Guest Blogger: Georgianna Sloate, MS, LMFT, on Managing Eating Disorders

Please welcome Georgianna Sloate, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as a guest blogger.  I have known Georgianna for many years and her compassion, insight and genuine concern inspire me and her clients. She can be contacted at 860-205-3672.

 

Have you tried every diet in the book?  Do you eat when you’re not hungry? Are you starving yourself? Are you eating to feed your stomach or your heart?   You see it’s not about the diet; it’s about giving your body what it needs so your body and mind can give you what you need to run such as good health, focus, concentration and strength. 

Let’s face it if you put bad gas in your car, eventually it will not run.   Good thing about a car, if it breaks down, you can always get a new one.  Not true with our bodies; you only get one.   Treat your body with respect and give it the love it deserves.

When you go to reach for the food, ask yourself am I really hungry? What am I feeding now?   If you’re not hungry, then ask why am I eating? Most likely it’s an emotion or part of yourself that needs to be nurtured or fed.    So when a feeling comes to get your attention, acknowledge it and ask what it needs.  Don’t slam the door on it and shut it out.  Instead ask why are here? Really spend some time with it and get to know it.   You’ll be amazed at what you will learn!  

Remember it’s not the feelings that cause us to eat.  It’s our attempt to stop the feelings!  

I am a therapist that specializes in Eating Disorders.  My office is located in the Family Therapy Center, LLC in Bristol and I am partnering with Dr Goodman, to help you achieve your health goals. What emotions or feelings are you stuffing or restricting, and what can you learn from them?  I provide a warm, supportive setting where together we will discover what keeps you from succeeding. 

Georgianna Sloate, LMFT   The Family Therapy Center, LLC 38 Kelley Street Bristol,  CT  06010

 

  I leave you with one of my favorite poems by Rumi:

THE GUEST HOUSE This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice. meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Be grateful for whatever comes. because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.   — Jelaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks