November 13, 2024 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Ask the Therapist

Irene Rubaum-Keller

Irene Rubaum-Keller is a licensed psychotherapist who has practiced on
the Westside for over 20 years. She specializes in treating people with
eating/weight/body image issues as well as motherless daughters. In
addition to her private practice, Irene has been on staff at UCLA’s
Risk Factor Obesity clinic for the past 15 years where she works with
some of the most esteemed leaders in the field of obesity research and
treatment. She has published numerous articles in professional journals
and for the popular media and currently writes a weekly weight loss
blog for The Huffington Post. Her television appearances as an expert
guest include:
World News Tonight, Penn and Teller’s Showtime Original
Series,
9 on the Town, UPN, KTLA and NBC news.

Dear Irene,
I find myself getting more and more annoyed with the traffic.  It takes forever to get from one side of the 405 to the other.  I also constantly notice people breaking the traffic laws and wonder where the cops are.
 
The newest thing that is making me crazy is how people will not pull up behind the car in front of them anymore.  When there is a stop light these bozos are leaving car lengths in front of them.  Why???? Why???
 
These little annoyances build up and I find myself being short with people when I arrive at my destination.  What can I do?
 
Mr. Road Rage
 
Dear Mr. Road Rage,
This is a good place to use the “two week rule†.  What is that you ask?  The two week rule was taught to me by a very wise man and it goes like this:  If something is going to piss me off in two weeks, then I’ll let it piss me off now.  If in two weeks, I will barely even remember it, then I refuse to let it bother me now.
 
When applied to little traffic annoyances they aren’t worth letting them piss you off now.  So how can you deal with it when people behave badly in traffic?  I choose to take the Margaret Mead approach.  Remember her?  She was a famous anthropologist who went into cultures, like the Pygmies in Africa, and studied them.  She didn’t engage, she observed.  When we put our cars on we behave in ways we never would if we were walking down the street or standing in line.  I picture my pith helmet, imagine my steno pad and observe the bizarre human behavior of people in their cars.  Then I imagine them doing what they just did on foot.  It makes me laugh and puts some distance between me and the situation.

Enjoy the Ride.

Dear Irene,
I am an emotional eater.  I eat when I’m upset, happy, frustrated, etc…  I am also 100 lbs. overweight and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to lose weight.  Help!!
 
Dumpy

Dear Dumpy,
You are better off than you might think.  First of all, when I ask most people who come to me for emotional eating and/or weight loss help, why they are overweight, the most common answer is, “I don’t know.†  What this means is, “I am not paying attention to what I eat, how much, how many calories and if I exercise or not.†  The next most common answer is, “It must be genetic because I don’t eat that much and I weigh this much.â€
 
So the fact that you are already aware that you are an emotional eater and exactly how overweight you are means you are paying attention.  That is good.  I suggest you pay even more attention by keeping a log of everything you put into your mouth that has calories.  Write down the food, how much and how many calories.  This can be a big wake up call.  You will learn how many calories a day you are taking in and where those calories are coming from.
 
The next step is to identify what it is you really need if you are turning to food when you are not hungry.  If you can identify the need, you are better able to fill it.  For example, if you realize you are not hungry but want to eat because you are lonely, then maybe you could call a friend or go to a Starbucks and be around people instead of eat.
 
If you are unable to do it alone I highly recommend getting some help.  You need new coping skills and therapy is an excellent place to learn them.
 
Take Care and Good Luck.

Have a question for The Therapist? Send it to Letters to the Editor via www.ccnews.wpengine.com/contact.html and place “Ask the Therapist†in the comments section.

in News
Related Posts

Metro’s New Bus Lane Camera Enforcement Aims to Speed Up Commutes for LA Riders

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Pilot Program Begins With 60-Day Warning Period to Clear Bus Lanes The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in...

Legendary Actor Tony Todd, Known for Iconic Horror Roles, Dies at the Age of 69

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Star of Candyman and Final Destination Remembered by Fans and Peers Iconic actor and Marina del Rey resident Tony Todd...

LAUSD Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault on a Minor, Police Believe There May Be Other Victims

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on November 8 that a middle school teacher, Colleen Jo Matarico, is...

Baby2Baby Gala Raises Record $17 Million to Support Families in Need

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Event Honors Charlize Theron at the Pacific Design Center The Baby2Baby nonprofit organization held its annual gala on Saturday, Nov....

Beverly Hills High Limits Student Gatherings After Pro-Trump Rally Disrupts Campus

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Principal Cites Safety Concerns Following Post-Election Demonstration Beverly Hills High School has put limits on student gatherings after a pro-Trump...

Racist Text Messages Target Students in Santa Monica, West LA, Raising Alarm Among Schools, Families

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Outrage Spreads as Disturbing, Racially Charged Messages Reach Students and Others By Dolores Quintana Schools on the Westside of Los...

Governor Newsom Convenes Special Session to Protect California Rights Against Future Federal Policies

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Special Session Called To Defend Civil Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Climate Initiatives Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special session of...

Elon Musk and Grimes House Hunt in Bel-Air for Property Amid Reports of “Family Compound”

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Billionaire and His Former Partner Are Reportedly Searching for a Los Angeles Mansion Billionaire Elon Musk and his former partner,...

Megacity Review: Genaro Trejo’s Global Platform for Urban Arts and Literature Launches in Los Angeles’ Westside

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Santa Monica, CA – A new voice has arrived on the Los Angeles literary scene with the launch of Megacity...

Chinese Chemical Company and Executives Indicted for Allegedly Fueling Fentanyl Crisis in Los Angeles

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

U.S. DOJ Charges Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech and Executives With 13 Counts  A federal grand jury has indicted Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech...

Starbucks Kicks Off the Holidays with Festive Cups, New Drinks, and a Special Surprise

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Returning Classics, Cran-Merry Refreshers, and Expanded Pastry Selections on Thursday Starbucks is ringing in the holiday season with the return...

Lei’d Cookies in Culver City Offers Sweet In-Store Discount For a Challenging Week

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Handcrafted Flavors, Community Spirit: Enjoy Lei’d Cookies’ Limited-Time Offer Lei’d Cookies, a popular dessert spot in Culver City’s Hayden Tract...

Thanksgiving 2024: The Best Places to Order Your Holiday Pies in Los Angeles

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Get Ready for Your Thanksgiving Dinner With the Best Desserts November is the official start of the holiday season and...

L.A. County Election Results: Preliminary Counts as of 4:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Westside Residents Weigh on Representatives, Ballot Measures, Judges and More As of 1:05 a.m., voters in Los Angeles County weighed...

Police Seek Suspect in Vandalism of Jewish-Owned Businesses in L.A.’s Pico-Robertson Neighborhood

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Authorities Investigate Series of Early Morning Attacks as Hate Crime Police are actively searching for a suspect accused of vandalizing...