[Dos3512]

Dear T,

As you know I have issues with my eating habits and weight. Well I think it is time to face them and get physically healthy. My hope is that if I do that then I will feel better overall. I just do not know where or how to start. It is something that not only I want to deal with but my PCP wants for me to deal with so I can be healthy. So please lead the way.

Dos3512

Feedback is well accepted so please leave comments.

[Perna]

Hmm, not sure your T can "lead the way" since it is your issue (anymore than your PCP can do more than give you diet handouts, etc. and encourage you as they have?). Too, I think you need to discuss the problems with losing weight and getting healthy with your T rather than writing a letter?

I was normal weight when I started therapy and gradually gained as I got healthier :-) My T and I discussed that 25 or so years later, how I "blamed" therapy for my becoming obese (instead of living in my head, I came out into the world but in a "tank" body to protect me?).

As interesting as I feel it is to understand one's emotions and feelings about weight and one's body, etc., I now think it is not necessarily all that important; we live life each day as a "whole", not just our heads, not just our thoughts, feelings/emotions, not just our body. Talking about anything is not doing. Talking about anxiety does not make one braver, talking about how much one is overweight and how afraid one is to lose weight does not lose the weight.

Losing weight is about eating more healthfully (smaller portions, more nutritiously dense food) and using our body, moving it as it was meant to be used and learning to and actually facing the difficulties one confronts in doing those actions. I am 62 and still struggle with whether to have 2 beers or 3+ sometimes, whether to order the green vegetable or the french fries :-) Eating and moving our body are not easy activities but they are part of life and the choices we make each day.

If I were you, I would start by choosing to tell your T you are interested in talking about and working on your body issues of eating habits and weight. I would study what I feel I am doing "wrong" (obviously you feel your eating habits have at least one problem?), maybe get a workbook on weight loss, and discuss the process as you live it with your T.

[rainbow8]

I think it's a great letter! It's short, honest and says what you want. I'm not sure how much your T will want to "lead the way". It depends on the T, but for sure he will help get you started in talking about it! Will you email this, mail it, or give it to him before your session?

[Dos3512]

Just give it to her when i walk in

[lrt1978]

When it comes to her leading her the way, she can use her knowledge to help you get going, me & my therapist just work together sometimes she leads sometimes I do.

Good luck hope it goes well xxx

[autotelica]

Instead of saying "lead the way", I would ask your therapist for guidance and support.

[Dos3512]

Thanks everyone for your input. It will make tomorrows visit much easier.