Challenges Archives – Dr. Bishop's Ottawa Weight Loss Center

3 07, 2020

Thought Barriers, Defenses and Rationalizations

Doug Bishop2020-07-03T12:11:52-04:00July 3rd, 2020|Motivational Letters|

I was thinking about my own rationalizations around habits recently, and remembered a letter I sent out 10 years ago that really touched on this subject. I wanted to go back to it here, as so many patients I speak with are dealing with the same issue of thought barriers and rationalizations when it comes to making healthy changes. What is it that allows us to take our focus off our desire for successful weight loss and better health? We all share the hope to be optimally healthy, yet, in a flash, our minds come up with some pretty ‘acceptable’ [...]

29 06, 2020

Tomorrow is a New Day

Doug Bishop2020-06-29T16:07:07-04:00June 29th, 2020|Motivational Letters|

After a number of days of hit-and-miss when it came to choosing proper foods (I’m trying to think about health mainly, fat loss being a factor in that), I was pretty frustrated with my inconsistency. You must realize: I’m constantly listening to medical podcasts discussing the positive results of good nutrition on metabolic and immune health; nevertheless, what I was listening to, and my poor food choices were inconsistent. I desperately wanted to be eating and exercising for optimal health. Yes, I was in a funk. I was disappointed in myself; disappointed in my food choices, food timing, sleep, exercise [...]

22 06, 2020

Creating a “New Normal” Healthy Lifestyle

Doug Bishop2020-06-22T17:39:52-04:00June 22nd, 2020|Motivational Letters|

Lifetime success in health and weight management involves not only changing the way we interact with food but also changing our mindset. Unfortunately, many of us continue in the attempt to get healthier without taking the time to reassess our strategies. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have been forced to develop new strategies to adapt to a new “normal” when it comes to our eating and lifestyle. What may have been a good routine 4 months ago all of a sudden didn’t work anymore. We must stop and ask ourselves questions about what might have worked in the [...]

5 06, 2020

Exercise for Better Immunity, More Brain Power and Better Concentration

Doug Bishop2020-06-05T21:41:08-04:00June 5th, 2020|Uncategorized|

All of us come up with excuses not to exercise or move our bodies. Throughout this Pandemic, some people have found consistent exercise routines that fit their “new normal”; others, like myself, have struggled to find consistency with exercise and movement. I was trying to de-clutter old paperwork and came across lecture notes from a talk by John Ratey, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard’s continuing Medical Education Program. The title of one of his talks was “Exercise and the Brain.” If you ever have excuses not to exercise (like I do), then you might dwell on some of his [...]

29 05, 2020

Reflections

Doug Bishop2020-05-29T09:38:15-04:00May 29th, 2020|Uncategorized|

Rarely do I like talking about my habits or frustrations with my eating; however, I wanted to share some of my personal reflections. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with prediabetes; a total surprise to me. I did not believe my doctor and the blood results, so had a nurse test me at the hospital. Yep, elevated blood sugars. This was quite a scare, so began home testing and being more vigilant with my intake of carbohydrates. The blood sugars gradually came under control, although my weight didn’t change that much Fast forward to this past year. Even with regular [...]

22 05, 2020

Choose Your Future Self

Doug Bishop2020-05-22T20:53:34-04:00May 22nd, 2020|Motivational Letters|

Over the last few months, I’ve listened to many people tell me how they “just can’t stop snacking in the evening.” Or, they talk about how they “just can’t get back on track.” These are challenging times. Many have felt the burden of added stress. All of us are on different boats in the same storm. However, the comments above reflect choices being made. When people make comments like this, they have pre-determined that they are unable to stop snacking. When you choose to see yourself as incompetent or incapable, you will experience incompetence and incapability. When you choose to [...]

15 05, 2020

Health First

Doug Bishop2020-05-15T15:30:36-04:00May 15th, 2020|Motivational Letters|

Not a day goes by where I don’t hear peoples’ experiences of unhealthy (meaning highly processed) food choices. Whether it is the isolation, the anxiety of the unknown timeline of all this, the frustration of not being able to be with friends or other family members; all these things are affecting our moods. This varies from boredom to anger to frank depression, which can lead to carb cravings and extra snacks. I get it. It is extremely hard to maintain good nutritional discipline when we are feeling down. It also is a difficult time to be thinking about weight loss. [...]

8 05, 2020

Mental Roadblocks

Doug Bishop2020-05-08T14:18:39-04:00May 8th, 2020|Motivational Letters|

For many of us, this topic is hitting close to home during these uncertain times. It is important to recognize the mental barriers we create in times of uncertainty, fear, anxiety or discomfort. This idea started going through my mind as I contemplated going outside to walk. To tell the truth, I really did not want to go outside. Even though I had been inside, in a small space, for most of the day, the thought of going out created a feeling of overwhelming fatigue. I recognized that the walk would likely give me energy to accomplish other things I’d [...]

1 05, 2020

We Are With You

Doug Bishop2020-05-01T14:55:47-04:00May 1st, 2020|Uncategorized|

This week, Maureen has written her insights and advice about healthy living during the COVID-19 pandemic, see below. We are inspired daily by our patients’ resilience and determination during these uncertain times. Many of them have been feeling down, frustrated and out of sorts, as most of us have. Yet, even changing one small thing can create a different outlook and sense of well-being. I encourage you all to think of one thing to do this weekend that would make you feel good, whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual…anything that gives you a sense of purpose or accomplishment. We are [...]

24 04, 2020

Be Strong

Doug Bishop2020-04-24T10:07:34-04:00April 24th, 2020|Motivational Letters|

As time goes by, with no real light (yet-hopefully soon) at the end of the isolation tunnel, I find myself, and others starting to drift. We lose focus on ourselves. We begin to drift somewhat throughout the day; we move less and find our motivation wanes. In a way, when the isolation began, it was not enjoyable, but it was novel (excuse the viral pun). We did adapt and create a new routine. I found I was more focused on moving more, and keeping myself as busy as possible throughout the day. Unfortunately, I (and I am sure many others) [...]

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