Don’t laugh – it happens more often than you might think. How can you handle such an uncomfortable situation at a time when you really want to feel supported and encouraged?

Remember, you are losing weight for you. Or you should be. Losing weight for someone else rarely works and can often backfire. Your successful weight loss can uncover feelings of insecurity that your spouse might not even know existed. Take the time to listen to what your significant other has to say. Maybe there is an infidelity in their past. Maybe your weight loss brings a need for their own weight loss into focus. There might be history with a parent or other loved one that is weight related.

Ask your spouse to go to counseling with you. Do it for your relationship, but know that you can’t change his or her feelings. The insecurity is not your fault – you don’t own any part of it. Your spouse loved you heavy, and you aren’t any less lovable at a healthy weight. Know that deep inside, and don’t allow anyone to sabotage you and undo your incredible hard work.

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Does Weight Loss Equal Love Lost?

Not all of us have the flexibility or capability to move to Japan to help change a habit, but David does have the right idea. It takes between 21-45 days to change a habit, whether you are trying something new, replacing a habit, or eliminating a habit. Habits are something that are integrated into our routine and can be to the point that they can be done with little or no thought, which is exactly why it may require drastic measures or an entirely new routine to help those old habits die hard! Do something differently; try something new. Here are a few suggestions that you may feel helpful; please comment with other ideas for your fellow readers.

1. Find a new route – Avoid temptations of fast food or other distractions by not having them in your line of site. Drive a new way home; it may take a little bit longer, but it may also extend your life or its quality.

2. Get new input – It is no surprise that I think my client had the right idea in seeking counseling. You can also follow new people on Twitter or add new blogs to your RSS feeds. If you have a friend or associate that you admire, set some time to sit down and pick his or her brain.

3. Do something silly – Instead of heading to the kitchen on the commercial break, stand up and spin around three times or sing the chorus to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious at the top of your lungs. You will be filling in the time and distracting yourself from temptation.

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Shake Things up to Make Drastic, Healthy Changes

Yoga is used as a relaxation technique because it focuses the mind and slows down the body. Simply learning to control your own breathing can allow you to feel more in control of yourself. PTSD can leave a person with constant anxiety. Those that feel they must be prepared at all times to prevent future trauma often have difficulty controlling their thoughts and focusing on the present moment. A coping skill for dealing with certain types of trauma can be disconnection from one’s own body. Although protective in certain situations, it is not generally very functional. Perhaps more than other forms of exercise, yoga encourages body awareness and connection. All of these aspects of yoga can be very healing.

PTSD is a complex disorder. Trauma can be damaging to one’s entire being and life. Trauma alters one’s perception of the world, as well as one’s perception of one’s own self. It is important to obtain the consultation of professional advice and assistance when dealing with PTSD. It often takes time and investment to treat which can be frustrating for those seeking to regain control of their lives. I will be encouraging my clients working through PTSD to try yoga in addition to our treatment, and I hope that they will also experience a speedier reduction in symptoms.

via Yoga Journal

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Treating Trauma with Yoga

Improving physical energy habits, including sleep, diet, and exercise, is often the first line of attack against the most common mental health concerns of anxiety and depression. Often, counselors must address such topics as part of a treatment plan when a client experiences the common side effect of weight gain as a result of taking medications to fight depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic symptoms, etc. In some cases, anti-depressant medication may be an optional tool to allow a client the extra boost needed to do the therapeutic work that can bring him or her out of that depression.

Bipolar disorder, on the other hand, is a disorder that has a negative prognosis unless the client regularly takes the medication prescribed. Another concern is that many of these medications require titration to start and terminate the medication and cannot be simply stopped if the client is not satisfied with the side effects. To best serve my clients, I must be able to help them meet their goals, feel better about themselves, and comply with medication management when needed.

If you find yourself troubled by weight gain as a side effect of medication, there are several things that you can do to fight this side effect and still utilize medication management as part of your treatment. Talk to your doctor about the weight gain. You may be able to consider other medication options or dosages; however, any change in medication may require special instructions from your physician. Consider the possibility that in your improved mood, you may have regained a healthy appetite, or there may be other factors contributing to your weight gain. Talk to your therapist about your concerns and what other strategies you can employ. Try something new to help you increase activity, decrease calories, and/or make healthier food choices.

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Why Nutrition and Exercise are Essential to Mental Health