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Tools for Recovery MELISSA GERSON, LCSW Tools for Recovery MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Why Diets don’t Work: The Evidence

The promise of a quick fix through dieting is tempting, but does it actually work? Science says no. Most diets don’t work in the long run, leaving people caught in a frustrating cycle of weight loss and regain. Why? From biological survival mechanisms to the flaws of diet culture itself, the evidence is clear: dieting isn't the answer. Discover why the system is broken—and explore a healthier, more sustainable path to well-being.

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Tools for Recovery MELISSA GERSON, LCSW Tools for Recovery MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Body Weight Set Point: When the Shoe Fits…

The "shoe size analogy" is an illustrative concept used to help individuals understand that just as our feet have a unique, natural size, so too does our body have a weight range that is healthy and natural for us. This analogy can be especially helpful in eating disorder recovery, body image struggles, and the fight against societal pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

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Blog MELISSA GERSON, LCSW Blog MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Exercise Addiction: What You Need to Know

A new study published in the journal Eating and Weight Disorders indicates that exercise addiction is over 3.5 times more likely to occur in people who have an eating disorder versus those who don’t. Through a meta-analysis of nine studies across four countries, this new report analyzed results from over 2,000 participants.

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Blog MELISSA GERSON, LCSW Blog MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Yikes: New WW Dieting App for Kids

WW (the company formerly known as Weight Watchers) recently released a free weight loss app called Kurbo that targets children and young adults, ages 8-17. There are a number of unanswered questions about this new app and the risks it might pose to young people.

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Blog MELISSA GERSON, LCSW Blog MELISSA GERSON, LCSW

Dieting and Weight Loss: Impact on Behavior, Mood, and Thinking

The Starvation Study, conducted by Ancel Keys in the 1940s, revealed profound psychological and physiological effects of starvation on 36 male volunteers, including extreme preoccupation with food, mood disturbances, and distorted self-image. The findings underscored that the intense focus on food and subsequent overeating behaviors are natural responses to severe calorie restriction, highlighting the complex relationship between diet, mental health, and the body’s biological need for nourishment.

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