Monitoring weight and body shape, often in the name of health and feeling better, is so pervasive in our culture that is rarely questioned. It is now the norm, and those who don’t monitor their bodies' are suspected of not caring for themselves. I am concerned that the opposite may be true. That monitoring weight and body shape may not always be a sign that people care for themselves.

Disordered eating occurs when a person's attitudes about food, eating, exercise, weight and body size or shape causes them to have rigid eating and/or exercise habits that interfere with their health, happiness or safety. Those with disordered eating are at risk for an eating disorder. We can help you sort out if you are struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder, if your healthy eating is causing you to suffer or if your exercise is doing more harm than good. And we can help you get back on track.

There are two forms of eating that can feel out-of-control: deprivation-driven eating and emotional eating. Most people think that out-of-control eating is mostly emotional. Actually, it is far more likely that ‘over’eating is deprivation-driven.

Do you try to change your eating, and then feel like a failure when you don’t succeed beyond the initial enthusiasm? If you make plans about your food and eating that are actually out of reach, those plans will eventually become a source of frustration.

In January, I wrote about the importance of connection. But disconnection is also necessary for creating a healthy, happy life, and to be able to successfully manage food and weight. Check out these real life tips on how to disconnect.