Gastric Banding for Children
I am actually outraged by the study that has been published in the Journal of the American medical Association (JAMA) that has advocated for an increase in juvenile gastric banding. What the study doesn’t say is that the research centre who did the study obtains the majority of their funding from the manufacturer of the Lapband. I am always suspicious by any study that is conducted by institutions that are funded by companies and the outcome is reflective of the funding.
Although the ‘Lifestyle Intervention’ component of the study reads quite comprehensive but if you really read into it, it does not go far enough for a full family change. Parents need to be highly educated with the children and then it needs to be a team effort. The parents need to make sure they do not drop the ball and stay consistent. Childhood and adolescent obesity is not just about the children it is a full family perspective and one that needs a lot of hard work, patience, persistence, commitment, team work and consistency.
Whether people have gastric banding or lose weight the natural way, there is still a 50% of weight gain in the long-term if they do not get adequate psychological, nutritional and fitness counselling. The majority of programs give adequate nutritional counselling but very few give adequate (if at all) psychological and fitness counselling. Your mind holds the key to success or failure and yet this is the one component of gastric surgery that gets the least attention.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Need Help Surviving Christmas and Your Family?
Fit Minds & Bodies (Kellee’s Psychology Practice) is staying open over the Christmas and New Year period during 2009/2010.
If you feel as though you cannot cope during this time and need some support, we are offering discounted rates! We are slashing our rates just to help people get through the holiday season with the sanity intact.
Normally $160/hour
NOW ONLY – $100/hour
Face-to-Face
Webcam
Phone
Whatever type of consultation you require, we can assist with.
If you live in Australia, you have several options:
- GP referral through Medicare (GP Item 2710) – for Healthcare Card holders or Family Benefit A then you will have no expenses outside of the Medicare rebate. Those without the consessions, you will only need to pay an extra $20
- GP referral – rebated through your private health fund or tax
- Just make an appointment
If you live outside of Australia, all you need to do is make an appointment and say whether you would like Skype (webcam or voice only) or phone.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW
Please include the following in your email:
Full Name and contact details
3 preferences for appointments
Type of consultation – face, phone, cam
Referral – yes/no and type
Basic description of issues e.g. anxiety, depression, stress, family
Terms & Conditions:
Once an appointment time is arranged then an invoice will be sent out.
If a referral from a GP is obtained, the referral needs to be faxed from the GP office directly to Fit Minds & Bodies prior to the appointment – 07 3356 9748.
Full payment must be made in advance through electronic banking or the consultation does not occur. If it is a face-to-face consultation then monies are to be exchanged prior to the consultation commencing.
The client will be given a receipt of payment either on the day, mailed to them, faxed or emailed.
The client is responsible for obtaining rebates from the appropriate health fund.
The client agrees to a 50% cancellation fee if there is less than 24 hours notice of cancellation.
The client agrees that all information provided in the contact and disclosure forms are true and correct.
The psychologist agrees that all information is confidential and will not be shared with any other party unless written notice from the client is given. If you enter into a Medicare referral plan, the GP will get a brief report on progress.
Christmas Survival Guide
Surviving the festive season with minimal stress and optimal balance can be very difficult. The Mind and Body Power Newsletter is dedicated to helping you survive the silly season with your sanity intact as well as your waistlines.
The newsletter gives you many hints and tips on all aspects of your life to help you find some sense of balance and reduce the stress as much as possible.
Inside the newsletter, we have revealed the Mind and Body Power Christmas/New Year specials. The amazing value will help to keep you on track and motivated every week. We have never offered such value and we are excited about the new resources that we are launching at the beginning of next year to help our members become even more successful.
Mind and Body Power Holiday Survival Guide
If you want to get the newsletter directly into your inbox each month just go to: Mind and Body Power and sign up to the newsletter. Just for signing up for the newsletter, you will also receive a free hypnosis script to help de-stress you and help you achieve your goals faster.
What has food, a cuppa and music got in common?
The Mind & Body Power July newsletter is ready for download. Simply click on the image below and you will be taken to it.
This month we have:
- Coffee vs tea. Which is better?
- The power of music
- Cheap and easy family meal ideas – mince.
If your email is not set to display images then click on the link below, or copy/paste it into your browser, and you can get the newsletter that way:
http://mindandbodypower.com.au/newsletter/mbp-july-newsletter.pdf
You will need the Adobe pdf reader, which you probably have installed already. If not then get it, for free, from here: Get the Adobe Reader
If you have any problems getting your newsletter then please let us know and we’ll assist you if we are able.
Don’t forget that the full membership special we are running during the Australian Woman’s Weekly Worldwide Walk closes at the end of the month. There is a great saving so take advantage of that and join the program at a reduced rate and start to get your life and health on track. For details, or to join, simply visit our site at: Mind & Body Power
We are always looking for new stories, particularly about YOU, so if you have something to share please send us an email. Similarly, if there is something you would particularly like to see in a future newsletter then please let us know and we’ll see what we can do.
Want to be a winner if you sabotage yourself?
Self sabotage is the most common cause of failure when it comes to sticking to a weight loss program or trying to change your health and lifestyle.
It is always good to try and keep a sense of humor when looking back at your sabotage attempts. I should know as I have done some pretty ridiculous and outrageous things in my time to sabotage myself. I have decided to put pen to paper and share my experiences and I am asking you to come and join me.
By sharing some of your most ridiculous, amazing, desperate stories, excuses, lies you could WIN!
If your story is chosen for the book or appears on the website you will WIN a 6-month FULL MEMBERSHIP to the MIND & BODY POWER PROGRAM valued at over $167.00.
Go to:
http://mindandbodypower.com.au/?p=682
TO SHARE & WIN TODAY!
Mind and Body Power – Weight Loss Program for the Whole Family
It has been a while since I posted and I have been slack. I have been very busy building a new website and business.
Mind & Body Power is a weight loss program the includes the whole family. Even if only 1 person in the family has a weight problem then it is an issue that needs to be tackled by the whole family. Each person who is overweight needs support in making lifestyle changes to lose weight or to become healthier. It is easier for the person who is trying to make changes if the changes are universal within the family unit. The Mind & Body Power focuses on team work in all aspects of life.
The Mind & Body Power program looks at the mind, relationships, emotions, thinking, nutrition, and activity.
It is a gradual program over 16 weeks that guides people in making changes in each part of their life each week. Changing everything at once leads to failure! This program leads to success because it is gradual.
If you are someone who wants to make sustainable lifestyle changes that improve your self-esteem, health, relationships, knowledge and skills then the Mind & Body Power program is for you.
Check it out: http://mindandbodypower.com.au
Seeking Overweight or Obese Family or Couple for Program Urgently!
I am currently and URGENTLY seeking families and/or couples in Brisbane who would like to partake in a mind and body 16-week fitness program for FREE.
It is NOT a Biggest Loser type program! It is a fitness program based on walking so the participants only need to be fit enough to be able to walk.
The program has been developed by me and is based on my personal and professional experiences.
The program will include such topics as:
- good nutrition
- budgeting and buying healthy food options
- working together
- activity – based on a walking program
- communication
- emotions
- relationships
- parenting (if it is a family)
- self-esteem
- self-efficacy.
The criteria that I need for the right people to participate is:
- healthy enough to participate in a walking program
- overweight or obese
- families – mum, dad and kids
- couples
- willing to commit and participate for up to 16 weeks (the program usually costs in excess of $4000 but it is FREE to the participants)
- willing to meet with me on a weekly or fortnightly basis
- keep progress notes
- willing to be interviewed and talk about some of your history of weight problems and experiences of the program for a high profile women’s magazine and for the business entities that I own
- willing to be photographed in a high profile women’s magazine and for the business entities that I own
The aim of the Mind & Body Power program is to empower you to develop your own long-term weapon for success against obesity. The program helps you to gain the power, control, resources and skills to choose the life and lifestyle you want to live.
If you are interested please email: kellee@insideweightlosssucess.com
Sleep, Stress and Weight – Some tips and hints
In the last article I discussed my experiences with insomnia and how it changed everything about me. This is the continuation of my journey and also some of the tips and hints that may or may not help.
If you are trying to lose weight, the research is pointing to sleep as one of the critical contributors to weight loss and weight gain. I have definitely experienced that! I put on approximately 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds) overnight! No matter what I changed in my diet, how much I exercised I would only be able to change my weight by a kilo or two. Months prior to this, if I had have done the same routine, I would have easily lost 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) easily. I noticed that I have cellulite EVERYWHERE! I didn’t have this before. I had it in the typical problem areas as most women do but it has crept to the top of my arms, back and stomach!!
I finally went to my doctor after trying everything I knew including hypnosis scripts, herbal teas, herbal supplements such as valerian and passionflower, aromatherapy. This all helped me to get to sleep but within an hour or two I would be awake again and couldn’t get back to sleep. My last resort (and requested by my partner) was to try the pharmacology route. My doctor said it is only a short term process to get my body/mind, habits and hormones back in balance and then I should be fine to come off the medication. I have done this now for 3 days and am amazed in the difference! I have slept for a minimum of 5 hours to a maximum of 8 hours. I have noticed the following changes:
- I am more alert and have slightly more energy (although a little grogy at times from the medication)
- I have a slightly higher tolerance for stress (still improving – but the stress is very high right now)
- Within 3 days I have lost almost 2 kilos (4.4 pounds) without trying
- I look and feel as though I am holding less fluid
- I feel as though I am happier (you will have to ask my partner and step son about that though)
- My cravings for food have started to reduce – I no longer NEED caffeine, sugar and carbohydrates first thing in the morning to kick start me
I feel as though I am back in control of my life again rather than the lack of sleep, fatigue and motivation.
This is now what my bedroom looks more like at night!
But I feel more like this because I am having such deep sleep – but I don’t look like this! And we know that Homer may get enough sleep but his diet is appalling, he drinks way too much beer and doesn’t exercise!
Some basics that are really important to help reduce cortisol (stress) levels and to help you sleep better so you can naturally lose weight are:
Sleep, Stress & Weight – The Effects
It has been a while since I lasted posted anything and this is because the stress in my life has multiplied in the last month or so:
- I have become a full-time mother to my partner’s child (I did not expect to be a full-time mother until I had my own)
- We have a small house and we have had to change our house around to fit our new addition in
- The mother is taking us to court over custody even though the child has stated his requests (this has contributed to the most significant stress)
- The money that it is costing to fight a legal family battle
- Starting 2 new businesses
- Oh, I forgot to mention that my partner snores and talks in his sleep!
This is what it has looked like in my bedroom for the last couple of months! 
As a psychologist you would think that I could use all of the tools in my tool box to help me manage the stress and sleep better. Well to no avail! Due to the increased stress, my sleep has suffered and I have averaged 2 hours of sleep per night. It has been a good experiment for me to see how it affects me and to qualify the research on the effects of sleep on the human psyche and body.
Many years ago I had a back injury with chronic pain and this interrupted my sleep considerably. I was getting approximately 4 – 5 hours of sleep per night. Oh how fondly I look back at those times when I now lay in bed wide awake, trying techniques but nothing is working.
I found this collage of pictures below and thought that it perfectly describes insomnia:
I noticed several changes in my own mind, body and behaviour:
Sleep Cycles
The following information is from
The Sleep Cycle moves from Stage I to REM then it begins all over again and continues throughout the night. Most people complete 3 to 5 cycle each night. Each cycle lasts between 90 and 110 minutes. Towards the end of sleep the body does not reach stages III and IV as it prepares to wake up.
|
Non REM sleep
|
Stage I
|
Light sleep |
|
Eye and muscle activity slow |
||
|
Brain activity decreases by 50% |
||
|
Individual may experience sudden muscle contractions |
||
|
On this stage the individual and be easily aroused |
||
|
Stage II
|
Eye movement stops |
|
|
Muscle activity stops |
||
|
Brain waves slow down |
||
|
Small burst of brain activity begin (also known as Sleep spindles) |
||
|
Stage III
|
Deep sleep Starts |
|
|
Brain begins to produce slow delta waves |
||
|
There is no eye or muscle movement |
||
|
Stage IV
|
Deep sleep |
|
|
Brain produces only delta waves |
||
|
No muscle or eye movement |
||
|
Hard to awaken |
||
|
REM sleep
|
Heart and breathing rates increase |
|
|
Eye movement is quick and irregular |
||
|
Blood pressure rises |
||
|
Breathing becomes shallow |
||
|
Almost complete loss of muscle control |
||
|
Penile erections (males) and vaginal moistening (females) |
||
|
Sleeper begins to dream (more intense, vivid dreams) |
||
