​I thought I’d post today to provide some insight into something that has been a common issue for many of my clients when beginning to let go of dieting: perfectionism.

Just like perfectionism can creep in while dieting, it can do the same while trying to move on from it.  The rules you had while dieting, like eating “good” foods and avoiding “bad” ones can continue to permeate your thoughts for a long time after.  When beginning to let go of dieting, these same food rules and trying to stick to them perfectly might still be hanging around and causing you distress.  Or, perfectionism may be coming up in other ways, like the uneasiness that can arise at the thought of not actually having any rules to influence your eating patterns or even feeling pressure to let go of dieting in the “right” way. 

If you are finding that perfectionism is creeping in to your progress with letting go of dieting, here’s a few points to keep in mind:

Putting your hand up for help with your food and body image concerns can sometimes be a little scary, particularly if you have never seen a non-diet dietitian before and have no idea what to expect.  ​So for today's post, I thought I'd take the time to give you a bit more of an idea of how we might work together in healing your relationship with food and your body, by going through some of the values I hold on to during our sessions.

Given the constant pressure we are all under to be smaller, lose weight and eat "perfectly", it's not surprising that clients sometimes request meal plans.  However, meal plans are a service I don't provide when we work together, and here's why.  ​

If eating provides comfort for you in times of stress, you feel like you can't 'control' yourself​ around food or you feel guilty for eating emotionally, you are not alone.  And you know what?  It’s ok.  It’s all ok.  You are doing your best.  We all are.
Emotions, comfort and food are inherently entwined and eating to soothe uncomfortable emotions in the moment is nothing to feel guilty about.  However, if it is bothering you, you may find the below helpful in learning to manage your emotional eating.

So you've heard of mindfulness before, but mindful eating kinda has you stumped.  Brenda from work keeps banging on about it and even Weight Watchers is encouraging it.

Ditching the meal plan or the diet rule book can feel a little scary, particularly when you are used to having it all set out in neat rows highlighting what is 'good' or 'bad' and how much you 'should' be eating.
So how do you let go of the 'rules' without feeling like the rug has been pulled out from under you?

So often I see women in my practice who feel like they are the only ones to have gone through the diet cycle.  You know the one: feel bad about your body and out of control around food, diet, lose weight, gain weight, feel bad about your body and out of control around food, go on another diet... and the rollercoaster continues.   However, you are not alone, and you don't have to go round and round that dieting cycle forever.  You can step off, and you can enjoy food and your body exactly as you are.