We are back with another recovery story -- this time from Louise, a member of our community (which you can join here, by the way!) Louise explains her story of disordered eating and restriction starting in adolescence, eventually leading her to give up dieting to lean into an anti-diet approach. Like so many others in ED recovery, Louise had to deal with weight gain and body image issues in exchange for food freedom -- but came out with this story to tell. Listen to her inspirational message about sex, attraction, and empowerment in this very cool, real-story episode.

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Sarah’s book, I Can’t Stop Eating, is available on Amazon

This episode was a toughie, not gonna lie.

It's really, really hard to have this discussion without potentially triggering some folks -- and we only know that because at one time, it triggered us, too. But this podcast is valuable because it does explore nuances, including the things less talked about in the anti-diet world.

At the end of the day, the desire for weight loss remains after we stop dieting. And for some people the question of: can I pursue this intentionally without regressing or sacrificing my values and myself? comes up a lot.

This is an individual question with individual answers, and we're having the conversation for people who want to have the conversation. Please note that if you have found peace in the skin you're in, this episode may not be for you. It's for people who feel lost, confused, and stuck and want to explore more angles of weight concerns post-recovery.

We'll touch on:

• safety in the body (of course!)
• attachment to the idea of weight loss
• physiological and psychological factors
• why our appetite changes on vacation (or in other situations where stress is lower)
• the idea of "releasing trauma to release weight"

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Sarah's website

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Sarah’s book, I Can’t Stop Eating, is available on Amazon

In this episode, the hosts really get into how scarcity affects us, especially when it comes to food. They start by breaking down what scarcity truly means—it's not just about running out of something, but feeling like you never have enough of what you need. This feeling can lead to behaviors like hoarding or binge-eating, not just with food, but in many parts of our lives.

They share personal stories and observations from society to show how the fear of not having enough drives us to overcompensate in different ways, like stockpiling items or overindulging when certain foods seem rare or unavailable. They talk about "window of opportunity" eating, when we eat not because we're hungry, but because we're afraid we won't get another chance to enjoy that particular food.

The hosts also delve into how these behaviors often stem from emotional needs rather than physical hunger. They discuss how past traumas or emotional gaps can lead us to act out of scarcity, affecting how we see our current situations, often without even realizing it.

Throughout the episode, they offer strategies to deal with these impulses, like mindfulness and asking yourself why you feel the need to act on scarcity. Understanding these feelings better can help us control them.

The episode ends on a thoughtful note, stressing the importance of self-awareness and kindness in facing scarcity. By recognizing and addressing the emotional roots of our behaviors, we can make more thoughtful choices that lead to healthier and more fulfilling lives. It's a really insightful conversation that helps us see how deep-seated feelings of scarcity can affect us and offers ways to handle them.

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Stefanie's Website

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Join Stef's Body Image Workshop! (click here)

Sarah's website

Sarah's YouTube Channel

Sarah’s book, I Can’t Stop Eating, is available on Amazon

This body image centered episode delves into the distinctions between body positivity and body neutrality, offering a nuanced exploration of how individuals can relate to their bodies beyond conventional narratives of self-love.

The conversation begins by distinguishing body positivity from body neutrality. Originally, body positivity emerged from the fat activist movements of the 1960s, aiming to empower marginalized bodies, especially those of fat, Black women, and aligning with LGBTQ rights. In contrast, body neutrality is presented as a more muted, less emotionally charged approach, appealing to those who may find the ra-ra! enthusiasm of body positivity unreachable.

Stef, who hosts a Body Neutrality for Body Image Workshop, discusses the personal significance of body neutrality as a middle ground where you can acknowledge your actual feelings about your body—whether positive or negative—without allowing those feelings to dictate your self-worth or mood.

This epidosde emphasizes that adopting a body neutral stance is not an instant change but a gradual process of shifting one’s value system and managing emotional responses.

https://www.iamstefaniemichele.com/bodyimageworkshop2024

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Books Mentioned:

• Body Neutral by Jessie Kneeland
• More Than a Body by Lindsay & Lexie Kite
• The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

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Stefanie's Website

Stefanie on Instagram

Stef's Body Image Webinar + Workbook

Sarah's website

Sarah's YouTube Channel

Sarah’s book, I Can’t Stop Eating, is available on Amazon

In this podcast episode, we explore the concept of Gentle Nutrition, explained as combining basic nutritional knowledge with body attunement. This 10th principle of Intuitive Eating is about recognizing how different foods affect one’s body while maintaining a non-restrictive approach to eating.

We also touch on personal experiences with nutritional adjustments post-recovery from eating disorders -- how and when do you think about nutrition when you're learning to allow all foods?? Does anti-diet have a "middle ground" or does it promote choosing "junk food"?

As with every discussion on this podcast, there is nuance.

Eating choices can be balanced with nutritional wisdom, like combining carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fiber for satisfying meals, or choosing warmer foods for comfort. It's leaning into attunement to our needs rather than just "rules".

We also want to mention our upcoming events including Stef's gentle nutrition course designed to support you in exploring these concepts without judgment or rigidity. And, in-person events in England this May!

Links mentioned on the podcast:

• An Evening in Brighton
• Day Retreat in Bournemouth
• Gentle Nutrition Course beginning April 24
• Gusto Box 20% off
• Join the LAD Membership

Life After Diets on Instagram

The LAD Website

Email us @ lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com

Stefanie's Website

Stefanie on Instagram

Stef's Body Image Webinar + Workbook

Sarah's website

Sarah's YouTube Channel

Sarah’s book, I Can’t Stop Eating, is available on Amazon

This conversation discusses the challenges of confronting the aging process, with Sarah sharing a recent moment of seeing photographs of herself and thinking she looked...well, older. This introspection is mirrored by a conversation about Stef's Wednesday Weekly email, which talked about the "emergency" feeling of noticing differences in sagging skin and redistribution of body proportions approaching middle age.

As the conversation unfolds, it touches upon a broader philosophical reflection on aging, not just as a physical process but as an emotional and existential journey.

We contemplate the societal and personal implications of aging, from the fear of invisibility and loss of value in a youth-centric culture to the liberating aspects of growing older, such as gaining freedom.

We talk about the complexity of body image issues, drawing parallels between the struggles with weight and the acceptance of aging.

And don't forget, if you'd like to meet us for an in-person event, we've got two coming up in May 2024. We're teaming up with Marcus Kain of Strong Not Starving for an evening social & talks in Brighton, and a day retreat for nervous system regulation at Bournemouth Beach.

Join the LAD Membership

Life After Diets on Instagram

The LAD Website

Email us @ lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com

Stefanie's Website

Stefanie on Instagram

Stef's Body Image Webinar + Workbook

Sarah's website

Sarah's YouTube Channel

Sarah’s book, I Can’t Stop Eating, is available on Amazon

In this podcast episode, the hosts explore the complex relationship between food and emotional needs. The conversation begins with a reflection on Stef's Instagram post suggesting that food serves as a portal to solitude, comfort, pleasure, and escape, making the idea of changing one’s relationship with food seem like a sacrifice of essential coping mechanisms. The discussion delves into personal anecdotes and reflections on how food has occupied significant mental and emotional real estate, offering a sense of engagement or distraction during times of discomfort or emptiness.

The conversation shifts to the concept of "spoon theory" as a metaphor for energy and capacity management, illustrating how individuals have limited resources to cope with daily demands. This leads to a broader discussion on the importance of recognizing one’s own limits and allowing oneself the grace to rest without self-judgment. The episode emphasizes the significance of self-awareness and giving oneself permission to meet needs in more diverse and healthy ways, including acknowledging the importance of physical touch and emotional support.

Throughout, the hosts engage with their live community, incorporating questions and comments that enrich the conversation.

Join the LAD Membership

Life After Diets on Instagram

The LAD Website

Email us @ lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com

Stefanie's Website

Stefanie on Instagram

Stef's Body Image Webinar + Workbook

Sarah's website

Sarah's YouTube Channel

Sarah’s book, I Can’t Stop Eating, is available on Amazon

In this episode, we have a pretty cool chat with Stephanie Dodier, reformed dieter and coach for women post diet-culture. We dive deep into how society kinda messes with our heads, telling us we need to look a certain way to feel good about ourselves. Dodier brings up something called "the safety of conformity," which is basically about how we mix up feeling safe with actually being confident.

Stephanie shares some personal stories -- for example, about being taken to a Weight Watchers meeting when she was just 12. It was a tough moment that stuck with her, making her feel like her body was somehow "wrong." This story set the stage for a lot of what she talked about, like how we chase after this image society wants for us, thinking it'll make us happy or confident, but it's really about feeling safe from judgment.

The chat also ventures into how all of this safety stuff isn't just about weight. It ties into aging, health, and money. (Did you ever stop to think about how being worried about money is kind of similar to worrying about weight?) It's all about trying to fit into what we think we're supposed to be.

Towards the end, we disuss how facing doubts and insecurities is actually a part of being confident. The real journey is about exploring all of the parts of our lives where we might not feel secure -- and figuring out how to work with them.

Bio: Stephanie Dodier is a Clinical Nutritionist CNP, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, host of two top-ranking podcasts in the non-diet industry and creator of the Going Beyond The Food Method™️. She founded Undiet Your Life, a global coaching and online training platform focused on helping women make peace with food and their body so that they can live a fulfilling life… right now! She is also the founder of Undiet Your Coaching Practice, a global professional training platform. To connect with Stephanie, explore her links below:

Website: https://www.stephaniedodier.com

Podcast: Going Beyond the Food

Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephdodier

Join the LAD Membership

Life After Diets on Instagram

The LAD Website

Email us @ lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com

Stefanie's Website

Stefanie on Instagram

Stef's Body Image Webinar + Workbook

Sarah's website

Sarah's YouTube Channel

Sarah’s book, I Can’t Stop Eating, is available on Amazon