This episode discusses several aspects of mental hunger including its relationship to physical hunger. It emphasizes how mental hunger can feel like an insatiable desire for food, often arising from emotional and psychological factors rather than physical need. We also touch upon the significance of nervous system regulation and the complexities of achieving satisfaction while eating. The conversation highlights the role of satisfaction and self-compassion in dealing with the challenges of mental hunger. Highlights include:  What is mental hunger and why does it happen Is it real and valid or should we calm ourselves down so it goes away Physical hunger confused with mental hunger Stef’s concept of “collective hunger” What is your relationship with fullness? The role of guilt  Pleasure and satisfaction The inner child  Sarah’s concept of gentle negotiation Dealing with transitions Conscious and unconscious eating Self Trust  Join the LAD Membership Connect with the show! Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterdietspodcast/ Email – lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com Website – www.lifeafterdietspodcast.com Connect with Stefanie Michele Website – www.iamstefaniemichele.com Binge Eating Recovery Course: www.iamstefaniemichele.com/iamstefaniemichelecourse Body Image Webinar + Workbook: https://www.iamstefaniemichele.com/get-started/p/bodyimage Connect with Sarah Dosanjh Website – www.thebingeeatingtherapist.com YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBingeEatingTherapist  Sarah’s book I Can’t Stop Eating is available on Amazon  

116. But How Do I Deal With Mental Hunger?

Many people are waking up to the fact that diets don't work, but if we're not dieting, now what? How are we supposed to find balance with food and reach intuitive eating?

Join Sarah and Stef, a psychotherapist and a health coach, as they talk about all things related to disordered eating, bad body image and creating a life that's free from food and body obsession.

The hosts draw on their own eating struggles and openly share the highs and lows of pursuing food freedom over weight loss.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Self-Improvement

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.  Join the LAD Membership  Life After Diets on Instagram  The LAD Website Email us @ lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com  Stefanie's Website  Stefanie on Instagram 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

148. A Recovery Story: But What If No One Is Attracted to My Body? with community member Louise

     Join us live on Monday 20th May 2024 in Brighton:  https://www.lifeafterdietspodcast.com/evening-in-brighton/   And on Thursday 23rd May 2024 in Bournemouth:  https://www.lifeafterdietspodcast.com/day-retreat-on-the-beach/       Join our growing support community. This community is for you if you want to improve your relationship with food and become more comfortable in your own skin. Community membership includes invites to live episode recordings (online), support meetings, a private Facebook group and monthly Q&As.; For more information go to: https://www.patreon.com/lifeafterdiets      Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterdietspodcast   Email – lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com      Connect with Stefanie Michele binge eating health coach   Website – www.iamstefaniemichele.com   Instagram – www.instagram.com/iamstefaniemichele   Work with Stefanie -  www.iamstefaniemichele.com/application   Stef’s body image workshop – https://www.iamstefaniemichele.com/bodyimageworkshop2024   Body Image Webinar + Workbook:  https://www.iamstefaniemichele.com/get-started/p/bodyimage      Connect with Sarah Dosanjh 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 In this bonus episode Marcus Cain addresses community questions and discuss broader perspectives on fitness beyond mere weight loss. Marcus addresses the first question about decoupling exercise from the desire to lose weight, highlighting the challenge many face in reconnecting with exercise as a source of joy rather than a tool for body modification. He suggests exploring activities enjoyed in childhood and experimenting with movement without pressure, echoing the need to redefine personal relationships with fitness. The dialogue shifts towards finding enjoyment in exercise, especially for those who may feel demotivated by the routine aspects of training. Marcus empathizes with this sentiment, discussing his own structured training regimen that supports his hobbies, like skiing, illustrating the concept of exercising for pleasure and functionality rather than for aesthetic changes. The discussion also covers the psychological hurdles in fitness, such as dealing with plateaus and maintaining motivation amidst slow progress. Marcus underscores the importance of understanding that progress is non-linear and managing expectations realistically to sustain long-term fitness goals. Another significant portion of the conversation focuses on inclusive fitness practices. They discuss the challenges faced by individuals with bigger bodies, emphasizing the importance of creating positive and accommodating exercise environments free from judgment and stigma. Marcus advocates for a gentle approach to fitness that respects individual experiences and promotes healing from past traumas related to exercise. Throughout the conversation, there's a recurring theme of questioning traditional fitness narratives and encouraging a more holistic, inclusive, and enjoyable approach to physical activity. The hosts and Marcus emphasize shifting the focus from weight-centric goals to embracing exercise as a part of a fulfilling lifestyle. Prilepin's chart  https://precisionpowerlifting.com/2020/04/20/prilepins-chart-and-powerlifting/                           

BONUS Ep. w/Marcus Kain – Exercise After Dieting

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"   Join the LAD Membership  Life After Diets on Instagram  The LAD Website Email us @ lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com  Stefanie's Website  Stefanie on Instagram 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

147. But Is It Possible to Pursue Weight Loss After Giving Up Dieting?

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.  Join the LAD Membership  Life After Diets on Instagram  The LAD Website Email us @ lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com  Stefanie's Website  Stefanie on Instagram 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

146. But I Have A Scarcity Mindset

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

116. But How Do I Deal With Mental Hunger?

Download our free app to listen on your phone