOU GOOOOOOOO!" Hilary captioned the video. The Younger star is dancing alongside one other TikTok user and an old clip of herself dancing onstage (and yep, she's still got the same moves). And, she's wearing a white cropped tank top that totally shows off her washboard abs.
Fans in the comments were really feeling the nostalgia. "K this is actually what dreams are made of," one user wrote, referencing Hilary's Lizzie McGuire days. And singer Tori Kelly was cheering her on every step of the way: "GO AWF QUEEN," she wrote.
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So, just how does Hilary sculpt those abs of steel? The mom of three told Women's Health that she recently stopped doing cardio in favor of lifting weights. I was thinking I dont need to do heavy weights because if I do heavy weights Ill bulk up, she said. I tend to build muscle fast.
Now, she's fully embraced strength training. Im lifting and squatting and using a barbell with lots of weight on it, and Ive never felt so strong but lean, she added.
But why ditch the cardio workouts? Hilary says they take up too much time and usually leave her feeling tired and hungry. This is such a different, more efficient way of working out, she told WH.
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And, Hilary says exercising has improved her mental health, too. "Working out is just really good for my brain, my mind," she said, per Shape. "As much as I want to stay in shape and I think [working out] is good for me, it keeps me in a good mindset."
As for her diet, Hilary works with a flexible dieting coach to make sure she's getting the nutrition she needs. He basically counts your macros for youand its been amazing because its basically like a mathematical equation that I just follow, and its been really successful for me, she told Women's Health.
The How I Met Your Father star explained that being more mindful about what she eats has helped her rethink her meals. I had no idea how much I was eating throughout the day, snacking, she said. I lost 10 pounds and I was not starving myself, and just eating things that I like and being more conscious."
This way, Hilary explained, she can eat what she wants without feeling restricted. "Im the first person to be like, 'I hate when you tell me what to do.' The second someone tells me You cant have wine, Im like, I want all the wine, she said.
Its been cool to retrain my mind and figure out that this works. I can eat normally and live normally and enjoy food, but still get the results Im looking for.
Her favorite foods to indulge in (besides wine)? Bread and chocolate, according to Delish. Same, Hilary!
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Hilary Duff Flashes Her Toned Abs In A White Crop Top On TikTok - Women's Health
Obesity stigma can harm people's health and is even more damaging when it comes from healthcare professionals, says Triya Chakravorty
People who are obese are highly stigmatised in society and face many forms of discrimination due to their weight.1 This weight bias translates into inequalities faced in healthcare, employment, and education.1 In a healthcare setting, negative attitudes held by healthcare professionals will make patients feel stigmatised and reluctant to access healthcare services, further damaging their long term health. The social stigma faced by overweight healthcare professionals will also have an impact on their own confidence and ability to deliver healthcare advice.2
Although obesity is a risk factor for several diseases and many public health interventions rightly aim to reduce it,3 the stigma around obesity does not make obese people healthier. Instead, it increases individuals risk of depression and suicide, and further entrenches disordered eating behaviours.14 Such negative perceptions also make people less likely to engage with preventative healthcare services.5 In other words, fat shaming does not work as a weight loss tool6 and can even harm health.
This stigma has perhaps the most damaging effect when it comes from healthcare providers themselves. Research has found that healthcare professionals often believe that overweight patients are less compliant with advice about weight loss.1 In a study of 2500 overweight individuals in the US, Puhl and Brownwell found that 53% reported receiving inappropriate comments from doctors about their weight.6 These negative interactions with healthcare professionals can deter patients from accessing medical care due to fears of being judged. Several studies have shown that obese individuals are less likely to take part in screening programmes for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer.17
Obesity stigma may also increase the risk of eating disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that obesity and eating disorders can co-exist in individuals and have shared risk factors, such as body dissatisfaction and dieting.8 Stigmatising comments from healthcare professionals can perpetuate the negative thoughts that a person has about their weight or body shape, which are known drivers of eating disorders. Furthermore, while eating disorders have high rates of morbidity and mortality, they may be more likely to be missed in patients who are overweight or who dont fit with societal preconceptions of what a person with an eating disorder should look like.9 As future healthcare professionals, we need to acknowledge the bias that exists in our medical curriculum.
Educating students on the multifactorial causes of obesity may help reduce stigma and victim blaming. Obesity is not solely caused by patients being lazy, lacking in self-discipline, or being noncompliant, as many stereotypes suggest.1 Environmental, genetic, lifestyle, and other unknown factors all interact to cause obesity.3 A key part of reducing obesity stigma in healthcare workers and medical students is educating them about these many factors and taking the blame for obesity off the patients shoulders. A preliminary study in the US showed that an educational intervention focusing on the multifactorial causes of obesity, empathy induction, and roleplay improved the attitudes of medical students towards obese people.10
Medical students should be taught to critically analyse the use of body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of health. Earlier this year, there was a call from members of Parliament to abandon the use of BMI, due to reports that it can worsen obesity stigma and damage peoples physical and mental health and wellbeing.11 BMI has been called a very poor proxy of health, which is not surprising given that it was created using studies of European males, making it less relevant for a diverse population.11 Medical students should instead be encouraged to look at other measures of health, such as waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
The Health at Every Size (HAES) approach has gained momentum in removing the focus from body weight, and instead encouraging a fulfilling and meaningful lifestyle through eating according to hunger and engaging in reasonable levels of physical activity.12 Its purpose is to reduce the social stigma and discrimination faced by overweight individuals and tackle chronic dieting behaviour, using a weight neutral approach that focuses on an individuals overall health and wellbeing, as opposed to the number on the scale.12 Weight loss diets have been found to have minimal success in the long run, which underlines the importance of exploring other methods of promoting health.13
Learning from and modelling the behaviour of senior doctors is an important part of medical education, which is sometimes called the hidden curriculum of medical school. Observing role models who demonstrate prejudice or discrimination towards obese individuals may perpetuate the cycle of stigma. In a study of healthcare students, 40% reported witnessing seniors make negative comments and jokes directed at obese patients.14 Addressing stigmatising behaviour in a respectful way is important to break this cycle. A zero tolerance policy in healthcare settings towards discriminatory or derogatory behaviour may help achieve this goal. Furthermore, tackling weight stigma could help to focus consultations on the patients needs, in instances where weight bias shifts the consultation away from this.
The stigma around obesity and its long term impact is seldom covered in medical school and is rarely included in the core curriculum.15 Discussing this stigma and strategies such as HAES as part of the curriculum via a lecture or a module could be a way to tackle doctors stigma towards obese and overweight patients at the ground level.
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Fat shaming is stopping doctors from helping overweight patientshere's what medical students can do about it - The BMJ
