Due to circumstances beyond St. Mary’s control, the winter session of “Eating Competence: How to Eat and Feel Good About It” has been postponed. The new start date for the six-week virtual course is Tuesday, Feb. 4.

The course is especially designed for those who struggle with their relationship with food. Taught by registered dietitian Kathryn Filipiak, it is based on the How to Eat Method, a clinically validated approach to eating that focuses on learning how to feed yourself consistently with meals you enjoy, reduce food noise, and identify hunger and fullness signals. It teaches participants how to enjoy food while also improving health outcomes such as physical activity, sleep, and lab results.

Participants will learn how early childhood and social influences impact how we eat, why dieting can lead to worse health outcomes, and the four characteristics of competent eaters: eating attitudes, food acceptance, internal regulation and contextual skills.

“If you have struggled with dieting in the past and feel food is an uphill battle, this class is for you,” Filipiak says.

Filipiak will lead the 6-week course on Tuesdays from Feb. 4 through March 11 from 12-1 p.m. The course meets virtually, which means participants can join from anywhere with no barriers caused by travel. Class size is limited to ensure individual attention, including a one-on-one consultation with Filipiak as well as two months’ membership to St. Mary’s Wellness Center, which can be continued at just $30 a month thereafter.

For information or to register, go to the class listings at www.stmarys-health.org or email Filipiak at [email protected].