There are many chronic diseases we can manage with lifestyle medicine. I work most frequently with: 

  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Fatty Liver Disease (formerly NAFLD, now renamed MASLD)
  • Obesity

Of these, obesity is the only chronic disease we can see. You might not know if someone has high blood pressure, just by looking at them. It is difficult to see someone’s diabetes or fatty liver, when you see them in passing.

Unfortunately, individuals who struggle with obesity are often stigmatized and perceived poorly.

When we have obesity, we tend to treat ourselves negatively as well.

Being so hard on ourselves can make it difficult to change behaviours and build healthy habits.

Rather than beating ourselves up, being self-compassionate helps us overcome obstacles and makes it easier to live healthier and happier lives.

As Kristin Neff says, “When we are able to offer ourselves compassion, we are better able to handle life’s challenges and show up as our best selves.”