What does recovery actually look like years later? Do bad body image days ever completely disappear? In this vulnerable episode, Lindsey pulls back the curtain on her life after eating disorder recovery and shares exactly what she does when difficult body image moments show up - because yes, they still do sometimes.

If you've ever wondered what to expect from recovery or you're struggling with perfectionism around your healing journey, this episode will give you hope and practical tools you can use today.

Today's Truth: Recovery doesn't mean perfection - it means having the tools to navigate difficult moments with love instead of war.

🌟 The reality check: Do bad body image days ever completely stop?

🌟 Why having difficult moments doesn't mean you're "not recovered enough"

🌟 The difference between struggling in active eating disorder vs. recovery

🌟 8 practical tools for navigating bad body image days

🌟 How thoughts about your body directly impact how you feel in your body

✨ Give Yourself Grace Upon Grace

✨ Throw on Comfy, Baggy Clothes

✨ Get to the Root: What Am I Trying to Control?

✨ Resist Mirror-Checking Temptation

✨ Honor Yourself with Mindful Eating

✨ Notice Exercise Compulsions and Pause

✨ No Social Media Scrolling

✨ Ask "How Do I Want to Feel?"

💝 Recovery isn't about never struggling - it's about struggling with love instead of war

💝 Bad days don't mean bad weeks or months - you have tools now

💝 Your humanity doesn't disqualify your recovery - difficult moments are normal

💝 Progress over perfection, always - you're exactly where you need to be

💝 You can do hard things - including sitting with uncomfortable feelings

Studies show that when we focus on how we want to feel in our bodies rather than how we think we look, it directly impacts our actual body image experience. Our thoughts about our bodies influence how we experience being in our bodies - which means we have more power than we realize!

Finally, a recovery community that gets it.

If this episode resonated with you, you're exactly who The Recovery Collective was created for. This is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together every other week to normalize the messy parts of healing, celebrate victories, and support each other with practical tools and genuine understanding.

What You Get:

Special Founding Member Pricing:

Imagine having a safe space where you could share that you're having a difficult body image day and receive understanding, practical support, and gentle reminders of your worth instead of judgment.

Recovery is possible right now, and it's so much more beautiful when we do it together.

Ready to sign up? www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 

📧 Email Lindsey: [email protected] 

Limited spots available for fall coaching - only 2 slots remaining

🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms

💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if any of these steps help you this week!

Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now.

Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.

*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.