"Sometimes in life you are lucky enough to meet people who blow your mind with their intelligence, kindness, inner beauty and general amazingness - and Annina is one of these people. You won't be disappointed!"

Danielle Woodcock (MSW, RSW)

 
The remains of a snack challenge with a client today - I “demoed” eating the first bar, then we each ate another half bar together. This is important to mention, because Snickers used to be number one on the list of my personal fear foods when I was still sick. Not sure what it is about them that makes them so scary to eat for so many people, but it certainly feels good to be able to eat as much of them as I want to without giving it a second thought. You can totally do it, too! Especially when you try to keep in mind that the more you eat of what you are depriving yourself of, the less you will have to think about food obsessively over time. It may take the thought intensity two weeks of no restrictions to lessen, but it can be done. Don’t give up if Snickers scare you - if I could do it, you can, too, and it is normal for recovery to take a while! 💕 #edrecovery #snackchallenge
#Repost @tellbetterstories2018 ・・・ We get sent a ton of ads related to various hangover remedies: pills, powders and potions that all promise to temper the effects of a hangover. And truth be told, I tried those a few of those when I was still drinking. No one ever said to me, "Hey, there's another way." Or "If you have to take something to counter the effects of alcohol maybe that first substance isn't so good for you." Or, "These solutions might work a bit the next day, but what about the long term damage to your body, mind, and spirit that happens when you drink so much you become physically ill?" I don't know if I would have listened if someone said this. But I'm still going to say this today: there is another way. Some thoughts: 1. There's an entire market of people who make money off the short-term effects of alcohol. Think about that. 2.If you have to take one substance to "counter" the effects of another, why? 3. If you're tired of trying to lessen your hangovers, you don't have to have them ever again. It's true. - The world will tell you that hangovers are just a part a life, a price to pay for enjoying yourself. But they actually don't have to be. The world will tell you are "giving up" something so great hen you choose to never have a hangover again. But trust me: what you will get is SO much more. - If you are struggling today, you are not alone. Also, as always, we are not prohibitionists; it's about the messages we tell ourselves and each other about alcohol. - #hangover #alcohol #media #marketing #advertising #health #wellness #selfcare
On Monday evening, I attended NIED's symposium on anorexia nervosa in midlife. The main presentation was held by Leslie A. McCallum who spoke about her research on the issue, in which she focused on people aged 40 to 65. Here are few things I learned: ✍️ Anorexia nervosa in midlife is under-researched and not talked about enough. ✍️ Anorexia nervosa in midlife is often accompanied by complex trauma and/ or concurrent disorders. ✍️ The number of people presenting with anorexia nervosa in midlife is increasing (hopefully because we were somehow able to make them feel comfortable to step forward and ask for help!) ✍️ The most common concurrent disorders are depression, anxiety, OCD and substance use. ✍️ Those with better support systems and less current adverse life experiences tend to help people in seeking support. ✍️ People in midlife are vulnerable to hormone changes and mood disorders, and at increased risk for both if they are suffering from anorexia nervosa. If you are between the ages of 40 and 65 and find yourself struggling with food restriction, please know that treatment has been and can be successful. I know it is difficult to get into inpatient programs for various reasons, but please don't think that you are alone in this. Help is available, treatment teams can be set up individually and support can match your exact, personal needs, considering all aspects of your life that are important to you right now. Recovery is possible and it is worth it. You've got this!
What eating disorder counselors eat when they’re fully recovered. And trust me, this is not something I would have comfortably ordered - and drunk and eaten! - twenty years ago. I know what it’s like, and full recovery is possible. You can do it, too. You deserve cokes, chips and pizza! #allfoodsfit
Last night I attended a very informative symposium on anorexia nervosa in midlife facilitated by the National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED).I will tell you about what I learned in a separate post, but wanted to share this beauty of a knitting basket in the meantime. ☺️ It invites clients to participate in their “hand knit hope” project, a knitting circle advocating for Eating Disorder awareness. Welcome to the office, little one! 💕
This! Marketing alcohol to parents, and moms in particular, is a mistake. Wine doesn’t reduce stress, it increases it, and modeling drinking for stress relief is proven to have adverse effects on children. I get that being a parent is stressful and believe we all deserve a break, I just know for a fact that alcohol is not the solution here - healthy coping strategies are! #mommyjuice #idontbuyit
What are your weekend plans? :) I’ll be seeing clients and working on my newsletter for professionals this afternoon, and then attend a baby shower tomorrow. The first in a while! #edrecovery #recovery
It seems to be addiction week over @newyorkermag! 👍 If you feel like your social drinking is getting out of control, get in touch. Help is available right here and recovery is possible. #bingedrinking #toronto