Her Best Self: Freedom from Disordered Eating, Body Obsession & Perfectionism

EP 226.5: Your Summer Recovery Survival Guide ~ How to Navigate BBQs, Vacations & Bathing Suit Season

Listen Later

Summer schedules, vacations, and seasonal changes can trigger intense anxiety for those in eating disorder recovery. Host Lindsey Nichol shares how to navigate BBQs, beach trips, bathing suit season, and schedule disruptions while prioritizing your healing journey. Learn practical tools used in private coaching sessions to "armor up" for summer recovery success.

Key Takeaways
  • Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't either
  • Summer is actually the PERFECT time to prioritize recovery and put yourself first
  • The brain feels unsafe with change - use this knowledge to your advantage
  • Create structure that supports recovery, not rigid control
  • Practice "doing the opposite" of what your ED voice demands
    • Main Topics Covered
    🌞 Why Summer Triggers Eating Disorders
    • Schedule changes and routine disruptions
    • Cultural pressure around "bikini bodies"
    • Increased social eating situations
    • Vacation anxiety and food fears
    • The restrict-before-and-after-vacation cycle
      • 🛡️ Your Summer Recovery Armor
      • Creating a flexible summer schedule that supports healing
      • Pre-planning and pre-deciding for events and vacations
      • Setting boundaries with family and friends
      • Packing recovery essentials for travel
      • Choosing comfort over societal expectations
        • 🎯 Practical Recovery Tools
        • The Opposite Action Strategy: Do the opposite of what your ED voice tells you
        • Truth-Telling Conversations: Being honest with friends about your recovery needs
        • Comfort-First Approach: Choosing clothing and activities that honor your body
        • Permission and Grace: Allowing flexibility without shame
          • Powerful Quotes from This Episode
          • "Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't either."
          • "We wouldn't go into battle without armor - we're not gonna do that in recovery either."
          • "You're allowed to put your recovery first."
          • "There is never shame in standing against the version of you that isn't serving you anymore."
            • Lindsey's Personal Story

            Lindsey shares her recent experience at her brother-in-law's wedding, contrasting her current freedom with past wedding anxiety. She also tells the powerful story of ordering pizza after a weekend away - choosing recovery over restriction.

            Action Steps for Listeners
            1. Map out your summer schedule and identify potential trigger situations
            2. Practice the opposite action when your ED voice speaks up
            3. Create your summer recovery toolkit (snacks, journal, comfortable clothes)
            4. Set boundaries and communicate your needs to loved ones
            5. Remember your why - where do you want to be next summer?
              6. Questions for Reflection
              • What am I waiting for in my recovery journey?
              • How can I prepare for upcoming events in a way that supports my healing?
              • What boundaries do I need to set this summer?
              • What would freedom look like in my summer experience?
                • Connect with Lindsey
                • Website: www.herbestself.co 
                • Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 
                • Client Applications: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejRMF7DKM5Zf9pGFDqA9crfSHD2y0UGjvvbkuTfuxTsR8lrg/viewform 
                  • About the Host

                  Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. After finding freedom from her own eating disorder, she now helps women break free from obsessive food thoughts and disordered behaviors to live their best lives.

                  If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review! Your support helps more women find freedom from food and body struggles.

                  xo,

                  Lindsey

                  Coach with Me -＞Client Application

                  * While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.

                  ...more
                  View all episodesView all episodes
                  Download on the App Store
                  Her Best Self: Freedom from Disordered Eating, Body Obsession & PerfectionismBy Lindsey Nichol - Certified Health Coach, Eating Disorder Recovery Coach, Food Freedom Coach, Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy Certified
                  • 5
                  • 5
                  • 5
                  • 5
                  • 5

                  5

                  97 ratings

                  More shows like Her Best Self: Freedom from Disordered Eating, Body Obsession & Perfectionism

                  View all
                  Food Psych Podcast with Christy Harrison by Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CEDS

                  Food Psych Podcast with Christy Harrison

                  3,065 Listeners

                  Half Size Me by Heather A. Robertson

                  Half Size Me

                  2,199 Listeners

                  Brain over Binge Podcast by Kathryn Hansen

                  Brain over Binge Podcast

                  702 Listeners

                  The Body Love Binge - Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast by Victoria Kleinsman

                  The Body Love Binge - Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

                  48 Listeners

                  The Eating Disorder Therapist by HARRIET FREW

                  The Eating Disorder Therapist

                  105 Listeners

                  Just Eat Normally: Eating Disorder Recovery by Rachel Evans

                  Just Eat Normally: Eating Disorder Recovery

                  21 Listeners

                  Diet Culture Rebel Podcast by Bonnie Roney

                  Diet Culture Rebel Podcast

                  367 Listeners

                  Adult Child by Andrea Ashley

                  Adult Child

                  1,855 Listeners

                  Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing by Rachelle Heinemann

                  Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing

                  66 Listeners

                  The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

                  The Mel Robbins Podcast

                  19,768 Listeners

                  Seems Like Diet Culture by Mallory Page, RD

                  Seems Like Diet Culture

                  150 Listeners

                  Recover To Flourish | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast by Ciandra Birnbaum

                  Recover To Flourish | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

                  32 Listeners

                  Recovering with Danie | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast by Danie van Kay | Licensed eating disorder recovery coach

                  Recovering with Danie | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

                  21 Listeners

                  Unrestrict-ED by Emily and Han

                  Unrestrict-ED

                  15 Listeners

                  Fly To Freedom: The anorexia recovery podcast by Julia Trehane

                  Fly To Freedom: The anorexia recovery podcast

                  8 Listeners