How do you know if your diet is working?
“This time will be different. Starting Monday, eating all the crap will be over. I HAVE to do something about this!”
Can I ask you something honestly speaking? How many times have you said this – same - phrase…
Don’t get me wrong, I am by no means here to judge you, because you know what?
I’ve been there, too.
I know EXACTLY how frustrating trying to change your habits, your diet and your life can be.
I mean, we like to eat food. Food serves so much purpose in our life!
All the happy moments that are only ENHANCED by great food– That fantastic Raspberry-Filled wedding cake at your best friend’s wedding.
An AMAZING turkey stuffing your Auntie makes every year for Christmas dinner.
That perfectly moist Carrot Cake Muffin you had at that little corner bakery during your visit to New York City.
And sometimes, food is the end result and BECOMES about the not so great moments….
That time during that breakup and the only thing that made you feel better was Ben and Jerry’s.
Or the time you felt fat and you thought, What’s the point? As you ate another brownie.
Or the time you had a stressful day at work and came home and wanted to eat EVERYTHING even though you’ve been dieting and doing so well and just one cookie can’t hurt and I haven’t had anything BAD so it MUST be okay for me to eat this ------
And then the guilt sets in…………………………….
Why did I eat that?
I was doing so good and now this.
I can’t believe I f'd it up……again.
That’s it! I’m starting a juice cleanse on Monday!
Which is the precise reason I cringe when I see that someone is going to start a cleanse, a low-carb diet, a 30 day whatever… Because this is EXACTLY the setup for the Binge-Eat-Repeat Cycle.
And honestly… it’s not good…
Now, let me be clear. There is NOTHING wrong with any particular style of eating. I absolutely love a nutritious green juice or smoothie. They’re staples in my diet almost weekly!
The problem is when we become focused on any one “food rule” and try to make that our lifestyle, hoping for a dieting miracle.
Then we feel deprived not eating foods we love.
We feel frustrated that our efforts are short-lived because we can’t stick to simple rules.
We feel disappointed in ourselves for failing – yet again.
In fact, I was just talking about this very thing with the members of our Facebook Group, Mind~Body~Nutrition (have you joined?).
So, I decided to do something about it.
I knew there had to be a better way to reach more people and give them the same information that took me YEARS to discover for myself.
So I started learning about eating disorders, intuitive eating, binge eating, nutrition and HOW to approach these issues from a different perspective.
And that's when Beat the Binge was born.
How to know if you’re ready to change your relationship with food?
As a Certified Eating Disorder Therapist, I hear certain phrases and questions all the time.
How do I stop giving in to food cravings?
Why do I keep eating things I know are bad for me?
Which diet is best for me?
That all stops now. Until you ask yourself one question:
How do I know that my diet is even working?
And I mean, REALLY think about this one.
After all, how many diets have you tried now?
Sure, they might have worked for a little while. You may have even lost a LOT of weight at one time. You may have temporarily altered your blood work and gotten an A from you doctor for a short time.
But you’re here now. And that tells me one thing…
The diet really didn't work.
You’ve fallen back into old habits.
You’re back to going through the drive-through because you have no idea what to make for dinner.
You don’t have enough energy to get through the day because you feel sluggish, drained.
You feel hopeless that you’ll ever be able to make the changes you know you need to make and you’re spiraling…
Ask Yourself Why
You know yourself better than anyone else. Be COMPLETELY HONEST and ask:
“Why do I want to stop binge eating or change my relationship with food?”
Really think about this.
Maybe there’s a clear answer, or an answer you only THINK is clear. But when you really stop to question the motive, maybe more things come to the surface.
My number one goal and priority for you is LONG-TERM LIFESTYLE CHANGE.
Meal planning? Healthy eating? Exercise?
None of that means anything if you're not ready to be honest with yourself and where your desires are coming from.
After all, that’s been the problem all along. If you’ve ever dieted, then you KNOW eating healthier has the capacity to WORK. If you have ever consistently exercised, then you KNOW it CHANGES your body.
But the problem isn’t necessarily the diet plan or the exercise routine.
The problem is your desire to change something and the reason why you want to change it. Is it because you want to look a certain way? Finally wear that red bikini? Gain validation from your peers or family members?
My goals for you are simple, because I NEVER want you to have to start on Monday again. EVER.
And you know what gets in the way of our best laid plans and intentions?
Our frustrations.
Our self-esteem.
Self-doubt.
Busy schedules.
Food ruts.
Boredom.
Exhaustion.
Fill in the blank ____________________________________.
Ask yourself HOW.
How am I going to manage my emotions so they don’t get the better of me?
How am I going to keep self-doubt from interfering with my goals?
How am I going to learn to LOVE nutritious foods without becoming bored? ESPECIALLY if I don't know if I'm ready to make these changes.
So here’s the deal…
The answer to how to keep yourself from giving into food cravings and binging is to manage your emotions.
We do this by learning what our triggers are for negative emotions that cause self destructive behaviors. Every behavior or action, is preceded by a thought. Sometimes automatic and seemingly subconscious.
And, if you just had a WTF does all that mean moment? Don’t. Worry.
This is so much easier than it sounds. In fact, we’ll be diving into ALL of this in our Beat the Binge program where we can really SLOOOOW everything down.
But enough about that, we’re here to address the main question:
How do you know if your diet is working?
When will you know you’re “finished” with your diet?
What will your food choices look like once you finish your diet?
Do you LIKE the diet you’re on? I mean, as in, I-can’t-wait-to-eat-the-next-meal-because-food-excites-me-and-food-is-meant-to-be-enjoyed like it?
Do you know what led to the last time you “fell off the wagon” and how do you keep that from happening again? ESPECIALLY if this isn’t the first time and you’ve said that before….
If you do like you’re diet and you’re spending money on meal replacements, shakes, dieting pills, meal plans, etc., how long do you think you’ll have to continue spending money on these strategies? What happens when you stop? What will you eat then?
It’s about creating a lifestyle change that is sustainable, one that doesn’t leave you feeling deprived. One that’s not time-bound because it will be ever-lasting.
It’s about developing a healthy relationship with food, in which ALL foods are neither GOOD nor BAD and you can learn to enjoy all of them in a healthy, manageable way.
THAT is how you know your relationship with food has improved and how you KNOW it’s working because it’s something you will WANT to continue for a lifetime.
Ready to change your relationship and ditch the diet mentality forever?
Beat the Binge is beginning on July 8th and I would love to see you there!
Will My Insurance Pay for Obesity Counseling?
The answer is – it depends. With obesity rates climbing, the American Medical Association declared Obesity as a disease in 2013. With this change also came the cry for insurances to cover for preventative and treatment services for those afflicted with obesity issues.
Will my insurance pay for my counseling regarding obesity, disordered eating or food addiction?
The answer is – it depends. With obesity rates climbing, the American Medical Association declared Obesity as a disease in 2013. With this change also came the cry for insurances to cover for preventative and treatment services for those afflicted with obesity issues. Depending on the insurance, a wide variety of services for prevention and treatment may be available including: bariatric surgery, gastric bypass surgery, intensive counseling, formal weight loss programs, group treatment sessions, health coaches and nutritionist interventions.
Who is eligible for reimbursement?
Most patients will require a screening to see whether or not they meet the requirements for obesity. Most clinics still utilize the BMI scale to measure for obesity and this has been found an acceptable way for medical professionals to diagnose patients. Mental health counselors may also diagnose patients based on behavioral assessment via the Diagnostic Manual. A diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia, or other eating disorder may also help patients meet criteria for reimbursement.
Why does my insurance company tell me I have to be seen by my doctor and my sessions with my counselor don’t count?
Many insurance companies now support the need for treatment of Obesity. However, restrictions require the patient be seen by the primary care physician in a primary care setting. This restricts individuals from seeking treatment from other health professionals such as licensed counselors, psychologists, dietitians and nutritionists. This has presented to be an ongoing issue with many arguing research supports behavioral intervention as a necessity in effective treatment for obesity related problems, an area in which medical doctors and primary care providers have little training.
How can I get my insurance to cover my visits to see my counselor?
Obesity has become a significant problem with nearly 1 out of 3 people affected. Research shows most people afflicted with obesity are also likely to suffer from Binge Eating Disorder, a diagnosable mental health issue. Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming abnormally large amounts of food beyond fullness. Insurance companies are required to provide mental health coverage, however, many employers still make decisions regarding what types of problems are covered. The good news? More and more states are requiring eating disorders to be covered as part of coverage and also recommending weight not be the only factor in deciding if someone is eligible.
How do I discuss coverage with my counselor?
Many mental health providers offer a free consultation before you even begin your sessions. During your consultation, discuss insurance reimbursement with your counselor. He or she may have advice for you on how to get covered and may even be able to facilitate coverage. In addition, your counselor may have other payment options available to make treatment affordable for you.
How do I talk to my insurance about coverage for my obesity treatment?
Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy or health benefit plan. Obtain a copy from your employer or insurance company if you don’t have one.
Understand the insurance policy’s coverage for treatment at an in-network facility versus an out-of-network facility.
Ask your insurance company for a list of in-network treatment facilities.
If the insurance company has no in-network facilities in your area or state, ask your insurance company for a single case agreement with your preferred treatment facility in your area.
Document that the treatment is medically necessary by providing your doctor’s written support, your own letter describing your need for treatment, and if available, letters of support from family members or co-workers.
Document what forms of therapy and treatment you have exhausted by submitting copies of all treatment records to the insurance company.
Ensure that your facility communicates with the insurance company in writing and retains records of correspondence.
Keep records of all out-of-pocket expenses for future reimbursement.
Find out if your state has a Mental Health Parity Law. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a chart outlining the mental health parity laws for each state.
Obtain a copy of the treatment facility’s license to determine if it qualifies as a hospital, skilled nursing facility, congregate living facility, or other health facility license through the state.
Source: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/health-insurance-coverage-for-binge-eating-disorder
Does Madden Wellness accept insurance?
Madden Wellness does not direct bill for insurance. However, we do provide you with a superbill, a medical receipt in which you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
What if my insurance doesn’t reimburse and I can’t pay?
There may be several other options available to you even if your insurance does not reimburse you. Talk to your counselor or health care provider about a payment plan, sliding scale fees or another payment arrangement. In the meantime, continue to discuss options with your insurance provider and keep all records of your treatment.
Madden Wellness is a partner at Open Path Collective, a service which allows clients to pay one monthly payment towards sessions, a convenient and cost effective way to seek treatment.
Madden Wellness also offers Advance Care financing options for those needing affordable treatment. Many individuals may be eligible for 0% financing.
Additional Helpful Resources:
Decision Memo for Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity
Health Insurance Coverage for Binge Eating Disorder
How to Fight for Coverage with an Eating Disorder
What is an Out-of-Network Provider?
Healthy Products for Healthy Living - (Video)
I wanted to introduce you to some of my favorite products that I use almost WEEKLY in my diet. These products make healthy living fun, tasty and simple. Many of these products are available in the Madden Wellness Store as a convenient and easy way for you to find them. I hope you enjoy!
I wanted to introduce you to some of my favorite products that I use almost WEEKLY in my diet. These products make healthy living fun, tasty and simple. Many of these products are available in the Madden Wellness Store as a convenient and easy way for you to find them. I hope you enjoy!
P.S. Please remember to SUBSCRIBE if you don't want to miss any videos!
Click here for the FREE 7 Steps to Stress-Free Meal Planning Guide!
Amber Madden is a Licensed Counseling Associate specializing in Eating Disorders and Obesity. She is the Clinical Director at Madden Wellness Counseling, PLLC. She utilizes her skills in addiction to assist her clients in with Binge Eating, "food addictive" patterns, and develop a positive approach to overall health and wellness. She has a passion for assisting clients in achieving their health goals and learning to love nutritious foods and exercise. For more information visit www.maddenwellnessky.com .
MORE MADDEN WELLNESS SERVICES
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
New Madden Wellness Store
The store is an extension of Amazon where I will have grouped together in convenient categories all of my favorite and highly recommended health and nutrition related products. These are products I, myself, use on a regular basis and regularly recommend to my clients to help make healthy living easy, fun and tasty!
Introducing the Madden Wellness Store!
The store is an extension of Amazon where I will have grouped together in convenient categories all of my favorite and highly recommended health and nutrition related products. These are products I, myself, use on a regular basis and regularly recommend to my clients to help make healthy living easy, fun and tasty!
As always, I would never recommend something to my audience or clients without having thoroughly reviewed the product and it's credibility. These products have either been researched and found to be very helpful in the course of treatment and a person's healthy journey or I have reviewed and tested them myself and have found them to be very beneficial.
The store will be periodically updated and product favorites continuously added, so feel free to bookmark this page and check back often!
The categories are:
- Client Store (products I have recommended to clients during treatment and coaching)
- Fitness Favorites
- Book Recommendations
- Food Favorites
- Kitchen Favorites
For more great product recommendations and discounts on some of your favorite brands, please see Health and Fitness Brand Discounts.
(Disclaimer: When you purchase a product through the Madden Wellness Store, Madden Wellness receives a small commission. This revenue helps to support this site so that we can continue providing free content, free online webinars and more. Thank you!)
Click here for the FREE 7 Steps to Stress-Free Meal Planning Guide!
Amber Madden is a Licensed Counseling Associate specializing in Eating Disorders and Obesity. She is the Clinical Director at Madden Wellness Counseling, PLLC. She utilizes her skills in addiction to assist her clients in with Binge Eating, "food addictive" patterns, and develop a positive approach to overall health and wellness. She has a passion for assisting clients in achieving their health goals and learning to love nutritious foods and exercise. For more information visit www.maddenwellnessky.com .
MORE MADDEN WELLNESS SERVICES
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
