Parallel Wellness
Suite 900 - 2025 Willingdon Ave. SOLO District V5C 0J3 Burnaby, BC, Canada

Have you wondered about what tools exist to support eating disorder recovery at home? This week I'm kicking off my reviews of different tools, including my own mindful eating log! Check out the video on my YoutTube channel (link in bio) and remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss this series!

Feeling guilty about eating is sadly a common experience. But when do you know if your overeating might be something more serious, like binge eating disorder? Today I’m going to break down the differences between overeating and binge eating - to provide clarity, remove the stigma of this challenging topic, and hopefully help you feel less alone in your experience. https://youtu.be/ohQaSPTeJwo

STUDY OF WEIGHT RESTORATION AND EATING DISORDER RECOVERY VIA MEAL SUPPORT WITH TEENS Adolescent Nutritional Rehabilitation During Eating Disorder Recovery: Joint Projects Between Adolescents and their Caregiver(s) ARE YOU THE CAREGIVER OF A TEEN BETWEEN 12 AND 19 YEARS OLD?... ARE YOU PROVIDING MEAL SUPPORT AS PART OF EATING DISORDER RECOVERY TO A TEEN? AND, HAS YOUR TEEN BEEN RECEIVING COUNSELLING OR TREATMENT FOR AN EATING DISORDER? We are interested in learning more about the process of recovery for teens, with the support of their caregivers. In this research study, caregivers (e.g. parents, grandparents, etc.) of teens will have the opportunity to share their experiences throughout the eating disorder recovery and meal support, with the support of a researcher. The total participation time is approximately 2-3 hours over two meetings. The first meeting will last approximately 1.5 2 hours. You will also attend a second meeting that will last approximately 30 minutes 1 hour. All interviews will be held over Zoom. A monetary honorarium of $20 per participant for each meeting will be provided. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Richard Young STUDENT RESEARCHER: Meredith MacKenzie, MA, PhD Candidate IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY, PLEASE CALL US AT 604-612-9277 OR EMAIL US AT [email protected] AND LEAVE YOUR NAME A TELEPHONE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED. SOMEONE FROM THE RESEARCH TEAM WILL CONTACT YOU. #eatingdisorderrecovery #MealSupport National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

We're living in a time when we know more about nutrition, exercise and wellness than ever before. We have access to vitamins, cleanses and specialty food items that allow us to optimize our health. But is there such a thing as being too healthy? And when does it cross over into a clinical eating disorder? In this week's video I'm providing real-life examples of orthorexia nervosa, so you can assess your own thoughts and behaviours. Watch this week's video below, and be sur...e to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to show some love! https://youtu.be/uKvY662CXpU

Is it possible that your meal planning, exercise habits and strict approach to health could be an eating disorder? Is there a difference between being hyper-focused on health and wellness and an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa? This week on the channel I'm exploring the similarities and differences between orthorexia and anorexia. I'm sharing my perspective on the future of orthorexia and where it fits among other eating disorders. Join me!! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIB...E to show your support for my little channel, and let me know what you'd to learn about next in the COMMENTS! https://youtu.be/kllEswRo9yY

Is it possible to be TOO healthy?? Orthorexia is a somewhat unknown eating disorder that revolves around a super-focus on health and healthy eating. Could the criteria for this eating disorder describe what you're experiencing? Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel!!

ASKING FOR HELP! Feel like you’re struggling with the never-ending cycle of calorie counting, restricting and exercise, followed by derailing your progress with binge eating? Do you feel trapped, hopeless and lonely through it all? I’m looking to interview women struggling with disordered eating and binge eating (purely for my own research) to help me develop a new service for Parallel Wellness that I’m working on. It would mean the world to me if we could hop on ...a quick call and I could ask you a few questions. OR if you know of someone who fits this description, please introduce me through my DMs. Comment below and I’ll shoot you a DM to set up the call! Book in for a call here: https://calendly.com/parallelwellness/meredith-mackenzie

BINGE EATING | Over the past few weeks, I've been working on openly sharing information on binge eating. Binge eating disorder is often associated with shame and secrecy. Add to this that there is a great deal of stigma around weight-related health issues that can result from binge eating. This week, I'm taking another step to break this stigma. Check out my video on Youtube (link in bio), where I'm sharing about the common, but not frequently talked about effects of binge ...eating disorder! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a video! https://youtu.be/t9aNv5yheCE

Eating disorders are already secretive disorders... laxative misuse is even less recognized or talked about. However, at least 25% of people with an eating disorder has abused laxatives in the last month. My worry is that because we don't talk about laxative misuse, we also don't know all the dangers. In this week's video, I'm getting real about the possible negative effects of misusing laxatives. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more!... https://youtu.be/bZQSSanupWw

? Eating disorders are both mental health AND medical disorders. Treating one without the other is impossible. So often clients are captivated by the mental health aspects of their eating disorder, that the medical concerns go overlooked. It's important to be informed of the potential risks, and bring any concerns to your medical professional. In today's video, I'm covering the risks of eating disorders, across our body's... physical symptoms. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more! #eatingdisorderrecovery

@brennadoodles | Got your mask? Wow, have we gone through a lot in these past months! As our provinces open-up and our school-age children prepare to return to the classroom, universal mask wearing seems to be a trend of the future. Due to the limits to physically distancing in our offices, all in-person Parallel Wellness clients and staff are required to wear a mask for sessions. Is it comfortable? Not really. Is it safer? Definitely. Wearing a mask is one of the simplest ways we know at this time to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and show those you're in close proximity to, that you care.

#NASTYWOMAN | Treating women with respect and equality is not a political statement. When we seek power over others by resorting to derogatory name-calling, we shut down communication and healthy debate. Taking this moment to connect with my fellow fierce, brave, smart, dynamic, funny, empathic, driven, courageous NASTY WOMEN.

If you're like the majority of people who've relied on dieting and meal plans to determine what you'll eat and when you'll eat it, recognizing your hunger and satiety cues may be challenging. In this week's video, I provide my 10 Intuitive Eating tips to help you bring these principles into you everyday life. Starting with this hunger scale!! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more!

@apeaceofwerk | We've been conditioned to believe that in order to be accepted, we must present ourselves perfectly to the world. We must keep our personal struggles to ourselves and smile through the difficult moments of life. Let me tell you a not so secret, secret... we all struggle, we all experience ups and downs in our lives, and it's okay to not be okay. The remarkable thing is, we've been told a lie. People don't tend to reject us when we show our vulnerabilities, the actually move in closer. When we show ourselves as truly human, people can relate to us and may even want to share their own inner difficulties.

Image via Ijeoma Oluo (@ijeomaoluo on Twitter). Here's to a society where people don't feel like they have to talk about their diet. [Image description: Screens...hot of a tweet by @ljeomaOluo. The text reads - I dont want to hear about your diet. I dont want to hear about your weight loss. Doesn't mean you cant talk about it, but I hope you will consider how you discuss a topic so ingrained with misogyny, classism, racism and fatphobia. The body size you are excited to leave behind is also the body someone else is living in and trying against the chorus of our entire culture to love themselves in today. Please remember that.] See more

Many of us can identify with fighting against our bodies. Feeling frustrated that it's not the shape or size we want it to be. Feeling like we've been betrayed by our physiology or genes. So we punish ourselves and our bodies. Restrict our diets and cut out foods. Ultimately, with these actions we chip away at our self-worth and tell ourselves that we're not good enough. This body is NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Today, I invite you to apologize to y...our body and begin a new relationship with your body. One that's based in love, compassion, and caring actions. Join me on my youtube channel, to connect and learn more about repairing your relationship with your body. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out! Link in my bio or search Meredith MacKenzie - Parallel Wellness. See more

Let me paint a picture You've decided you're absolutely finished with the rollercoaster of dieting, restrictive eating and binge eating. You've made all the promises to yourself, and then somehow the cycle starts again without much warning. The culprit? The FOOD POLICE!! Over years of dieting and living in a society that values restrictive eating and a lean, muscular body type, many of us have internalized messages of what foods are GOOD and BAD for us. We each have an... internal food police officer that threatens to give us a ticket if we step out of line. In order to overcome disordered eating we must address the food police and make changes internally. It all starts with this week's video! Click the link to WATCH NOW! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel! https://youtu.be/n0MoQFC-3X8

@morganharpernichols | Big shoutout to all the special people that make someone's day just a little brighter. You're so valuable and truly make a difference in this world!

But what if I lose all control? This is THE most common question my clients come to me with as they consider recovery from eating disorders and chronic dieting and restrictive eating. And when we're scared of something, we're unlikely to proceed. This has been one of the biggest challenges in my practice. Recovery requires change, but when it's too intimidating change is slow and hesitant. And I HEAR YOU!! In today's video, I share my response to clients who fear weight gai...n and losing control in eating disorder recovery. Recovery is possible, it will be scary, AND you'll make it out the otherside without losing control! Check the link in my bio! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to my channel for more videos like this! https://youtu.be/rtrZOFU7Lc8

@thebodylovesociety | If you've dieted you probably recognize the list of weight-loss "tips" on the left. But achieving food freedom and overcoming chronic dieting requires us to redefine health and wellness. This new definition provides us with freedom from second guessing our every food or exercise decision, and allows us to fully enjoy the moment. What would you give to be healthy AND live with freedom from dieting, calorie counting, restrictive eating, and strict exercise regimes? Join me over on my YouTube Channel (link in the bio) and follow my series on Intuitive Eating! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out!

What the heck is Intuitive Eating? Intuitive Eating was developed by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, and offers principles to step away from dieting and create a better relationship with food and your body. If you find that as exciting as I do, you won't want to miss this week's Youtube video (link in the bio)! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to support my humble channel! I'm loving sharing these weekly videos and connecting with followers there! https://youtu.be/2SL2RLUBFkI

@lindsaybraman| Anyone who's participated in therapy knows that the journey can be a series of ups and downs. While we wish that starting therapy will mean the end of our pain, breakthroughs can open us up to the hurts below the surface. Let me reassure you, that you won't feel pain and discomfort you feel at the beginning throughout. IT GETS BETTER. AND you develop skills and understanding to manage these feelings. Gradually, overtime, you'll feel the hurt subside as you learn more about yourself.

If you experience binge eating, you don't have to struggle alone. I'm creating a series of resources and videos on my YouTube channel to support binge eating recovery and freedom from food and compensatory behaviours. Last week we dug into the science of the binge eating cycle, and this week we jump into the key strategies for overcoming binge eating disorder. Healthy, sustainable recovery is possible. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel to show your support!!

@laurejaneillustrations || Are you a giver? Many of us feel valued and confident in our roles as the ones who give, comfort, and care for others in our lives. However, when the energy we put out into the world impacts the energy we have left to care for ourselves, there is an imbalance. When we give out our energy freely, we can become exhausted and restful. It feels like we readily meet others' needs, but our own go unmet. Ultimately, we cannot pour from ...an empty cup, and this impacts our ability to give in anyway. So how do we change this? First, start with asking yourself what YOU need. Meet your needs to start. Recognize your tendency to tell yourself that your needs are not important, and make yourself a priority (easier said than done, I know!). Next, practice setting boundaries. "Yes" is not the only option to have people feel that you care for them. Saying "no" can be delivered kindly - "I'd really like to help you with that, and now is not a good time for me. Can we try something next week?" Try this out and let me know how it goes! Comment below if you've been working on making yourself a priority lately! See more

Open your mind, open your heart Recently, our world has pushed us to be more reflective of our values and beliefs. Changing our perspectives and realizing that we may be wrong isnt comfortable, but its necessary for change. Openness wont completely disarm prejudice, but its where we need to start. #loveislove #blm #pride

THE BINGE EATING CYCLE | Are you struggling with binge eating, but trapped in a never ending cycle? You binge eat and then make every promise to yourself that it won't happen again... and then it does. It's an emotional roller coaster, and it feels like you can't get off, but you can! By watching this week's vide, you'll understand the binge eating cycle and why you continue to binge despite your best efforts. Understanding the binge eating cycle is the first step in stopping your binge eating. Video link in the comments! Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more!

Binge Eating Disorder | If you struggle with Binge Eating Disorder, I see you. People who struggle with binge eating and Binge Eating Disorder are often incredibly secretive about the challenges they experience. This disorder is lonely, and not often validated outside of the eating disorder treatment community. These struggles are real, intense and filled with shame and guilt. In today's video on our Youtube channel, I share warning signs of Binge Eating Disorder that you s...hould look out for. If you're curious if your overeating habit might meet clinical criteria for an eating disorder, or are concerned about a loved one, check this video out. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel, where I'll continue to share eating disorder and binge eating information every Wednesday. https://youtu.be/meY7ZTqza1c

LET'S TALK BOUNDARIES | Boundaries are our way of communicating our values and needs to others. In life, there are people who earn our trust and access to our inner circle of vulnerability. Others, do not deserve the same access. If we keep our walls too high, we miss out on the benefits of intimate relationships. Life feels lonely and unsafe. High walls prevent others from getting to know us, and miss out on potentially great friendships and romantic rela...tionships. We also miss our opportunity to develop a sense of what is right for us and what is not. Rather than seeing green, yellow and red flags in relationship, high walls lead us to perceive everything as a red flag. On the other hand, boundaries protect us from those that might hurt us. When we don't have boundaries we left everything and everyone in. We can easily be hurt and what is important to us can be compromised. Boundaries allow us to censor the green, yellow and red flags and filter out what isn't right for us. What is something you would like to learn about your boundaries? See more

@blessthemessy || Today we celebrate the men have been there for us through it all. The ones who taught us, supported us, argued with us and loved us. Dads come all shapes and sizes, and some we know are aching to be dads and are not there yet. Happy Fathers Day!! .................................................................. Today Im remembering quality time spent with my step-dad, and excitedly waiting for provincial restrictions to be lifted so we can be reunited. Times like these make you all the more aware of how important family and time together can be. Share one of your favourite memories with your dad below!

Happy Father's Day to all amazing dads out there!

What is the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating? The truth is, eating concerns exist on a continuum. Talking about eating, exercise and weight/shape can be a touchy subject. Our society creates all kinds of pressure for men and women to fit into specific body ideals. We're celebrated when we choose to chase these ideals. Unfortunately, the reality is, that many of the ways we attempt to manage our weight and shape can shift into the disordered eating... category. Check out this week's YouTube video where I share the differences between an eating disorder and disordered eating. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to support our channel! https://youtu.be/mqPwxjcxkkQ

Anyone else feeling like they're not equipped to play this new version of the Game of Life? Collectively, we've all been through rapid changes in the past few months, with added recognition that we need to make additional changes to our belief systems and social actions. Hands up if you don't know how to proceed! If you've never played chess before, it takes some time to learn the rules. When you lose do you give up and never play again, or do you learn from other players and try again? I encourage you to allow yourself to mess up - lose a few rounds. Demonstrate your willingness and openness to learn and try again. It's uncomfortable, but you will get the hang of it.

The rainy days can be difficult to tolerate, yet they're so necessary for growth. When you reflect on the flowers in your life, what rain has helped them to grow?

Starting something new is never easy. You might question how you'll manage the change, or if you'll be disappointed. Don't let your worries about what could potentially go wrong, prevent you from taking that first step. Begin anywhere - and let our therapy team support you! Our therapists are Parallel Wellness are intimately familiar with the uncertainty, stress and self-questioning we all experience when we make a big life change. We understand, because we...'ve been there too. The good news, big changes are made easier with support and understanding. Book a session with one of our therapist today. Let this appointment be your first step towards the life you want to create for yourself! ............................................................................................. www.parallelwellness.janeapp.com 778-990-5491 [email protected] See more

When it comes to raising happy kids, we may be doing it all wrong.

Muting ourselves on social media isn't enough. A black square posted isn't enough. This week I reflected on the racial disparities within the mental health field, from psychologist training to accessibility to ethnic diversity in therapist for BIPOC. I invite you to watch this video on our YouTube channel. Let's keep this conversation going. https://youtu.be/sfVWpuh5WX0

As counsellors, in Canada, we hold an immense amount of power and privilege. We can use this awareness to empower ourselves, and our communities, to create space, listen, serve and protect the welfare of Black people just as we would for anyone else. https://bit.ly/2MG0nyF #BLM