We experience thousands of thoughts a day, many of which are automatic and can escape our notice. Nevertheless, the way we think in various situations can have a great impact on our decision making and behaviours. In this session, we revisit the concept of cognitive restructuring to help address the internal barrier of permission thoughts. These thoughts tend to be in the moment, persuasive, and often misleading. Throughout the session you will be given an opportunity to apply the tool of cognitive restructuring to common situations that can elicit permission thoughts, so you can better navigate this type of thinking going forward.

This session is facilitated by internist, Dr. Sylvie Galindo. Obesity is a progressive, relapsing, chronic, medical disease that requires ongoing evaluation and treatment like any other chronic disease. In this group, we will discuss other interventions for obesity management beyond long-term lifestyle changes (diet, physical activity, and mental wellness). The physician will review medical interventions (pharmacotherapy/medications and bariatric surgery) and when they might be necessary for a patient to consider and possibly undergo. Medical and surgical interventions do not take the place of lifestyle intervention, but they do provide a patient with additional support for the management of their obesity. Even if you do not wish to consider medication or surgery for weight loss, it is important that you are fully aware of the most up to date options to assist with the management of serious weight problems. This group is mandatory for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40, or BMI over 35 with at least one obesity-related health condition, and you will receive an e-mail if you have not yet been told about these interventions.