Episode 104 – Q&A with Victoria and Julia: Exercise in Recovery, Body Image, and the Messy Middle

In this episode of Fly to Freedom, Julia and Victoria are back with another listener Q&A! They answer your most pressing questions about eating disorder recovery, from reintroducing exercise to dealing with body image struggles and overcoming fears around food.

💬 When is it safe to reintroduce exercise in recovery?

• Victoria and Julia share their personal journeys with exercise addiction and how they navigated reintroducing movement without falling back into compulsive patterns.
• The importance of checking in with your why—are you moving for joy or to control your body?

💬 Coping with body image struggles after the food part of recovery is ‘sorted’

• Why body image often takes longer to heal than eating habits.
• Practical strategies for shifting focus away from body size and toward freedom and self-acceptance.

💬 The ‘Messy Middle’ of recovery – how to push through

• Why this stage feels so hard (hint: your brain is rewiring!).
• How to hold onto hope even when you don’t feel the benefits yet.

💬 Food obsession – will it ever stop?

• The difference between mental hunger and true food freedom.
• Why constantly thinking about food means your body still needs more.

💬 Handling societal stigma when recovering into a larger body

• The power of self-ownership and shifting the focus from appearance to self-worth.
• How to build a support system that truly values you for who you are.

💬 Recovery at an older age – is it ever too late?

• Julia’s experience starting recovery at 48 and why age is never a barrier to healing.

💬 How to move away from a meal plan without slipping into restriction

• The signs that you’re ready to transition away from structured eating.
• How to trust your body’s cues and avoid sneaky restrictive patterns.

💬 Near relapses – what happens if you slip back?

• Why temporary setbacks don’t mean failure.
• The importance of self-compassion, accountability, and learning from the experience.

💬 Morning hunger struggles – how to overcome the fear of breakfast

• Why delaying eating fuels the eating disorder.
• The simple mindset shift that helps you start your day with recovery instead of restriction.

✨ Takeaway Message:Recovery is about choosing freedom over and over again. It’s messy, it’s hard, but it is so worth it. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone—and support is out there for you.

💜 Join the Circle! The Eating Disorder Recovery Circle is launching on April 1st, offering expert-led support, recovery resources, and a community that truly gets it. Get on the waitlist here: https://www.edrecoverycircle.com

📩 Got a question for the next Q&A? Email Julia or Victoria directly—we love hearing from you!