addiction

Exercise & Quarantine

April 20, 2020 Ali Silver

I generally don’t experience “FOMO” – fear of missing out, to the uninitiated. In fact, I have the total opposite – nothing brings me more …

Sugar as an addiction?

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019 Ali Silver

If you feel out of control around food and fearful of having a certain foods in the house because you can’t stop at one, you …

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It is so hard to ask for help and it is estimated

It is so hard to ask for help and it is estimated that 10-12% of people suffering from issues with addiction never seek help. This can be due to shame, costs of treatment, time limitations, plus the current COVID-19 limitations.
This is why we at The Bridge have developed our program for online. Support, accountability and community are vital in recovery. We really believe anyone can recover, and want to be able to provide services to those who need it #rehab #recovery #addiction ...

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Body image concerns during lockdown Eating disord

Body image concerns during lockdown
Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, and now living in lockdown, it can be the perfect setting for new and old habits to surface.
Many folks are reporting feeling anxious about body changes during lockdown, which can cause a surge in behaviours like body-checking, comparing to others on social media, looking through old photos etc.
There’s a lot of talk about how to maintain or lose weight during or after lockdown, which can be triggering for those in, and out, of recovery.
If you need support around food or body image behaviours, please contact me here on via email ali@alisilver.co.uk #eatingdisorderrecovery #bodyimagecoach #lockdown ...

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New year, new you...? Saying no to diets and restr

New year, new you...? Saying no to diets and restrictive eating does not mean giving up on health - in fact, it means the complete opposite. Make this the year you heal your relationship with food and your body. Please swipe across to see this amazing collage made by a client @thebridgemarbella over the Christmas period, expressing her ‘before’ and ‘after’ whilst being in treatment #newyear #haes #recovery ...

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Meet Bear 🐶#shibainupuppy #shibainu #puppiesofi

Meet Bear 🐶#shibainupuppy #shibainu #puppiesofinstagram #marbella #spain #expatsinspain #health #haes #wellness #recovery #mentalhealth ...

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Eating Disorder Recovery in Quarantine // This is

Eating Disorder Recovery in Quarantine //
This is an enforced lockdown, but for many of us – our heads are already a prison.
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and they flourish on shame and secrecy.
Quarantine and self-isolation are the optimum environment for both.
Even those of us who are quietly confident in our recovery can be triggered – being told to stay home for 2+ weeks is like receiving a get out jail free pass for all our most self-destructive behaviours to run rampant. So how can we contain and maintain our recovery during quarantine? Full blog post; click the link in bio 👉🏻👉🏻 #eatingdisorderrecovery #secondarycare #nutritionaltherapist ...

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MEN SUPPORTING WOMEN || A real pinch me moment - G

MEN SUPPORTING WOMEN || A real pinch me moment - George is a personal trainer and was on a Skype session with a client in London. From downstairs I can father that the conversation turned somewhat diet-y, and I can hear him saying how stigmatised women’s bodies are, how so much of what our amazing body’s do are not celebrated enough, and how unfair that is. This makes me so happy, and whilst it’s true he’s not the only man to speak and think like this, it is so refreshing every time I hear folks speaking about how women are viewed and expected to act.
I am blown away by this man always ❤️#keepyourlovelockdown #quarantine #mylobster ...

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EXERCISE & QUARANTINE || Part of my story involves

EXERCISE & QUARANTINE || Part of my story involves over-exercising, or using exercise as a coping mechanism in excess. Others who have experienced this or are in recovery may be able to identify - as soon as we're in a stressful situation, or one which makes us feel particularly vulnerable, we fall back on our go-to coping strategies - and yes, the negative ones seem a lot more appealing sometimes.
When lockdown happened I definitely experienced this. I felt alone, worried about the future and like the perfectionist I am, I wanted to do Quarantine RIGHT.
What a great opportunity! I'll write! I'll clean the Villa! I'll exercise! I'll be the best mum to my dog! 🦊🦊🙈 For the full post - click on the link in my bio 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻#eatingdisorderrecovery #quarantinediaries #overexercising ...

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ROUTINE // During the first week of quarantine in

ROUTINE // During the first week of quarantine in Spain, I found it so helpful to stick to a routine so I was looking after my physical and mental health. This is included calling friends and family, eating nourishing and tasty meals and moving my body in a fun joyful way. @georgerosetri and I developed #LittleGym to help folks maintain their movement habits but keeping it simple - complementary workouts so your body is balanced and you don’t need to stress! We are working hard to get a ‘shop’ page but in the meantime, PM, DM or email us for enquiries and to download your 2 week programme!! #quarantine #online #intuitivemovement ...

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We’ve been busy little bees and have created a p

We’ve been busy little bees and have created a programme of workouts to download. This is a period of uncertainty and so there’s no obligation to continue, but we’ll be releasing new programmes each two weeks.
This is body weight only so no equipment necessary!
We like variation, so there’s HIIT, strength, conditioning, mobility and a running drill - something for all moods!
In your pack you will receive exercise how-to’s and an explanation of why you’re doing that exercise.
Let’s stay fit, stay home - and stay sane!! @georgerosetri #littlegym #onlinecoaching #onlinetraining ...

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2020 looks brighter with you by my side ❤️ @ge

2020 looks brighter with you by my side ❤️ @georgerosetri #herestous #bridetobe #happynewyear @thebridgemarbella ...

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A big day ahead - delivering eating disorder awar

A big day ahead - delivering
eating disorder awareness and body image workshops to the students, teachers and parents at Sotogrande International school. Wish me luck! #publicspeaking #schoolworkshops #marbella ...

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THE BRIDGE || I can finally announce that the webs

THE BRIDGE || I can finally announce that the website to our project, The Bridge, is now LIVE!
A luxury residence providing professional services to women; The Bridge is our new concept in secondary care for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.
This has been our family’s’ dream for years, and since moving to Spain we have finally made it a reality.
Thank you to everyone who has been involved and those who have kept us sane along the way!
Please show your support and share this with your friends and family and check out our beautiful new website ✨✨link in the bio
#secondarytreatment #rehabilitation #therapy #recovery #womenhelpingwomen #marbella #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #cleanandsober #holistic #wellness #treatmentcentre #eatingdisorderrecovery #disorderedeating #bodyimage #nutrition #nondietapproach #haes #abridgetonormalliving ...

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SPRING VEG & CHICKEN ONE POT || Who doesn’t love

SPRING VEG & CHICKEN ONE POT || Who doesn’t love a one pot meal? Chuck it all together and minimal washing up, plus it tastes delicious 😋 Make the most of the spring veg in your area (in Spain, the asparagus is so fat and juicy 😍) Link in the bio ✨#onepotmeals #fussfreecooking #mealsinahurry ...

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I find self promotion really hard, because #impost

I find self promotion really hard, because #impostorsyndromeisreal BUT I had such an amazing testimonial from a client recently which I had to share:
“For many years I had built up an very unhealthy relationship with food. Ever since I was on a strict diet during my bikini fitness competition, I hadn’t been able to eat like other normal people. I either starved myself, binge ate or made myself sick. I couldn’t enjoy my food. After having sessions with Ali for about 1,5 month I now have overcome my fear for specific foods, I have learned to enjoy my food and taste it fully, and not feeling guilty after. I have learned to feed my body with what it needs. My eating is stable and healthy and enjoyable for the first time in 9 years! It brings so much happiness to my life, not to be in a foodprison full of limitations, guilt, shame and pain. I can highly recommend sessions with Ali, she knows what she is doing and she has helped me change my life!” 🌸🌸🌸 So if you’re in ANY doubt about it you’re able to change your behaviour and feelings around food, it IS possible; sometimes we just need a little guidance. If you want to work 1-2-1 with me, message or email ali@alisilver.co.uk #bodyneutrality #testimonial #healthisnotasize ...

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PSA: Losing weight does not equal instant positive

PSA: Losing weight does not equal instant positive body image.
A common misconception is that the key to improving your body image lies in changing how your body looks.
Body image is our PERCEPTION of what we look like. It is how we see, think, feel about our bodies and our behaviour as a result of these things. Dieting and exercising may cause your body to change (mostly in the short term...) but these changes can exacerbate the problem of poor body image. We may received positive comments about how we look now vs then - which only reinforces that physical appearance is the most important thing.
Weight loss as a product of dieting is often temporary, so when our body fights back; we feel angry with our bodies for letting us down. This perpetuates than negative thinking to our bodies.
Negative body image plays into everything - the food choices we make, our self esteem, hobbies, career, relationships and can be a risk factor for developing an eating disorder.
When your body image is positive, you are able to accept, appreciate, and respect your body. This doesn’t mean to say you’ll think your body is perfect and flawless, but you’ll be able to acknowledge any insecurities for what they are and believe that your body is perfect for you.
Having a positive body image means freedom; not needing to put all your attention in critiquing your appearance and focusing on all other aspects of your life.
This is not easy by any means; and teaching out for help does not make you weak.
For anyone who is concerned about their body image or food, get in touch with me ali@alisilver.co.uk
#allbodiesaregoodbodies #bodyneutrality #mentalhealthawareness ...

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Mental Health Awareness Week || Back in the UK for

Mental Health Awareness Week || Back in the UK for my final talk for this school term and it feels very appropriate and right that it coincides with MH awareness week and this years theme of Body Image. It blows me away the feedback I receive from both teachers & students, and reminds me why I do this work when the nerves beforehand are enough to make me want to run out the room!
Body image can seem like a fluffy and self-indulgent topic, and people may be reluctant to talk about it for fear of looking vain and it being misinterpreted as fishing for compliments.
Among adults in UK 34% said they have felt anxious and 35% said they have felt depressed in relation to their body image. The survey of teenagers found 35% “often” or “always” worried about their body image.
These results are very concerning. As well as the distress poor body image can cause, it can put people at higher risk for more serious mental health conditions, including eating disorders.

It’s time to start the conversation, with your friends, children and yourself about your relationship to food and your body ❤️#mentalhealthawareness #publicspeaker #bodyneutrality ...

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If you feel out of control around food and fearful

If you feel out of control around food and fearful of having a certain foods in the house because you can’t stop at one, you are not alone.
Many clients come to me as self proclaimed food or sugar addicts, saying they’re obsessed with crisps/ice cream, they fear having just one bite as they know it will end up being much more, and generally feeling powerless around food.
Calling yourself an addict may feel empowering but this label could be causing more harm to our relationship with food and our bodies.
Does this resonate with you? Click the link in my bio to read the full shebang ✨#foodfreedom #sugaraddiction #isbutteracarb ...

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HOW DIETING CAN AFFECT YOUR TEETH || I now officia

HOW DIETING CAN AFFECT YOUR TEETH || I now officially have a space to hold workshops and work with clients one to one, at the very chic and popular #sonrisadentalclinic @belindapamos in #Mijas 😁 in celebration of this I have a new post up about dieting and it’s effects on our teeth 🦷🦷
You know the drill, restriction or deprivation of foods can cause you to crave it uncontrollably, thus causing you to lose your cool when confronted with it and eat past the point of comfortable fullness. One way in which a binge is characterised is the speed at which the food is eaten. When we eat too quickly, food doesn’t have a chance to breakdown properly before continuing on its journey. This doesn’t give our mouth time to produce saliva, which aids in the breakdown of what we’re eating – leaving our teeth more prone to damage.
To read the full post, click the link in my bio 💫#teethhealth #holisticapproach ...

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Why is body image so important to talk about?|| I

Why is body image so important to talk about?|| I FEEL SOOOO ‘insert body bashing comment here’

We know there is no cause to an eating disorder. There are only things which make you vulnerable, so many of which are biological and we can’t change, but that doesn’t make anything set in stone.
One big factor in an eating disorder development is our relationship with our body: having positive body image can protect a vulnerable person for developing disordered eating.
Think about it, you wake up and all the sticky, uncomfortable emotions - which we all have - you aren’t able to verbally express. So they bounce back on something that IS tangible - your appearance.
You don’t know this. You think that your body is causing you this distress. Well, there’s a solution to that, right? Everywhere you look there’s a new set of rules that you can follow to change your body and make you happy.
It works, until it doesn’t. Your body fails you, perpetuating your dislike and disrespect to it. Sound familiar?
At best, negative body image will lessen your confidence. You might not put your hand up in class. You might think twice about applying for a job. You make decisions based on how to change your body, rather than from a place of taking care of your body.
At worst, this can spiral into disordered eating and a potential eating disorder.
Whilst you can’t change your biology, you can improve your risk factors like stress management, media exposure and body image.
Do you or someone you know struggle with food rules and poor body image? Email me ali@alisilver.co.uk ✨✨#eatingdisorderrecovery #mentalhealth #bodyneutrality ...

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DIETARY EVANGELISM || Negative Food chat. It’s e

DIETARY EVANGELISM || Negative Food chat. It’s everywhere, and it’s insidious.
Because actually, I quite like a bit of food chat myself, restaurants to try, new recipes and discussion about foods tried in different places.
But no, this food chat I’m talking about is a bit of not so humble bragging.
Introducing yourself to someone and then telling them what you do and don’t eat.
How eating meat is repulsive. Why you should cut out sugar like they did.

Let’s ask ourselves why do we do this?

Since when do we define ourselves by what we put in our mouth?
Essentially, we’re saying that because we eat this certain way, we are healthier, purer and ultimately going to a more exclusive club in heaven than you.
In my opinion this goes beyond the need for weight loss and is wrapped in the quest for Ultimate Health.
Food is now the new religion, it’s a way of grouping and defining yourself.

Full blog post link in my bio 🙋🏻‍♀️ Photo credit to @leoandphoto ❤️ #mydietisbetterthanyours #foodpolice #weightinclusive ...

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