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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    I'm afraid to ask for help, how do I overcome that?

    Related Topics
    Nutrition Weight Management
    I'm thinking about starting a diet, but I'm afraid to ask for help from those around me. I have been a very independent person my whole life and up until this point in my life I have been able to do things on my own. But now I'm scared to ask for help because I feel like it will make me seem weak because I can't do a diet on my own. In my mind its the scariest thing ever to do, but I really want to feel better with my body. I want to love my body again. I just would like help to figure out how to ask for the help and support. Thanks
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  • 1

    Thanks

    Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    I have two suggestions to offer you:

    Seeing an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) could help. APDs are health professionals who work with people who would like advice about what they eat, An APD will be able to review what you eat with you and (depending) suggest helpful changes. You can find an APD here;  http://daa.asn.au/for-the-public/find-an-apd/ .

    If you feel that you may be at risk of an Eating Disorder then the Butterfly Foundation (http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/) is a great local resource.

    All the best. 

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  • Angela McGinnis

    Diabetes Educator, Registered Nurse

    I am a Nurse Practitioner with special interests and experience in diabetes, cardiovascular, heart failure, wounds and vascular. I can prescribe and order diagnostics. I … View Profile

    Well done for posting this. It is not easy for some people to ask for help.

    Dr Simon has given you some good advice. Dieticians are invaluable in helping with weight loss and healthy eating. 

    You could talk to your GP or Nurse Practitioner regarding this also. 

    Losing weight is hard, putting it on is easy..I know. 

    Good luck. You have taken the first step.

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    Agree

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    Nina Mills

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    Nina is an anti-diet, weight-inclusive Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, offering virtual and in-person nutrition counselling for people with eating and body concerns along … View Profile

    Good on you for wanting to take steps to feel better about your body and acknowledging that asking for help can be scary. You haven't said that you specifically want help from a health professional, but want advice on how to ask for help from those around you. What about if you looked at it from the point of view of making a declaration to those around you that you are taking charge of your health and you would love to know what they do to make them feel good about themselves? You might get lots of different answers that just confuses things for you! Or, you might hear something that resonates with you that you would like to try.

    If you were looking for help from a health professional, there are a number of accredited practising dietitians now who don’t prescribe diets, but instead help people develop healthier relationships with food and their bodies. Their focus isn’t on changing the number on the scale, but looking for ways to maximise health through good nutrition, having a good mindset around food and physical activity and feeling comfortable in your own skin. This might be a nicer option for you.

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