Many obese and morbidly obese people are likely to have suffered physical, sexual and/or verbal abuse during their childhoods. Millions more can point to other types of trauma as a starting point for their weight gain.
Why, then, do most weight loss programs focus on “calories in, calories out,” diet, and exercise alone?
It’s clear that, in many cases, food is not the real problem, but rather a solution to temporarily relieve stress, feel comforted, and have a temporary escape from the bad memories, shame, and guilt that often come with trauma.
Addressing the root cause of weight gain isn’t as black-and-white as simply changing the way one eats or exercises.
So long as unresolved ACEs continue to get repressed, no weight loss program will ever work, especially not long-term. The programs will always feel painful and hard to maintain because the root cause of weight gain—the ACEs—aren’t getting resolved at a root level, so the need to self-soothe with food will still be there.
By identifying, addressing, and truly healing from ACEs, the need to cope will no longer exist. Therefore, there will no longer be a need for a coping mechanism, like overeating or emotional eating.
When that occurs, the weight sheds naturally, and for good. And so much easier.
Dr. Vincent Felitti, the co-principal Investigator of the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, and I are deeply aware of this. This is why, in March 2020, we teamed up with Liz Dickinson and Shannon Shearn, the co-founders of Relish Life to offer a comprehensive weight loss program that integrates the science of ACEs. Relish Life, a new program that offers a root-cause approach to weight loss, combines the best of psychology, behavioral health, holistic wellness, fitness, nutrition, medication, technology and more to help people lose weight from the inside out.
Dr. Felitti (left), Dr. Ray (right)
Dr. Felitti is an advisor for Relish Life and I’m the chief behavioral officer. Dr. Al Ray, who worked intimately with the ACE Study for over two decades at Kaiser Permanente, is Relish Life’s chief medical officer. It goes without saying that some big minds and big hearts came together to bring this into the world at a time when we need it most.
Over half of Americans have reported unwanted weight gain due to the pandemic, stress levels are off the charts, obesity is on the rise, and people are becoming more inclined to cope with that stress in unhealthy ways.
And it doesn’t help that there isn’t enough information out there connecting the dots between trauma-healing and weight loss.
This is why we believe Relish Life’s mission is so important.
Relish Life solves the root neurological and physiological issues that cause struggles with weight and health in the first place. It takes a personalized and comprehensive approach that integrates gentle medication designed to help heal the impulse control and craving parts of the brain. No fat burner pills or amphetamines necessary.
The program includes:
- Personal Physician: Monitoring your health and progress with regular calls, check-ins, and unlimited text/email support
- Personalized Medication Plan: FDA-approved, stimulant-free, scientifically proven, and delivered right to your doorstep
- Designated Health Coach: An initial strategy session and ongoing support and accountability via live check-ins and text/email
- Expert Psychological Support: Weekly small support group counseling sessions with experts to uncover your ACEs and heal your relationship with food
- Daily Inspiration, Meditations, Tips, and Tools: Elisa, a friendly chatbot and pocket cheerleader, helps keep you motivated and on track every step of the way
- Members-Only Educational Portal: A library of mindfulness, hypnotherapy, fitness, and nutrition programs (with live guidance) for lasting change
- Private Community: Gain access to our private Facebook group to connect with others and leverage the power of community on your path to health and happiness
- A Mobile App: For even more access to the treatment team and resources (coming soon!)
If you struggle with your weight, turn to your ACE score, your root cause, your WHY to find the inner weight—the heavy, unresolved traumas—that could be leading you to cope with emotional overeating or poor eating habits.
To learn more about Relish Life, click here and be sure to use code “PACES25” at checkout for 25% off!
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