You’d think feeling bad about your body would make you eat less. But often, it does the opposite — and no, you’re not broken for that.

In this episode, we talk about the counterintuitive link between body image spirals and the urge to binge eat. We share our own experiences of how fear, shame, and catastrophizing can kick off the cycle — sometimes even before any actual restriction happens. From the mental scarcity that shows up just at the idea of cutting back, to the sensory panic of tight jeans, we explore what’s really going on beneath the surface.

We also talk about:

• Why planning to restrict often triggers the binge

• The role of black-and-white thinking and emotional escape

• How body discomfort creates urgency to numb out

• Practical strategies for de-escalating the moment (including algorithm cleanup and body neutrality)

Plus, we share some food updates, lighter moments, and how this overlaps with topics from our other podcast, Feelings and Other Inconveniences.

If you’ve ever felt confused or ashamed about bingeing after a “bad body day,” this episode will help you understand why — and what to do about it.

  Love the episode? Leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform — it helps more than you’d think (and yes, we actually read them).

Join our support community. This community is for you if you want a safe space to work through your daily struggles with food and body image. Community membership includes livestream episode recordings (online), monthly Zoom support meetings, a private Facebook group and member-only Q&A episodes. For more information go to: https://www.patreon.com/lifeafterdiets

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterdietspodcast

Email – [email protected]

Connect with Stefanie Michele, Binge Eating Coach & Somatic Therapist IT

Website – www.iamstefaniemichele.com

Instagram – www.instagram.com/iamstefaniemichele

Connect with Sarah Dosanjh, Author & Psychotherapist

Website – www.thebingeeatingtherapist.com

Instagram – www.instagram.com/the_binge_eating_therapist

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBingeEatingTherapist

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