Weight
If you are unhappy about your weight we will first consider any medical implications, and any underlying conditions that may affect your weight, your digestion or your appetite. We'll work with you to reassess your nutrition, your lifestyle and your self-image. Our aim will be to help you achieve a healthy weight and to keep on track, while enjoying delicious food.
Our team of nutritionists are specialists in women's health and have many years' experience working alongside our gynaecologists. They're also highly practical. And you're welcome to our fitness classes, which may help you feel good in your body and maintain your target weight.
Your medical specialist will consider your personal history, your weight and BMI (body mass index), and any physical or emotional issues that may contribute to a weight issue.
Laboratory tests may include blood analysis to check hormone balance and thyroid function, cholesterol levels and diabetes risk; hair or blood analysis for mineral, vitamin or omega fatty acid balance; stool and blood testing for allergy and intolerance. Rarely, colonoscopy to check bowel health.
Nutritional therapy offers tests, information, and practical guidance. Our emphasis is on keeping food fun and nutritious, avoiding the dieting trap and offering family-friendly advice. It will also help you to detox. Avoiding the emotional rollercoaster that comes with sugar highs and lows and eating foods that support your hormone-producing glands are examples of simple ways to reduce stress and anxiety, and to maintain a stable weight.
Many women value emotional support. The way you eat reflects your self image, and may involve using food to cope with or cover challenging feelings. Our 'Emo' team is very helpful when eating patterns are proving difficult to change or where eating reflects emotional stress. Hypnotherapy is a powerful way to alter patterns set from childhood.
Lifestyle has a major impact on eating. A nutritional therapist or life coach may help you make positive changes for yourself and your family. Maintaining a balance of exercise and food is central to your weight and health.
Complementary therapies offer useful support alongside new approaches to eating and exercise. For instance, osteopathy can relieve strain patterns and balance your body; acupuncture and homeopathy may work on digestion and emotions. If you would like to use one or more therapies, your doctor will discuss your options and guide you to a practitioner and therapy that is likely to suit you.
Did you know?
Dieting seldom works, because when you eat less than your body needs, it goes into 'famine mode' and stores as much energy as it can for future use (which means storing calories). And in famine mode, your body is working to survive, rather than thrive, so you're likely to feel fatigued and maybe irritable! And, when you begin to eat more, your body quickly stores the extra (as calories) in anticipation of further famine. That's why we don't believe in dieting - and prefer to recommend nutritious eating that makes you feel good and helps you thrive.
