Hey, mama! If you've ever felt trapped in the binge–restrict cycle—being “good” all week only to find yourself raiding the pantry by Friday night—this episode is going to set you free. I’m joined by my friend and fellow coach, Amber Abila, who shares her powerful story of overcoming binge eating and how dieting actually creates the very problem we’re trying to fix.

Together, we unpack why calorie counting and over-restriction lead to overeating, how to rewire your brain to end bingeing for good, and what healthy restriction really looks like (because yes, there’s such a thing!). You’ll walk away with a new understanding of what’s happening in your brain and how to step into real food freedom—without the guilt, shame, or “start-again-Monday” mindset.

We cover:

• The difference between binge eating and overeating (and why both start with restriction)
• Why dieting and calorie counting backfire—and what to do instead
• How to recognize “mental restriction” even when you’re eating enough
• What healthy, loving boundaries with food look like
• How to sit with urges and break the binge habit for good
• Why intuitive eating alone might not be the full answer
• What real recovery and food freedom can look like long-term

💗 Resources mentioned:

– Amber’s Guided Urge Audio to stop a binge before it starts: theconfidenteater.org

– Follow Amber on Instagram @theconfidenteater

– Check out her podcast Become a Confident Eater

– Join the Free the Moms Membership: lauraconley.com/freethemoms

– Learn more about The Yummy Mummy Experience: lauraconley.com/lose

If you’re ready to stop obsessing over food, feel normal around your favorite treats, and finally trust yourself again, this one’s for you. Press play, take a deep breath, and let’s break the cycle—for good. 💕

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

2:12 - Amber’s story: from restriction to recovery

6:14 - How dieting rewires your brain for bingeing

10:58 - Binge vs. overeating and how to spot the difference

14:46 - The myth of “no restriction” and what healthy limits really mean

18:42 - Letting go of desperation around weight loss

26:10 - The first step to interrupt the binge–restrict loop

30:20 - What to do after a binge—without shame

34:36 - Can you fully recover from binge eating?

38:00 - Why mindset matters more than food hacks

40:20 - Final encouragement + how to find Amber

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