Special Topics
Active Minds Hosts Eating Disorder Panel
To raise awareness about eating disorders during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the University of Massachusetts club Active Minds held a panel discussion about eating disorders and how to beat them on Tuesday night.
Meditation
Many people had suggested meditation to me, but the thought of trying to sit quietly and do nothing sounded almost impossible. How could I try to just “be” when inside my head Ed was screaming the entire time: How could that be helpful? Nevertheless, I wanted the things that meditation could provide: more balance and energy, less anxiety, a quieter mind, and a way to replenish my soul.
Reflection on My First Visit to Walden – Walden Spokeswoman Aly Raisman
Two weeks ago, I had my first meeting with several Walden staff members and the patients in Walden’s Eating Disorder Residential Program. After meeting with the staff, I felt so lucky to be partnered with an organization that is dedicated to helping people recover from eating disorders and educating the public about this illness. But, by far, the best part of my visit, was meeting the patients.
Are Food Allergies Hiding Eating Disorders?
For decades, advertising has been informing the public of the various “answers” to the age old question: How can I “lose” 10 pounds immediately? From cutting-edge weight-loss drugs to innovative exercise equipment, the press never fails to find a way to make a commercial or place a banner on a website which grabs your attention at shedding a few pounds. Recently, the most effective weight-loss “secret” has been giving up certain trigger foods such as wheat or dairy to drop a few pounds.
A Separation Contract
In my spare time, I volunteer for a local hospice, where I keep the patients company and run errands for them. When a person is in hospice they are treated with respect and honor as they go through the final phase of life.
You’re Skipping What? No Way!
“I don’t feel like eating.” “I’m not hungry.” “I’m too busy to eat.” These are some things that you could say during your recovery. You may say them and follow them thinking you are learning and practicing intuitive eating and listening to your body. Don’t be fooled.
BMI – Is It A Predictor of Healthy Weight?
As a mother of two teenagers and a dietitian who works as a director of nutrition and food services at Walden Behavioral Care, I am ALL TOO aware of the questionable line of when do you (if you do) discuss weight concerns with your child. The above map indicates that 13 of our states are populated with individuals who are 30% or more obese (as of 2010). The numbers have grown astronomically. If you go back to 1985 not even one state triggered for even being 15-19% obese!
A Smart App For Your Smartphone – Recovery Record
In this technology age, where over one million apps are available for sale, how refreshing it is to see a Smartphone app that specifically targets eating disorder recovery. This app is called Recovery Record. Recovery Record launched one year ago, and in this one-year an estimated 60,000 individuals with eating disorders and 2,000 professionals have signed up. I am using Recovery Record in both my work with patients at Walden as well as in my private practice.
A Letter to Yourself
After going out to lunch on that first day in residential treatment, we were told to bring paper and a pen to our support group meeting. We were instructed to write a letter to ourselves about the positive aspects of recovery, where we were at that moment, and what we wanted. We were to put it in a self-addressed envelope and seal it up. The interesting part about this exercise was that the staff intended to mail our letters back to us six months later. I thought that was a cool twist.
Sit On Your Hands
I was told early on that recovery is not a straight line, that it has ups and downs. Until I lived it, though, I did not realize how true that statement really was. You have to fall down in order to learn how to get back up.