Do I have to become a vegan or gluten free?
Actually I encourage most patients to eat animal proteins and have a higher fat diet than is typically suggested in Western Nutrition. Decreasing gluten in the diet, unless it is necessary for an allergy or intolerance, usually leads to the likelihood of future weight gain and uncontrollable cravings. I suggest monitoring quantity of food and limiting empty calorie foods that don't actually produce energy.
I just don't have the will power to keep a routine, how can you help me?
I find that most people who say they don't have will power are actually unmotivated because of exhaustion and confusion around direction. It is more stuckness than lack of motivation. People who start to see quick change are motivated to continue and people who understand the focus are usually very excited by the process. The presence of will power is actually a direct link to the strength of your metabolism. Increase one and you automatically increase the other.
I have tried numerous things in the past with no success, how is this different?
I started a weight loss journey for myself after a long period of intense stress and I used it as a health experiment for future patient work. I gave myself full permission to try numerous strategies and really on a day by day basis see what worked and what didn't. The results astounded me. Most of what is published about weight loss out there actually made me gain weight. But really listening to the things that showed weight loss in a 24 hour block of time helped me create very unusual but deeply nourishing habits that improve quality of life, make dieting more delicious and satisfying, and make weight loss easy and simple.
What if I don't have time for an exercise routine?
My weight loss plan is health, lifestyle and diet based. It actually involves very little exercise. I encourage most patients to stop regular workout routines as they are actually creating more stress in the nervous system and therefore slowing down the metabolism. My main solution for weight loss is actually rest and lowering stress levels.
I have a complicated history of eating disorders and body dysmorphia, how does your approach handle that?
A lot of exercise and diet strategies actually create distance and disconnect us from our bodies. My strategy for weight loss is about honoring what actually works for each person. What foods give you energy, what exercises lead to weight loss, what foods stabilize sleep patterns. Those answers are entirely unique for each person. By coming fully back to the body there is the possibility for a much higher level of emotional healing. This is the most profound level of self-compassion and gentleness. It is actually a very healing and nourishing process, not a disconnect.
Can I combine this with other weight loss programs?
Many of my patients attempt to combine techniques of other weight loss strategies with my program. It usually slows down the progress. I invite you to come in and do a free hour long consult and see if my results could potentially be faster than the course you are currently exploring.
I have a major health concern that is making weight loss complicated, how would you approach that?
Whether it is diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, medication induced weight gain, inability to exercise due to pain or any other health related issue creating weight gain; acupuncture creates homeostasis in the body. It regulates and stabilizes metabolism and sleep. In doing this is helps control the side effects of increased weight gain.
