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Q. What is the difference between lifestyle coaching and psychotherapy or counseling?
A. Lifestyle coaching provides a trusted, experienced motivational person in your corner that can help you identify things in your life you may not be able to see clearly (the “can’t see the forest through the trees” syndrome). As a lifestyle coach, I help my clients set attainable goals and provide the guidance and motivation to keep them on track. A life coach is an excellent resource and often the key to success for people who have reached a plateau in fitness or weight loss; are confused about life decisions; or feel stuck during a life transition.
Lakewood Mind and Body Center’s counseling and psychotherapy services are designed to meet the individual needs of our clients who are facing a range of emotional issues. Depression, anxiety, and eating disorders are just a few of the problems we address. Individual and group support is available for women suffering from trauma-related disorders including domestic violence, rape, physical and emotional abuse. We provide in-home emotional and physical support for those faced with limitations related to aging.
Q. I’ve been fighting depression for most of my life. Antidepressants and counseling seem to help a little, but I’m not where I want to be yet. I have low energy and feel hopeless many days of the week. What do you suggest?
A. A balanced nutrition plan coupled with a consistent exercise regime can do wonders for depression and low energy. This component is often overlooked. In fact, I started Lakewood Mind & Body Center after years working strictly as a psychotherapist, and knowing all too well that my patients needed help with their physical issues to overcome emotional issues. While I support antidepressants in some cases, I see great results when my clients incorporate natural lifestyle changes, including exercise, which increases endorphins, and eating the right foods on a regular basis, which restores energy levels and provides an overall sense of well-being.
Stress often exacerbates the symptoms of depression. That’s why I emphasize the importance of examining the demands of daily life – personal and professional - with the goal of identifying problems and revaluating priorities. I believe in a holistic approach to enhance one’s quality of life, including overcoming depression.
Q. I don’t seem to have the willpower to eat right and exercise. How can you help me?
A. This seems to be common problem. It helps to have a supportive lifestyle coach in your corner to provide the motivation and encouragement that you lack at first. I use a combination of fitness instruction, counseling and coaching to help my clients overcome the lack of motivation and willpower. When you begin to recognize your successes, by taking “baby steps” and making small changes, you build on your successes and are able to incorporate more. Too many people try to do too much at once and are then left with a sense of failure.
Often emotional issues, low self esteem, and old belief systems need to be addressed. In utilizing a multidimensional approach to wellness (physical, emotional, spiritual), I incorporate many tools that can break the lack-of-willpower cycle.
Q. I’m overwhelmed with the responsibilities of a full-time job, which I don’t even enjoy, and being a single parent. I’m wondering if I should change careers, and am confused on what to do to get more balance in my life. I want time to exercise and time for fun and hobbies, but there simply isn’t enough time in a day. Is there hope?
A. You’re not alone. Unfortunately, our society and the workplace isn’t always conducive to women’s needs. The key is to clearly identify what you want in your life and to then prioritize. It helps to clearly assess what you want in your life, and then to set daily goals to achieve that. We at Lakewood Mind & Body Centers offer a comprehensive lifestyle goals assessment and ongoing support for many clients, who, like you, are struggling to find a healthy balance in their lives. A supportive therapist and motivational lifestyle coach can be the key to your success. There are many options you may not have identified and it helps to have an unbiased, outsider skilled in life transitions to help you see things clearly.
Q. I’ve been in a series of bad relationships – involved with men who are emotionally and verbally abusive, some having alcohol and drug problems. I know this is a pattern, and behaviors I’ve learned growing up in a dysfunctional family. I have this awareness, but don’t know why I’m continuing this destructive behavior.
A. Codependency, or an obsessive attachment to relationships that aren’t healthy, is a very serious problem in our culture, just as serious as drug and alcohol addiction. Many professionals, including authors Melody Beattie and Robin Norwell, point out the similarities of the addictions, the cycle of decline, and the paths to recovery. I’ve started a Women Of Wisdom support group to help women overcome unhealthy relationship patterns. This group can provide you with the skills necessary to find true joy and contentment in all relationships. In a safe and structured setting, you’ll be working with other women who share similar concerns. Not only will you come to understand yourself better and feel competent about making healthy changes, you’ll have the advantage of sharing your experiences and hearing the experiences of other woman. You will find strength, compassion and feel empowered, realizing you are not alone.
Q. Why is strength training so important and will it really help me lose weight?
A. Let me do the math. On average, one pound of fat burns one to two calories per hour. One pound of muscle burns 40 to 50 calories an hour. The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism. As we age and become sedentary, muscle begins to atrophy. Strength training changes all that, and it’s never too late to build muscle! Not only does strength training help build muscle tone, research has proven that it can improve heart health and balance, alleviate the aches and pain of arthritis, and relieve the symptoms of depression.
Q. I’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis and know that exercise helps, but I’m afraid of hurting myself even more. What would you recommend as an exercise plan?
A. Strength training can actually help women build bone mass. After menopause, women can lose 1% of their bone mass every year, leading to an eventual diagnosis of osteoporosis. According to the research led by Miriam Nelson, MD,
Strong Women Stay Young, women who strength train not only stop losing bone, but can gain bone mass. Working with a certified personal trainer is a safe and effective approach. Designing an effective exercise program for the post-menopausal woman is the key to building strength and bone while reducing the risk of injury.
Q. I consistently have neck and shoulder pain and physical therapy and massage seems to offer only temporary relief. What do you recommend?
A. I have a client who had years of neck pain who, after about a month of strength training that incorporated upper and lower back, is pain free. She was amazed at the results.
Q. I’ve gained over 40 pounds in the past year. I’ve started walking an hour every other day and am trying to watch what I eat, cutting portions, calories, etc., but haven’t lost a pound. I’m also peri-menopausal. I’m very discouraged. Could my inability to lose weight be related to my hormones?
A. Hormones can certainly play a key role in weight gain and prohibiting weight loss. We would need to do a total assessment of your nutrition and exercise plan, and incorporate the right mix that works for you. We offer many solutions, from strength training (building muscle burns more calories than strictly cardiovascular exercise) to nutritional weight loss options. We also can refer you to local professionals skilled in hormonal imbalance treatment.
Q. I would like to do strength training but don’t like the gym environment and don’t seem to have the motivation to use my exercise equipment at home. What do you suggest?
A. Many of my clients enjoy personal fitness training in their homes – it keeps them motivated. It ensures they are doing the right exercises in the right way. And it’s convenient. It works well for people on a tight schedule, as well as for older adults who are homebound.
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