Dr. Michelle May shares how her personal struggle with failed diet plans and seeing this pattern repeat in her patients led her to create Am I Hungry? mindful eating programs and trainings. Dr. May and Jen discuss the psychology of food, the role that deprivation has on long-term health and how true mindfulness can lead to a healthier relationship with food.
They also examine ways to shift the status quo and paradigm of weight in the workplace. This episode is sure to benefit corporate wellness professionals looking to make an impact with their employees.
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- Why we can’t actually multitask.
- The psychology aspect of eating is as important, if not more important, than the physiological aspect.
- If we can neutralize the power that food has over us, then having treats in the breakroom doesn’t have any power over us.
- Stop focusing on weight and shift the conversation to self-care.
Check out these highlights:
- How we learn conflicting messages about food [5:45]
- Eat, Repent, Repeat cycle of eating [7:25]
- How mindfulness came into the equation [12:00]
- Deconstruction of Mindfulness [15:25]
- Difference between Am I Hungry? and what others call ‘mindful eating’ [21:00]
- Why the mental aspect is so important in mindful eating [34:29]
- How to change the status quo and shift the paradigm of weight in the workplace [40:35]
- The bigger picture of having treats in the breakroom [45:00]
Links mentioned in this episode:
Full Bio:
Michelle May, M.D. is a recovered yo-yo dieter and the founder of Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Programs and Training (www.AmIHungry.com) that helps individuals resolve mindless and emotional eating and senseless yo-yo dieting to live the vibrant life they crave. She has trained over 700 health professionals to facilitate Am I Hungry? mindful eating programs worldwide. Dr. May is the award-winning author of the book series, “Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat” that teaches mindful eating for yo-yo dieting, diabetes, bariatric surgery, binge eating, and students. Her newest book is Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat for Athletes.
Dr. May’s passion, insight, and humor stem from her personal struggle and professional experience. She shares her compelling message and constructive approach with audiences around the country. She has been featured on Dr. Oz, the Discovery Health Channel, and Oprah Radio, and quoted in Cosmo, Fitness, Health, Huffington Post, Parents, Self, Woman’s Day, WebMD, and many more. Her personal success story was published in Chicken Soup for the Dieter’s Soul.
Dr. May was a Family Physician in Phoenix, Arizona with 16 years of clinical experience. She has “retired” from practice to focus on mindful eating. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and her Medical Degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She completed a three-year Family Medicine Residency at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona where she served as Chief Resident. She is an Associate Faculty member at Arizona State University, teaching Mindful Eating.
She is Past Chair of the American Academy of Family Physician’s Americans in Motion-Healthy Intervention (AAFP AIM-HI) wellness campaign Advisory Panel and Past Chair of the AAFP Subcommittee on Women. She served on the AAFP Commission on the Health of the Public and Science and is Past-President of the Arizona Academy of Family Physicians. Michelle is also Past-President of the National Speakers Association Arizona. She has earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association.