In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing former Friends With Benefits client turned Team Leader, Laura Kalirai. One and a half year ago, Laura graduated from my group coaching program and today, I invited her onto the podcast to share her experience in the program and how she's been doing without the structure and accountability since graduating. Prior to joining FWB, Laura struggled with yo-yo dieting and body image issues since her youth. In this episode she shares the story behind her dieting checkered dieting history and how those struggles propelled her into a negative spiral of disordered eating. In this week's episode, we discuss: The biggest challenges she faced when the program ended and how she's been able to execute the psychological tools she learned to remain consistent in her habits. Laura shares why she decided to try hunger directed eating and how the program helped her identify herself as a struggling perfectionist Why having a more structured program was the game-changer she needed How COVID has impacted her relationship with food as she's navigated the UK's numerous lockdowns (hint: nothing changed) What physical changes she's seeing one year post-program and the eye-opening revelations she's made while continuing to step further away from diet culture What holiday and social eating looks like for her now compared to years previous (hint: no more food anxiety or losing control) Laura's BEST piece of advice for those who fear they'll gain weight if they stop calorie counting and focus on weight loss through behavior change. For more conversations on topics like binge eating, emotional eating, the all-or-nothing mindset, and your inner critic, you can check out previously recorded episodes. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover in an upcoming episode, let us know.