faulker053

We all want answers to what's unknown. Why did he have to die of cancer? Why did she get diabetes at such a young age? Why am I struggling with an eating disorder? Forgive me for being harsh, but it doesn't matter. Sure, it's great to understand what causes diseases so that we may find a cure and prevent them from targeting and harming more people. And if there were something we can do to protect ourselves from getting sick, wouldn't it be valuable to know. But on the personal level, it doesn't matter why or how you developed your unhealthy relationship with food. Practically speaking, it changes nothing. You still need to eat. If a child is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, requiring regular insulin injections, it doesn't matter why. And it doesn't matter if they hate the treatment—the frequent injections to remedy the body's failing production of insulin. It's simply non-negotiable. For nine years I had to self inject with a medication for my M...

But only if you do your part! It was the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice, and it was a dark and rainy day here in the Boston area. And I was home sick with a bad head cold. It was enough to put me in a rather gloomy mood, if it weren’t for some bright spots from this past week that lightened my mood. Perhaps they’ll brighten yours, too. Hannah had not had the easiest time these past several months. Besides her eating disorder, which ranges from anorexia to binge eating, she’s been struggling with depression. Yet after many months of working with her team her progress shined through.  No, I’m not talking about measuring her progress in pounds—her weight fails to reflect the recent progress that’s just starting to emerge.  Ahh, the feeling of eating and trusting it's going to be okay... Rather, I heard her describe for one of the first times, her interest in food—in its taste, and in its texture. I heard her say that she realized that she actually didn’t lik...

It may make you happy for now but... Dana used to tell me she'd allow herself to eat "whatever", just until the holiday season was over, and then she'd buckle down and resume her restrictive approach to food management again.  Rob cancelled his November appointments, preferring to wait until after January 1 st to begin to improve his eating and his cholesterol level. And Stacy continued to restrict—in part because she knew that after her next doctor visit in a few weeks, she was going to be held accountable for her actions. Yes, she was going to need to turn her eating around or she'd be finding herself in a rather unhealthy predicament. If you're like my patients and thinking you'll get by just for now , whether you'll continue to drop a few more pounds before you start normalizing your eating or you continue on your path of overeating, it's time to face the facts—you're not really planning to change. At least, not for long term. I know...

I'd much rather be hiking ... It's hard enough starting at a new gym. Generally, I dislike going to gyms, preferring instead to enjoy a long bike ride, a hike or a cross-country ski or snow shoe when weather permits. But living in New England, there are times, like now, when conditions are simply not favorable for either of those activities. So off to the gym I went, attending my first spin class of the season, at a new gym with a new instructor. And I could barely get through it. No, I am not that out of spin shape—although those cycling muscles certainly needed a workout. Rather, I was feeling my blood pressure rise as I sat through the marketing pitch and endless misinformation by this supposed promoter of health—the spin instructor. I'm still headachy from it, so in truth, I am blogging to air my annoyance and frustration. You know me be now—I am not shy to share my opinions, particularly those I feel strongly about. But this was a challenging setting. Jane, I...

Lessons from co-writing Food to Eat: guided, hopeful & trusted recipes for eating disorder recovery. Last week I saw a new patient, a 50 something year-old overweight woman who presented with the stated goal of improving her health—and taking control of her escalating weight. Her body language and her attitude shouted ambivalence—or more accurately, defensiveness—and within the first quarter hour she had me on the defensive, too. Not too much rocks my boat, given 26 years seeing patients, including those who'd rather not be there. But the accusatory tone in which she asked about my weight history startled me. While not speechless (imagine what it would take for that to happen!) I was certainly at a loss to articulate my credentials to help her in a way I thought she could hear. Perhaps even expecting that she would hear was setting an unrealistic goal. Can I ever REALLY know how difficult his life is? Or what he's thinking? What could I possibly know about her weight ...