Karen R. Koenig, LCSW, M.Ed., an expert in the psychology of eating, is a psychotherapist, educator, motivational speaker, and author with nearly 30 years of experience helping chronic dieters and compulsive/emotional/restrictive eaters become “normal” eaters... Read More
The first book to explain the link between overdoing and overeating, psychotherapist Karen R. Koenig gives women detailed advice on how to lose their extra baggage – both emotional and physical – by taking better care of themselves... Read More
Packed with insights and practical tips, this unique book teaches clinicians how to help clients make peace with food and the scale and balance nutrition and exercise inn a healthy lifestyle... Read More
In this dynamic workbook, Koenig interweaves lighthearted discussion with mindful, reflective exercises to show readers how to identify, experience, and learn from these feelings instead burying them in food-related behaviors... Read More
Koenig lays out the four basic rules that "normal" eaters follow instinctively, along with specific skills and techniques that help promote change and point the way toward genuine physical and emotional fulfillment... Read More
I try to keep up with new research
about eating and weight, and occasionally run into surprising or contradictory
information. Although it can be unsettling to learn that what I thought was
true is not now (or maybe never was), I
endeavor to keep an open mind and not get too attached to ideas which may be
proven wrong. For examples, read on.
Being comfortable with your body at
any size comes from practicing wisdom. And what’s that? Wisdom is a combination
of discernment, valuing self, and utilizing cognitive skills—not your emotions—for
problem-solving. Anyone can be wise.
The controversy over whether higher
weight leads to increased disease and mortality is as confusing as the one over
whether sugar is addictive or not. First we hear that obesity leads to poor
health and premature death, then we hear that it doesn’t. All we can do is stay informed
and pay attention to the results of reputable research studies. I offer the
following information not to take sides in the debate, but in the hopes that
you’ll take it in with self-compassion and use it to motivate yourself to become
healthier.
While shopping here in Florida, I
stopped to sit down to rest and people watch. One of the first things I noticed
is the amazing variety of bodies to be seen. I mention being in Florida because
without lots of clothing, our body outlines are so clearly visible.
This culture can cause heavy people
to feel as if fat can’t be sexy, but that’s only cultural bias. If you’re fat,
you have two choices: to dislike and hide your body or to feel good about it
and decide how to show it off in its best light. If you’re going the latter
route, here are some great suggestions from Advice Goddess Amy Alkon (Think you’re fat? Try this at home, TICKET,
SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE, 12/20/12).
I read two articles in the same
week (in the 12/12 issue of the Duke Medicine Newsletter and in the Tufts Health
and Nutrition Letter) that said fat people can be fit, so that means the truth
is finally getting out. The original study these articles were based on was described
in the 9/5/12 EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. If you’re tired of your doctors insisting
that you have to lose weight to be healthy, listen up.
For those of you who are down on yourselves
because you can’t lose weight, please realize the complexity of the issue. Forget will
power and self-discipline, calories in and energy out. The truth is, many factors affect our eating and size.
It’s time to declare your body’s
independence, especially from your parents. This means confronting their criticisms and unsolicited advice and assuring them that
you’re in charge (even if you don’t feel it). Self-empowerment is the name of
the game.
Many overeaters are “weighting” for
their lives to begin. I think you know what I mean by that. You’re waiting to
slim down enough to feel good about yourself so you can do the things you want
to do—date, find a new job, travel, seek or leave a mate, or buy a new
wardrobe. It makes me both sad and mad that the only thing stopping you is
yourself!
What kind of people shame fat
people? Have you ever thought about it? By understanding why they do what they do, you can let go of the hurt and shame you
feel if it happens to you. Being able to do that will let you put the shame
where it belongs.
The posts and comments contained in The Gürze Books Eating Disorders Blogs do not necessarily represent the views, beliefs, or opinions of Gürze Books. The information contained here is meant to complement, not substitute for, professional medical and/or psychological services.
All EatingDisordersBlogs.com content copyright 2012 Gürze Books
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