Food Shrinks

Episode 32: You Do Not Owe the World a Smaller Body


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In this unapologetically honest and deeply validating conversation, the Food Shrinks crew dives into one of the hottest topics in food addiction recovery: weight as a false measure of success. Why do some professionals in the recovery field still equate smaller bodies with deeper healing? And what happens when people in larger bodies feel excluded—even when they're abstinent and thriving?

Molly, Clarissa, and MP break down the damaging impact of internalized weight stigma, explore why body size is not a clinical marker of recovery, and call out harmful assumptions that show up even in professional spaces. They share real stories from their Sweet Sobriety groups, challenge toxic cultural messaging, and reclaim the right to define recovery on your own terms.

Whether you're in a larger body, a smaller one, or still figuring things out—this episode is a must-listen.

💬 Topics We Cover:

  • Why weight is not and has never been a reliable recovery metric
  • The harmful myth of the "right-sized" recovery body
  • How professionals perpetuate weight stigma (even unintentionally)
  • What it means to define your own recovery
  • The danger of unprompted weight commentary from practitioners
  • Recovery at every size: nuance, metabolism, and lived experience
  • Why shame, not weight, is often the real barrier to healing
  • The difference between health at every size and health at a lot of sizes
  • How to protect your recovery from body-based judgment

🧠 Mic Drop Moments:

"Judging recovery by weight loss is like judging a house fire victim by how quickly they redecorated."

"You do not owe the world an aesthetically pleasing body."

"One person doesn't get to decide what recovery looks like for someone else."

📬 Have a Question or Topic You Want Us to Cover?

Email us at [email protected] We'd love to hear from you!

💖 Help Us Spread the Word:

If this episode spoke to you, please take 30 seconds to:

  • Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube
  • Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating or review
  • Share it with a friend or recovery group

Every share supports our mission to bring truth without shame to the food addiction recovery world. Thank you!

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

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Food ShrinksBy Clarissa Kennedy, Molly Carmel, Molly Painschab

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