Recovery from entrenched eating disorder

I have been seeing Lori for about a month now. I have been living/functioning with an eating disorder for what feels like most my life. Thoughts of food and body image have flooded my thoughts for years and I just couldn’t do it anymore. I am so grateful to have found Lori. For the first time I actually feel that I will be able to overcome these obstacles. Lori is so easy to talk to and be completely honest with. She challenges me each week but isn’t asking me to do anything I can’t handle. I completely trust her in guiding me to a healthier happier me. Thank you Lori Lieberman & Associates!

Improving health, managing weight

All I can say is that choosing Lori Lieberman & Associates was the best decision that I could make in regards to improving my health. I have been working with Margot Healey who is amazing for the last 5 months. The reason being is that as I get older I have found it difficult to loose weight. During each visit she listens to what is going on with my life and with my food diary. Margot provides suggestions to improve both my food choices as well as meal plans. For someone who has never cooked, Margot now has me cooking several healthy meals a week. I can’t thank Margot and her team for the continued support and guidance. They treat you like family and not just a number. Margot reminds me that this is not a diet but a game plan to improve my health one day and one meal at a time.

So easy to work with

I am very grateful for the time, attention and assistance Sharon has given me. She’s open and receptive, gives feedback, insight, tips and encouragement. Just the kind of help I need.
Thank you!

Weight management, healthier perspective

After years of dieting, (you name it I’ve tried it- Atkins, WW, Paleo, Grapefruit, Intermittent Fasting, and numerous other approaches) and after losing and gaining unwanted weight and spending countless hours fretting about food and wellness, I found my way to Lori Lieberman. We started working together and things were going well but I was unfortunately interrupted with a health crisis that had nothing to do with nutrition or food. I said goodbye to Lori after explaining that I had to concentrate on treatment and dealing with a complicated and scary medical situation.

Well, when it was resolved a few years later, I decided to go back and resume my work with Lori. I knew I was not done with my journey of trying to come to peace with food and my weight and now I had an added dimension…. I wanted help with specific nutrition to address my medical issues, combined with wanting to lose weight and do it all while dealing with the remnants of a longstanding stubborn eating disorder.

Luckily, I found myself in the right hands. Enough about me let’s talk about Lori. …First of all , she is smart, compassionate, educated and thoughtful, not to mention, gentle but firm, open, creative and analytical. Also, she looks and is fit and trim and healthy …and bonus…she loves food! She is so joyful about eating and really knows how to rejoice in nourishing herself and enjoying the beauty and pleasures of food (taste, sight, smell and texture) without monkey mind. Her approach is refreshingly holistic and focuses on the whole person and wellness overall. Nothing is black and white. There is room for everything. Lori dug right in to my over lapping goals and set to work on them with me. She even conducted some careful research before our first session when I returned, to answer my questions about optimal nutrition to address my specific medical /nutritional concerns.

In this process, I am trying to be trusting and patient because I realize I have just started on this journey toward a better approach to nutrition and health. One that lets go of shoulds, guilt and overthinking. I am hopeful that with Lori’s patient understanding, informed and thoughtful guidance I will someday be able to enjoy food in a relaxed and sensible way and still achieve my long term goals of fitness, great health and wellness.

To have peace and joy around food and weight and not compulsiveness, restraint and guilt would be a gift. I am betting that Lori will be able to guide me there

Male eating disorder

My son’s pediatrician recommended Lori Lieberman & Associates for my son who was diagnosed with an eating disorder. To say my husband and I were overwhelmed with his diagnosis, is an understatement. I had no idea what to expect when we first met with Emma Falconer. My son was extremely nervous and my emotions were all over the place. However, my son immediately clicked with her. She was kind, understanding, and very knowledgeable.

My son left that first appointment with HOPE! It was the first time in a long time that he felt like it was possible for him to get better! We have been seeing Emma for the last few months and he continues to improve each week and I credit a lot of that success to Emma. I think Emma is fantastic and she has made a very difficult situation easier. She is a huge asset to Lori Lieberman & Associates. I am so grateful for all she has done for my child.

Diabetes and diet improvement

I was referred to Lori Lieberman by my PCP because of diabetes. It was a turning point in my life. Not only did my sugar numbers improve but I also lost almost 30 lbs. in just about 4 months. She taught me the right way to eat. I can’t thank Lori enough for all the help she had to give me but more importantly for all the help she didn’t have to give me!

Adolescent eating disorder

Thank you so much for all your help. I truly believe that without your help it would have taken me considerably longer to get on the road to recovery. You gave me a big scare but I think that was just what I needed to realize the severity of my problem. Since coming back home I have made a conscious effort to eat more and get my weight back up. My BMI is now 20.3 and I am feeling like me old self again. I no longer see food as my enemy and can have chocolate and other treats without worrying about it. When I look at myself in the mirror, instead of seeing a fatter me, I see a healthier me. There is no comparison to my personality during last year and now. I am happy and find joy in doing the things I used to love such as basketball. I have recently taken up the guitar and I am really enjoying it. I am focused on building muscle and I know that that takes a lot of food to do. I also know that in order for me to function correctly I must fuel my body properly.

I didn’t comprehend how much of a negative effect on your personality starving yourself has but I am now aware that a healthy body and a healthy mind go hand in hand. I can see muscles in my arms that I have never seen before and this is a great incentive to keep eating enough to build muscle. Last year I was affected terribly by the cold winter and I was always freezing but now I don’t feel the cold as much because I have some insulation.

My self-confidence is sky high compared to last year. I can walk up to people and initiate a conversation without any hesitation. My family is also very pleased and relieved with my progress. I was not aware how concerned everyone was about me but I fully understand why they did worry about my health. My Mother and Father were very concerned about me but they now think I look healthy and happy again.

I will be forever grateful to you for helping me to break this harmful cycle — you may very well have saved my life. I wish you and your sons all the best in the future. I will never forget what you did for me.

A healthy relationship with food, enjoying life

Lori’s approach has changed our lives: pure and simple.

I began seeing Lori about 6 months ago. My daughter was off to college soon and I wanted to make sure that she would have proper eating habits. I have struggled with my weight all my life. Never being able to lose that extra 30 lbs. I have tried every diet and have spent thousands of dollars in search of the perfect one. I even tried overeaters anonymous. I thought I knew everything there was to know about dieting. Yet my life continued to revolve around food.

My daughter asked me to go into her visits with Lori and so I did. Only when I began to realize that dieting was the WHOLE problem did I begin to lead a balanced life. The constant food thoughts disappeared. As a result my daughter and I have lost weight. We have learned how to have a healthy relationship with food and now spend more time enjoying life. Most importantly my daughter has been spared all those years of insanity!

Male eating disorder

My 16-year-old son has had an eating disorder for approximately a year; it started in August, getting progressively worse. We live in Ireland where resources in this specialty are very limited to non-existent. We have a wonderful GP but he just doesn’t have the expertise to deal with my son’s problem.

We spent 3 ½ weeks in Boston in July, 2009. My niece had researched on line and found Lori. We saw Lori twice a week while here. I can say with absolute certainty that Lori has turned our lives around. I feel she may actually have saved my son’s life. He was on a very slippery slope when we met Lori; the change in him is already dramatic.

I can’t find words to explain my gratitude to her. I am a registered nurse, but I have absolutely no experience in eating disorders. It is imperative that people see specialists when there’s a serious problem- and we had a serious problem. I realize we have a long road ahead, but I feel Lori has given us the tools to deal with whatever comes up in the future. I only wish we had someone of her professional caliber in Ireland; she’s literally a lifesaver. We will never forget her, she’s a professional, she is also a warm and compassionate person. Our sessions with her were very emotional at times; she always provided emotional support and kept us focused.

We will miss you Lori, I’ll keep in touch and let you know how my son is doing. Consider this one of your great success stories. I hope!!

Sincerely,

Impressed with your staff

I just wanted to comment on my appointment that I had with Marie Anderson. I recently found out that I have high cholesterol. She was excellent. She was very informative and helpful. She not only was patient with my questions and concerns, but also she went, what I thought, was above and beyond in explaining the packaging and cholesterol as a whole. I was very impressed. I will definitely refer your services to anyone who may need it! Thank you.

A healthy view of food and weight

I just wanted to thank you again for all of your help. I could not have lost the weight without you! I’m really amazed at how easy it was with your guidance. For the first time ever, I feel like I’m in control of my eating habits, and I’m happy with my weight and how I look. I’m amazed that I have made such progress and finally have a healthy view of food and weight. I really appreciate all of your help and support.

Transformation

I truly feel you have transformed me, my life, my health, my body, my outlook. I will forever be grateful for your guidance, encouragement, and motivation.

Changing habits, losing excess weight

I get asked at least once a week how I lost so much weight. I tell everyone about how you changed my eating habits. I’m down to 140 pounds (total weight loss 49 pounds).

Gaining control

For the first time in at least ten years, I can honestly say that I am in control. Your confidence in me and compassionate ways surpassed any other help I received.

Support and tools for eating disorder recovery

Lori Lieberman has provided much more than nutrition counseling, she’s provided support and encouragement, creative approaches and coping skills. In the world of eating disorders she provides a safe and comfortable place to learn how to cope, for patients and families, and gives them the tools for success.

Lower cholesterol

I expected that the LDL [cholesterol] would be lower, but not 50 points lower! Thank you for your expertise….

Diabetes control without medication

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the help you’ve given me in my bout with diabetes. When I first met you in July, I knew nothing about nutrition. With your help, I am now able to control my diabetes without any medications. I have been to parties, baseball games and lots of other social situations and, with your advice, was able to have fun, and enjoy myself without starving. And the comments that I have gotten about my weight loss are just incredible. And, finally, and probably most importantly, I feel good about myself.

Self acceptance

I never had to lie when I didn’t eat as I should have.

Reducing cholesterol with dietary changes

I recently was referred to your company by my PCP, Dr. Ed Hartman. My cholesterol was a bit high and he thought a change in diet would be an effective first step in trying to lower it.

At 6′ 2″, 235 pounds, I never thought the weight would come off as quickly as it did, but being regimented to Margot’s plan and with a little help from my wife, I’ve lost just under 18 pounds in a 2 month period! I’m feeling better, have more energy and in another 5-7 pounds, will hopefully be back right into all those skinny cloths in the back of my closet!

Margot was a pleasure to deal with, a great resource and very knowledgeable and professional in her nutritional knowledge.”

Achieving a healthy weight without dieting

Lori Lieberman has been working with me for two years. Seeking her help was the best decision I have made in a very long time. I have been a yo-yo dieter for most of my adult life with no permanent success. I have tried Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and my own diets but I always put back all that I lost and more. Lori has shown me how to eat all the foods I like in moderation and without guilt. She has been very patient, supportive, encouraging, and instructive.

I finally feel that I am in control of my eating habits (most of the time) for the first time in my life. And she has taught me not to feel the distructive guilt when I do have a slip. I am now able to acknowledge that I’ve had a bad time and move forward instead of the previous “what the heck, I’ve blown it so I might as well really blow it”.

I could continue endlessly with how Lori’s help has changed my life for the better and how I now have the confidence to keep to my better eating habits for the rest of my life. The final compliment that I will give her is that she has finally convinced me of the value of exercise. I have avoided it actively but now realize the benefits to my physical and mental health. I am very grateful to her for all that she has shown me. I plan to continue working with Lori for quite a long time into the future. Even when I have reached an appropriate weight for my age and height, I want to have her support and ideas to keep me on track. This is the biggest commitment I have made to myself and it has so far been worth every second of thought and planning. I might have lost weight before but I credit Lori with showing me how to sustain it over the last 2 years and into the rest of my life.

Not eating enough? How can that be?

How does one shift a lifetime behavior in a short period of time?  How does one realize that the lifetime behavior needs to change in the first place?  How does one take the plunge and trust in someone that one hardly knows?

After a single meeting with Lori, I knew she ‘gets it’.  She asked questions, listened to my replies, heard what I was saying and not saying and gave me guidance to begin my recovery.  I had described to doctors over the course of a year that I was feeling constant muscle fatigue and weariness in spite of an exercise program, adequate sleep and what I thought to be a healthy low calorie diet.

Lori quickly honed in on the crux of the problem – not enough fuel for my body.  Who would have thought that one could actually ‘diet’ too much.  Restricting calories had been my guide all of my life – I had no idea what the true impact of that could be on my body and my spirit.  Increasing food intake to meet my body’s fuel requirements for existence and exercise was the ticket to feeling alive again.

Learning about nutrition and changing eating patterns does not happen overnight but, I have a great coach and sounding board  to guide me through to a healthy place that is finally balanced.

Moving from the allure of dieting

I chose to seek professional nutritional counseling with Lori Lieberman in an effort to manage my high cholesterol, lose weight, and just feel better. Like most women, I have a history of being a seasoned dieter with plans that included: carb only diet, diet shakes, counting points, and also a high protein low carb diet. Each plan resulted in no long term success.  Lori Lieberman is an excellent Registered Dietitian who is very well educated, has lot of experience and is extremely knowledgeable. She is very easy to talk to as well as a good listener.  Each session with Lori is invaluable. She has taught me to break some old bad habits, introduced me to some new ideas and always answers my questions.  She has offered sensible advice and still encourages me to eat what I enjoy.  Although I am a new patient, I am already starting to feel better, gradually losing weight and gaining a lot more knowledge!

Overcoming bingeing and restricting

I had been struggling with an eating disorder (binge eating and restrictive eating) for the past 12 years. I had come to a point over the past year and half where I would eat normally and then would binge for a period of time.

I began to binge everyday and literally got to the point that I didn’t think I could pull myself out of it. Then I saw a tag line from Lori on Twitter which led me to her website and a quote that still reminds me to this day how far I’ve come…it was “You will have a normal relationship with food.” I never thought that would happen. I had been dealing with food issues since I was 18 and was about to turn 30 and still couldn’t kick it. I finally decided that this was the time to get help and truly get help, however there was one problem – I live in New York City and Lori is in Massachusetts.

Thankfully this was not an issue. Lori had an opening for a Skype patient. I started Skyping with Lori about 4 months ago to treat my binge and restrictive eating disorder. To actually have it diagnosed was huge. No one ever said I had an eating disorder…it was always oh you have ‘eating issues’. However her labeling my eating disorder helped me to further heal and get better.

Lori is an amazing person and an amazing nutritionist…she helped me trust myself and learn to love cooking more than eating out. I didn’t feel any difference Skyping vs. talking in person. She was still there with me every step of the way. I realized what I had been doing all these years and am here to say that I am on the other side of it. I beat it! I beat my eating disorder! I know there will be bumps in the road but I have such a confidence in myself and trust myself to know how to cope and deal with my emotions and eating. I now truly enjoy eating and everything that comes with it.

Thank you Lori for everything!

Counseling via Internet and the road to recovery

I remember that one of the first things I asked you when I emailed to see if we could work together was how you managed the delicate balance between nutrition counseling and therapy. Could you get close enough to my emotional issues without trying to do therapy? I was skeptical and worried since I know I carry an ample armload of baggage. I can’t fully express my amazement at your ability to point out really sensitive issues that are tripping me up and then coming to a full stop as you say, “so, take that one to therapy.” You don’t even know what all of those issues are, but we’re still managing to work with them and create positive change in my life.

Your approach is compassionate – how many times do you interrupt rather than reinforce self-blame, guilt and shame in each session? But your approach is also so respectful. I really have come to trust that you will treat me with respect. This makes it possible for me to let you see, and to help me change, behavior that shames me.

I have personal experience, through a good friend’s struggle with anorexia, of “support professionals” who regard the women they work with with barely hidden irritation and contempt. I’ve never heard a whiff of that from you, about me or about any other person who struggles with food and eating.

Your capacity to know where the painful parts are without overexposing me, prying, or offering solutions to those problems is truly unique. It makes our work together unbelievably safe. I’m learning so much about myself on this journey we’re on together that our sessions feel rich, interesting and meaningful. That’s something I never imagined I’d say about an RD!

My kids have a knack for expressing things in short, apt, phrases. When I told my eldest child that I was considering contacting you, she turned to me and said, “and what information is it that you will get that you don’t have now?” It’s true. I’ve read myself silly and could easily lay out many different theories about weight gain and loss. I’m a good and enthusiastic cook. What would I get from you?

This clarity about how my emotional challenges and patterns interact with my eating patterns is what I am getting from our work. I’m learning about self-care (and my own tendency to be harsh with myself) in a clear and tangible way. This learning is already carrying over to other parts of my life as I become more aware of how harshness undermines my ability to pursue my goals just as it undermines my ability to enjoy my dinner.

It’s hard for me to believe that we have managed to create this full and rewarding relationship about my eating patterns when I don’t even live in the United States! Our Skype sessions have been lively, connected and real. It’s a real gift to be able to benefit from your expertise even at this distance.

With great appreciation,

Better Parkinson’s management

“Lori Lieberman really saved me.  I have Parkinson’s disease, and protein can seriously affect my absorption of dopamine, the medication that keeps me going.   When I first met Lori, I was rundown, frightened, and losing weight at a rapid clip.  Lori showed me the 7-1 carbohydrate-protein program for dopamine absorption, and gave me several strategies for weight gain.  My medical team adjusted my meds.  Eight weeks later, I had put on eight pounds, and felt like a whole new person.  Lori gave me my life back.”