Shows
Feelings...and Other Inconveniences16. Why Don't I Do What I Say I'll Do?!In this episode, Stefanie Michele and Sarah Dosanjh dig into a familiar problem: why we don't do the things we know help us. Using real-life examples (walks, movement, scheduling, tiny "extra steps" that somehow feel huge), they unpack how mental load, environment cues, and internal parts create resistance. They explore the difference between shame-driven self-talk and real self-compassion, how validating resistance can loosen it, and when "understanding why" is the turning point. Expect practical takeaways, parts-work insight, and a refreshingly human conversation about motivation, inertia, and follow-through. Leave us a rating and...
2026-02-2840 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences15. The World Is On Fire (and your nervous system knows it) In this episode of Feelings… and Other Inconveniences, Stefanie Michele (certified coach + somatic practitioner) and Sarah Dosanjh (psychotherapist + author) unpack what it means to stay emotionally sane when the world feels like it's on fire. We talk about the tightrope between staying informed and getting emotionally flooded (or going numb), why social media comments can feel more destabilising than the headlines, and how two people can watch the same thing and walk away with entirely different realities (hello, "the dress" — but with much higher stakes). We also explore how values, identity, and nervous system states shape what we perceive as "truth", ...
2026-01-3141 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences14. Goals, Intentions, and that New Year FeelingIt's that time of year when everyone starts acting like January is a reset button and a goal will save their life. In this episode, Sarah and Stefanie talk about goals without the usual hype. The kind that actually fit your values versus the ones you absorb from culture and then punish yourself for not wanting. They get into why goal language can feel weirdly controlling, why outcome-based goals can ramp up pressure fast, and what changes when you shift toward intention, presence, and process instead of chasing a finish line. If goal season makes...
2025-12-2740 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences13. The Mental Load: Why Our Brains Won't Switch Off In this episode of Feelings… and Other Inconveniences, we dive into the invisible weight of mental load – the constant thinking, tracking and planning that never seems to switch off, even when we are "off duty." Are we confusing mental load with caring? What happens in our bodies when we are carrying too much? And what do we believe will fall apart if we stop managing everything? We talk about: 💫 How to tell the difference between stress and anxiety in real life, not just in theory 💫 Caring for ageing parents, parenting, work and that feeling of always having "one more thing" to do 💫 The...
2025-12-1344 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences12. The Need for External ValidationIn this episode, hosts Sarah Dosanjh, psychotherapist and author, and Stefanie Michele, certified coach and somatic practitioner, dive into the complex psychology of external validation—why we crave approval, how it shapes our sense of worth, and what it means to find confidence that isn't dependent on others. They explore how early attachment experiences and mirroring affect our lifelong need for recognition, why creative or purpose-driven work can heighten validation sensitivity, and how to tell the difference between healthy acknowledgment vs dependency. Stefanie reflects on her own relationship with feedback as both a mirror and a...
2025-10-2541 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences11. The Inner Critic: Origins of a Misguided Life CoachMost of us know the voice: the one that points out what we should have done differently, or insists we're falling short. In this episode, Stefanie Michele (coach and somatic practitioner) and Sarah (psychotherapist and author) unpack the inner critic—where it begins, how it shows up, and how to shift it from a harsh opponent into something more useful. They explore how the critic is shaped by cultural pressures, authority figures, and even the small conclusions we draw ourselves, like comparing our bodies to others as kids. They distinguish between the "interjector" critic (the voices we in...
2025-09-2742 min
Life After Diets208. Life After Life After DietsA very special announcement to say that Life After Diets is closing a chapter to open some new ones. As Sarah makes room in her life for new endeavors (if you're in the UK area, be sure to subscribe to her mailing list for future in-person events), Stef will still be a voice in your ear under the Life After Diets name...for now. To stay in touch with Stef and Sarah, you can use the following links: Connect with Stefanie Michele, Binge Eating & Body Image Coach; Somatic Therapist Website – www.iams...
2025-09-0327 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences10. Oversharing or Just Being Real? At what point does sharing turn into oversharing? Is it when you tell a near-stranger about your mother's complicated relationship with salad? When you explain your latest existential crisis to the Uber driver who only asked if you wanted the radio on? Or when you admit to a friend that you sometimes rehearse conversations in your head before you have them (I mean that sounds right?) — but how do you know the difference? In this episode, Stefanie Michele (coach + somatic practitioner) and Sarah Dosanjh (psychotherapist + author) explore what makes a disclosure feel like "too much." They start by asking wh...
2025-08-2734 minLife After Diets207. I'm Not Bingeing But I'm Not Healed, EitherRecovery from disordered eating doesn't end the moment bingeing stops — that's often where an entirely new phase begins. In this episode, Stef and Sarah unpack the often-overlooked "middle ground" of recovery — the stage where the chaos of bingeing has quieted, but true peace with food still feels out of reach. Stef describes this phase as a kind of emotional limbo: the urgency is gone, but now there's loneliness, uncertainty, and a disorienting sense of now what?. Sarah shares how she moved from bingeing to occasional overeating, and how easy it was to slip into black-and-white thinking without reco...
2025-08-2042 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences9. The Secret Emotional Life of Laziness Think you're lazy? In this episode of Feelings and Other Inconveniences, therapists Sarah Dosanjh and Stefanie Michele pull apart one of the most loaded labels we give ourselves: laziness. Is it a real trait—or just a label we slap on something deeper? From resistance to overwhelm, passive rebellion to the emotional weight of impossible expectations, they dig into the psychology behind why we sometimes can't (or won't) act. Stefanie shares personal moments when she mistook depression for laziness, and Sarah reflects on how "doing nothing" can actually be an act of protection. Together, they ex...
2025-08-1338 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences8. Live Authentically! (Whatever That Means)What if your biggest regret at the end of your life was never truly living as yourself? In this episode, Sarah and Stef crack open the #1 regret of the dying—wishing they'd had the courage to live authentically, not just follow the script written by others. With raw honesty and a dash of humor, the hosts swap stories about breaking free from expectations—whether it's skipping university, ditching a "dream job," or proudly embracing cat-lady status. They dig into why it's so hard to know what you really want, how people-pleasing and cultural "shou...
2025-07-3043 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences7. I'm Being Good… And I Need You to Notice Do our good deeds really count if they also make us feel good? In this episode, psychotherapist Sarah Dosanjh and coach Stefanie Michele unpack the messy middle between selflessness and self-interest. From love languages to financial guilt, they explore how early conditioning, ego, and the need for connection shape our most generous acts. With personal stories and candid reflections, this conversation invites you to rethink what it means to give—and whether "selfish" is really a bad word after all. 00:12 Exploring Selfless Acts 00:58 Client's Struggle with Gift Giving 02:10 Love Languages and Self-Interest 04:43 Personal Stories of Generosity 08:34 Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset 16:27 Reflecti...
2025-07-1638 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences6. Outgrowing You Feels Rude (But Here We Are) This week, Stefanie Michele (coach + somatic practitioner) and Sarah Dosanjh (psychotherapist + author) explore the tender, often confusing territory of outgrowing friendships—and why it can feel more complicated than a breakup. They unpack what it's like to feel the slow drift, the quiet mismatch, or the emotional flatness in relationships that once felt vital. When values change, life phases shift, or emotional reciprocity feels lopsided, it's hard to know whether to let go, hang on, or renegotiate the dynamic. The episode weaves in personal stories, including reflections on feeling loyal to people we've quietly drifted fr...
2025-07-0251 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences5. Waiting For the Other Shoe to Drop (and other genius coping mechanisms)Do you ever get that feeling like something bad is just around the corner—even when things are going fine? In this episode, Sarah and Stef unpack the sneaky mindset of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is it intuition? Is it trauma? Is it your hormones? From personal stories to psychological insight, they dig into the difference between gut feelings and hypervigilance, why calm can feel suspicious, and how to start trusting safety when you're wired for threat. If you've ever struggled to feel peace without also feeling suspicious of it—this one's for you. 00:45 Understanding 'Waiting for the Othe...
2025-06-1839 min
Find Your Strong PodcastDoing The Work. Recovering From Binge Eating Disorder, with Sarah DosanjhSend us Fan MailOh wow - we had Sarah Dosanjh on the pod!!! And how lovely is she? Sarah is a qualified and BACP-accredited psychotherapist specialising in binge eating — not just through training, but lived experience too. After over a decade of struggling with binge eating and bulimia, it was deep inner work that finally transformed her relationship with food. That journey now informs how she supports others.Since publishing I Can’t Stop Eating (an Amazon bestseller) in 2020, she's raised awareness through BBC Radio One, Sky’s Roundtable, BBC Breakfast, and deliver...
2025-06-0549 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences4. Being Misunderstood: It's Not Me, It's You...or Is It Me?Not everyone is going to "get" us—but being misunderstood still stings. In this episode, Stefanie Michele (coach + somatic practitioner) and Sarah Dosanjh (psychotherapist + author) dig into the uncomfortable and triggering feeling of being misunderstood—especially in a world that thrives on hot takes and out-of-context clips. From the chaos of YouTube comments to subtle miscommunications in daily life, they explore what gets activated when people don't "get" us, why it's not always about ego, and how to stay rooted in your own truth without needing to over-explain. They're not here to convince anyo...
2025-06-0443 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences3. I Tried to Change but My Personality Said NoIn this episode, psychotherapist Sarah Dosanjh and coach/somatic practitioner Stefanie Michele unpack the messy truth about personal growth. Can we actually change who we are, or are we just managing symptoms with nicer language? They get real about procrastination, personality quirks, self-perception, and the parts of us that therapy just won't touch. Through personal stories and client insights, they explore the line between acceptance and accountability — and why some things evolve, while others might be here to stay. It's not a self-help pep talk. It's a nuanced look at...
2025-05-2145 minFeelings...and Other Inconveniences1. Feelings: The Original InconvenienceIn this episode, Stef & Sarah (the duo behind Life After Diets) kick off a new podcast project exploring emotional awareness, self-understanding, and mental wellness. Drawing inspiration from Carl Jung and Eckhart Tolle, they unpack how we actually experience our emotions — especially the tangled web between anger, sadness, and shame. Through personal stories and candid reflections, they explore how emotions shape our behaviors, relationships, and sense of self. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your feelings or unsure what you're even feeling in the first place, this episode will resonate. With their signature mix of depth, hu...
2025-05-1040 minLife After Diets197. But My Body Image Is All Over the Place In this episode, Stef and Sarah are talking about body image fluctuations. They kick things off with Stef admitting she's been in a bit of a funk lately, which has her feeling some body image blues. They chat about how our moods can totally mess with how we see our bodies—like when you're tired or anxious, everything feels heavier and more irritating. Stef talks about the importance of recognizing these mood shifts and working on regulating them before trying to 'fix' anything else. They also tackle the topic of 'floods'—thos...
2025-04-2342 minLife After Diets196. But I Can't Forgive Myself for My Unhealthy BehaviorsIn this heartfelt episode, Sarah and Stef explore the concept of self-forgiveness, including that it isn't about excusing harmful behaviors but rather about understanding and acknowledging the underlying causes of our actions. Sarah emphasizes the role of self-forgiveness in her personal growth, sharing how recognizing our inherent innocence can change the way we address self-blame and guilt. Stef reflects on the interplay between self-forgiveness and accountability, discussing the importance of balancing compassion with the acknowledgment of our responsibilities. Listeners will find relatable anecdotes about personal struggles with self-forgiveness and practical insights into how t...
2025-04-1644 minLife After Diets195. But Everyone is Losing Weight on Weight Loss Drugs -- and Frankly I'm StrugglingThe main topic of the episode addresses the recent cultural emphasis on thinness and the use of weight loss drugs like GLP-1 medications. Stef and Sarah explore the societal pressure for thinness, the resurgence of weight loss as a value, and how it impacts people on a personal level, particularly those in recovery from eating disorders. They delve into their own experiences and observations about how the culture of weight loss drugs affects our body image. Stef discusses the guilt and pressure experienced by both those who choose to take or avoid these medications and shares personal...
2025-04-0936 minLife After Diets194. But I Can't Diet (and I'm Mad/Sad About It!) - Part Two In this episode, Sarah and Stef explore the topic of why they decided to make this a rare two-part series. Stef sparked the idea due to a client's suggestion to dive deeper into the emotional aspects tied to realizing one can't diet anymore. They chat about their personal experiences and how differently they feel about the inability to diet. Stef shares that she often felt anger, stemming from the frustrating feeling of being controlled by an uncontrollable force. Sarah, on the other hand, felt sadness and a bit of unease about not being...
2025-04-0247 minLife After Diets193. But Now I Can't Diet Even if I Want To!Sarah and Stef delve into the complex emotions around dieting and the struggles of non-diet living. To kick things off, Sarah brings up the topic of feeling stuck between wanting to diet and feeling like you can't, even if you wanted to. This sets the stage for a thoughtful discussion about how dieting, and the decision to step away from it, evokes a range of emotions—from failure to empowerment. Stef offers personal anecdotes and client stories, revealing how the dieting mindset is often ingrained in us from a young age, making it a tough cycle to break. She highlights the...
2025-03-2636 minLife After Diets192. Health Anxiety Or Health Concern?This episode delivers a nuanced discussion to help you differentiate between health concerns and health anxiety/disorder. Stef shares her personal journey of health with her development of orthorexia, sharing insights into how she navigated fear and eventaully learned to balance awareness with emotional regulation. The hosts both highlight the impact of diet culture and wellness culture on their perceptions of health and food, and how diverging from these influences helped them take care of their health without excessively attaching to food as the end-all-be-all of health outcomes. Sarah's Your Intuitive Eating Blueprint Co...
2025-03-1937 minLife After Diets191. The Father WoundIn this heartfelt episode of the Life After Diets podcast, Sarah and Stef dive into the complex topic of "the father wound." Sarah Dosanjh, a psychotherapist, and Stef, a binge recovery health coach, share personal stories and insights about how their relationships with their fathers have impacted their lives and emotional well-being. Sarah opens up about her father's unpredictable nature, oscillating between fun, adventurous moments and explosive anger, which left her feeling punished and bewildered. Stef adds her perspective, sharing how her father's volatility has rendered her feeling helpless at times and describes how she has navigated...
2025-03-1238 minLife After Diets190. Melissa GuestIn this guest episode, Stef's former client Melissa shares her story of leaving Overeaters Anonymous after twenty years to heal her "inner munchie." Melissa, a therapist from Michigan who also has ADHD, explains how her disordered relationship with food began at a young age when she couldn't "control" her sweet cravings and inherited shame about this part of herself. Working to integrate all of her Parts through Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, Melisssa worked towards an Intutive Eating model and allowed herself to incorporate all foods in a radical departure from her OA food plan. Melissa Persechini...
2025-03-0549 minLife After Diets189. But is Food Freedom Eating Whatever I Want?In this episode, Sarah and Stef dive into the topic of food permission, addressing the intriguing question: "Can you really eat whatever you want whenever you want?" They share personal insights and client experiences to unpack the concept of intuitive eating, discussing the common misunderstandings and the nuanced approach necessary for true food freedom. They emphasize the importance of balancing permission with consideration, understanding emotional and mental restrictions, and the role of gentle nutrition. They also highlight how different individuals might need to approach intuitive eating uniquely based on their personal history and...
2025-02-2638 minLife After Diets188. Acceptance vs Defeat; Toastmasters and speed-puzzling; therapeutic techniques for resistance; being in a larger body on an airplane; body allowance vs body acceptanceIn this episode, Sarah and Stef explore how body acceptance might feel like defeat for many who have struggled to change their bodies and feel oppressed by their circumstances. They dissect how acceptance is a proactive practice that differs from the feeling of defeat, which is reactionary and involves a perceived loss against external forces. Stef shares personal insights on how acceptance can feel oppressive when it seems to invalidate self-advocacy, while Sarah discusses how resistance to acceptance often stems from fear and shame. The conversation touches on therapeutic techniques to work through resistance, the importance of...
2025-02-1940 minLife After Diets187. Never Binge Again by Glenn Livingstone: A Book ReviewIn Episode 187, we dive headfirst into the popular yet contentious world of diet psychology with our review of "Never Binge Again" by Glenn Livingstone, PhD. This episode is for anyone interested in behavioral psychology, eating disorder recovery, or just looking for a candid conversation that challenges traditional expert opinion. Join Sarah and Stef as they dissect Livingstone's approach to defeating binge eating, which promotes calling our cravings "pig squeals" and embracing extreme black-and-white thinking. Expect a lively discussion infused with personal anecdotes about coping with binge eating, heated debates about oversimplification in addiction recovery, and r...
2025-02-1245 minLife After Diets186. But Are Weight Loss Injections a Ticking Time Bomb?Welcome to Episode 186 of "Life After Diets," where Stef and Sarah dive into a topic we've surprisingly not tackled before—GLP-1 medications and their implications. GLP-1, commonly known from brands like Ozempic, has been generating buzz for its use in weight management. In this episode, Stef and Sarah unpack the complexities of this tender subject, sharing their personal and professional insights. We kick things off by reminiscing about a previously unreleased episode that touched on similar themes. From there, Sarah candidly discusses the difficulties she faces when speaking about GLP-1s, including the delicate balance of expressing pe...
2025-02-0541 minLife After Diets185. But How Do I Stop Body Checking?This episode delves into topic of body checking—when individuals habitually monitor their body size or shape. Sarah and Stef share personal experiences, discussing their different relationships with body checking. Stef candidly describes how body checking was a way to manage her anxiety and provides insights into her journey towards recovery, detailing strategies such as changing her response to body checking rather than trying to stop the behavior outright. Sarah contrasts with Stef by explaining that during her episodes of binge eating and rapid weight gain, she avoided body checking because it was too distressing. Sh...
2025-01-2940 minLife After Diets184. Planned vs Unplanned Binge Eating? (Live Episode)In this insightful episode of Life After Diets, hosts Stef and Sarah delve into the topic of planned versus unplanned binges. They explore the complexities behind both types of binge eating, including personal anecdotes and psychological insights. The discussion covers how factors like anxiety, stress, and emotional triggers contribute to these behaviors. They also examine the role of planning in providing a sense of control and how unplanned binges often feel more impulsive and uncontrollable. Through an open forum with their community, they engage in a deeper conversation about managing anxiety, recognizing patterns, and finding ways to cope with...
2025-01-2241 minLife After Diets183. The Mother Wound – How Our Mothers Screwed Us UpIn this episode, Stef and Sarah delve into the emotional topic of the mother wound. The discussion begins with light-hearted banter but quickly deepens into a profound conversation about the impact mothers have on their children. They explore insights from books like "Mother Hunger" by Kelly McDaniel and "Discovering the Inner Mother" by Bethany Webster but also bring personal experiences into the room. The hosts discuss the different ways mothers can nurture and unintentionally wound their children (is the Mother Wound even avoidable from an existential perspective?) and how these experiences shape adult relationships and self-concept, including our relationships...
2025-01-1544 minLife After Diets181. But it's 2025! Choosing a "Word for the Year"If you're tired of "new year, new you" energy, tune into this lower-pressure episode where Sarah and Stef meet the new year with gentle intentions and "words for the year." We'll give you the space to have goals for yourself without the pressure of "pass/fail" or completely reinventing yourself overnight. Stefanie's Somatic Experiencing and Nervous System Regulation Course is enrolling now! Use code: LADLISTENS for a discount at checkout Join our growing support community. This community is for you if you want a safe space to work through your daily struggles with food and b...
2025-01-0142 minLife After Diets180. A Christmas Morning RambleThis episode was supposed to be about self-care during the holidays...and it turned into a ramble between Stef and Sarah about Christmases past and present, how to cope during the week between Christmas and New Years, and...productivity? We're just here to keep you company this week. So settle in with your cup of hot chocolate and join us for this Christmas Day ramble. Join our growing support community. This community is for you if you want a safe space to work through your daily struggles with food and body image. Community membership includes livestream episode...
2024-12-2636 minLife After Diets179. Exploring the Emotion of Sadness in a Healthy Relationship with FoodIn this insightful episode, Sarah and Stef delve into the complex interplay of emotions like sadness, anger, and disconnection. They explore how sadness is often a front for deeper emotional experiences and how it contrasts with the energizing force of anger. Stef shares her struggles with collapsing into sadness and explains how food was a coping mechanism for her during emotionally trying times. Sarah discusses the nuanced responses to sadness and the importance of grieving effectively. The episode touches on topics like childhood conditioning, parental responses to emotions, and the societal expectations around gender and emotional expression.
2024-12-1845 minLife After Diets177. Trauma Informed Exercise and Binge Eating Recovery with Laura KhoudariIn this week's episode, Sarah and Stef welcome Laura Khoudari, a trauma-informed personal trainer, writer, and the author of "Lifting Heavy Things." Laura shares her unique approach to strength training, which prioritizes the nervous system and emotional well-being over traditional fitness goals. Throughout the interview, Laura opens up about her personal journey from dealing with chronic pain and binge eating disorder to finding empowerment through strength training. She also discusses what it means to be a trauma-informed personal trainer and how this differs from conventional personal training methods. Listeners will gain insights into the importance...
2024-12-0445 minLife After Diets176. But Getting Sick Increases My Appetite!In Episode 176 of our podcast, titled "Sickness and Appetite," hosts Stef and Sarah delve into the intricate relationship between illness and appetite. They share personal stories and theories on how sickness affects hunger, exploring varied reactions ranging from increased appetite to the desire for comfort food. Stef discusses a potential connection between eating disorders and an increased appetite during illness, while Sarah reflects on emotional responses to being sick. The conversation also touches on the psychological impacts of illness, orthorexia, and strategies for managing fluctuating appetites during and after sickness. This episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for...
2024-11-2736 minLife After Diets174. But I Eat to Manage StressIn this episode, Sarah and Stef dive into the complex relationship between stress and eating habits. They share personal anecdotes (starting with Sarah's recent Domino's Pizza ordering experience) about how stress impacts their food choices and delve into the psychological and physiological reasons behind these patterns. Topics discussed include the challenges of stress-induced cravings, the role of carbohydrates and comfort foods, and practical strategies for managing stress. The episode also explores the benefits of somatic and cognitive approaches to stress. Join our growing support community. This community is for you if you want a safe space to w...
2024-11-1345 minLife After Diets173. But Is It All-In Recovery or All-Or-Nothing Thinking?In this live episode, hosts Sarah and Stef explain the concepts of "All-In Recovery" versus "All or Nothing Thinking," particularly in the context of the nondiet approach to overeating and restriction cycles. Stef explains that "All-In Recovery" involves abandoning restrictive eating behaviors entirely, which actually IS a quite all-or-nothing experience. She also explains how it worked to find enough inner quiet to actually find intuitive eating authentically. Throughout the episode, they highlight the distinctions between intentional eating without shame and unchecked binge eating, stressing the importance of presence and self-compassion in recovery. The hosts also a...
2024-11-0644 minLife After Diets172. But How Do I Deal with Being Triggered?In this episode, we delve into the concept of "triggers" and how they affect our emotions and behaviors (including how they impact binge eating and restricting and body image). Our hosts, Sarah and Stef, share personal anecdotes about feedback on social media (like when people make comments about our clothes or teeth or how we are only in this for ourselves), the psychological and physical responses to being triggered, coping mechanisms, and practical tools. They differentiate between being triggered and being activated, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and time to process intense emotions. The conversation touches on the role...
2024-10-3045 minLife After Diets171. But How Do I Navigate Motherhood and Pregnancy In Recovery? In this heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the complexities of motherhood, pregnancy, and recovery. Join Stef and Sarah as they discuss personal experiences and answer listener questions surrounding motherhood, disordered eating, and the challenges of recovery. From confronting body image issues during pregnancy to navigating the hurdles of parenting while recovering from an eating disorder, this episode offers valuable insights and emotional support for mothers and parents with a complicated food/body relationship. Tune in for an open and honest conversation that sheds light on the realities of motherhood and the journey to self-acceptance. Join our growing support co...
2024-10-2338 minLife After Diets170. But How Do I Handle Eating Out?In this episode of our podcast, join Sarah and Stef as they delve into the complexities of eating out. From the anxieties and guilt associated with ordering and calorie counting to the social pressures of dining with others, they discuss the various challenges people face. The conversation also touches on topics like intuitive eating, practical tips for overcoming eating-related stress, and reflections on personal experiences with food and dining out. Whether you're navigating disordered eating or simply looking to feel more comfortable eating out, this episode offers valuable insights and advice. Join our growing support community. This...
2024-10-1639 minLife After Diets169. But How Do I Experience JOY?In this lively and unique episode, Sarah and Stef delve into the concept of joy. They share their personal experiences and struggles with finding joy, reflecting on moments that brought them happiness and the impact those moments had on their mental states. From a sunny drive to Brighton listening to summer reggae (Sarah) to a rollercoaster ride with her daughters (Stef), they explore how joy can stem from both big and small moments. They also discuss the complications of linking joy to external validation (like viral YouTube success or getting asked out by a crush) versus the pure joy f...
2024-10-0939 minLife After Diets165. But I Can't Stop Overeating In this episode, hosts Stefanie and Sarah dive into the complexities surrounding overeating, especially in the context of recovery from binge eating. They discuss the difference between binge eating and overeating, and explore how habits, stress, and emotional regulation play into our eating behaviors. Using real-life anecdotes and client experiences, they offer compassionate insights into understanding and managing overeating without demonizing it. Listeners will also learn about the psychological and physiological factors that can contribute to this behavior, including the role of hormones and histories of ED. They also speak to those who suffer from chronic overeating patterns in the...
2024-09-1142 minLife After Diets164. But What Are "Anchor Meals"?Welcome back to another episode, everyone! In today's chat, we are explaining Stef's concept of "anchor meals", their psychological and physiological impacts, and how they fit into our daily routines. We start off with entertaining personal stories—from recording mishaps to culinary adventures in Spain—that segue into a discussion on why knowing when your next meal is coming is important for our mental and physical well-being. We explore how sticking to regular meal times can sync up with our body's internal hunger cues, providing a sense of security and balance—especially for those recovering from disordered eating...
2024-09-0435 minLife After Diets161. But Can Food Guilt Be A Motivator?In this episode, we explore the complex role guilt plays in our lives, particularly around topics like eating, self-care, and productivity. We start things off with some chit-chat about recording while standing up -- Stef has a moment of body image angst, revisted at the end of the episode. We discuss how guilt can stem from societal expectations and personal values, and whether it truly helps drive positive change or just makes us feel worse. We also talk about how guilt compares to integrity and self-care, arguing that aligning with one's values might be a healthier motivator...
2024-08-1440 minLife After Diets160. But Why is Mindful Eating SO Hard?!In this engaging episode of their podcast, Stef and Sarah dive deep into the topic of mindful eating. Stef shares some insightful anecdotes about how clients often come to her with a preconceived notion of how they "should" be eating. Sarah chimes in with practical advice from her workshops, suggesting that eating mindfully isn't about being perfect but more about being present. Throughout the episode, they explore the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the practice. They emphasize that mindful eating isn't one-size-fits-all. For some, it can exacerbate issues like perfectionism or diet culture pressures. They also talk about...
2024-08-0743 minLife After Diets158. But What the Hell (Effect)In this episode of the "WTH Effect" podcast, hosts Stef and Sarah dive deep into the "What the Hell Effect," discussing personal experiences, psychological factors, and actionable strategies to cope with this common eating phenomenon. They explore the intersection of binge eating, restriction, and emotional regulation, providing valuable insights into how to manage the cycle of "breaking food rules" and guilt. Key topics include the abstinence violation effect, black-and-white thinking, and the importance of self-exploration and changing one's relationship with food. Additional themes: injustice sense of failure self-awareness despair and helplessness humility self compassion the observer...
2024-07-2448 minLife After Diets157. But I'm Trying To Recover from Disordered Eating with DepressionIn this episode of the "Life After Diets" podcast, we explore the journey of coping with depression in eating disorder recovery. Join us as we discuss personal stories, coping strategies, and nervous system theory with our hosts, Sarah Dosanjh, psychotherapist and author of I Can't Stop Eating, and Stefanie Michele, Certified Intuitive Eating Coach and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, both recovered from binge eating. Episode Highlights include: Anxiety and Depression: are they linked? How? What depression feels like Polyvagal Theory as it applies to the stigma of mental health Who is the "real you?" Parts Theory (IFS...
2024-07-1737 minLife After Diets154. But I Don't Know What to Eat...How do other people make decisions about what to eat? Have you ever been interested in understanding what makes a person choose the breakfast or lunch or snack that they choose? Sarah and Stef offer their personal decision making processes of the meals they ate the day of recording this podcast. From there, the conversation branches off into topics like practical hunger, interoception (a principle of Intuitive Eating), cravings, habits, and preferences. We also ask ourselves the question: what do you do when nothing sounds good? Finally, we talk about what strategies you might use...
2024-06-2645 minLife After Diets153. Let's Talk About PCOS with Sam Abbott RDThis week we are talking to Sam Abbott, RD about PCOS! Many of our listeners have been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian sydrome) and medical recommendations to manage symptoms are usually geared towards weight loss and food restrictions. How does someone with PCOS balance this condition within a nondiet value system? We'll look at: What exactly is PCOS? What can be mistaken for PCOS? How does PCOS get diagnosed? Is eating low-carb important for symptom management? Can intermittent fasting help? What non-food related strategies can help? Mental health, sleep, fatigue, community support, and more! Resource: Ferriman-Gallwey Score f...
2024-06-1944 minLife After Diets152. But How Do I Deal With a Relapse?This episode is all about relapse in the context of eating disorder recovery. We cover topics such as shame, self-awareness, boundaries, dopamine regulation, catastrophization, and the impact of life circumstances on relapse. Relapses can be very distressing; it's tempting to think we've failed or that we'll "never really get better." In the second half of this episode, we talk about the idea of "remembering and forgetting" as a muscle that actually builds resilience over time in eating disorder recovery -- even if the "forgetting" is relapsing. Join our growing support community. This community is for...
2024-06-1242 minLife After Diets151. But What Do Attachment Styles Have to Do With Food Boundaries?This week we are talking about attachment styles. The psychological concepts of anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, and disorganized attachment have been used to understand our relationship dynamics with other people, but can it also be used to understand our relationship dynamics with food? For example, anxious attachment in relationships looks like constantly seeking validation and having porous boundaries with ourselves and others for fear of losing connection. Might this also translate to having porous boundaries with food? Would we consistently seek out and overeat because we have scarcity around that, too? Tune in...
2024-06-0543 minLife After Diets150. But Is It Self-Care or Self-Indulgence?The world talks a lot about self-care, but many people in this community feel selfish taking care of themselves. It can be seen as indulgent to take the time to tend to our own needs, especially as mothers -- check out the second half of the podcast where Stef addresses this from her perspective as a parent (her take might surprise you). So what's the difference between self care and self indulgence? Speaking of indulgence, we also look at the way we talk about food under this lens. Are the connotations of this word inherently problematic? Are...
2024-05-2946 minLife After Diets130. But What If Recovery Isn't Worth It?What if you're recovering from an eating disorder and it's not all it's cracked up to be? What if the "better life" everyone talks about doesn't feel true for you, and you wonder if it was actually better before? In this episode, we look at this very nuanced, delicate, and lesser-talked-about aspect of some people's experience. Does it matter if you have other "things" in your life to fall back on? Needing something else to fill the gap of a sense of "purpose" What does it mean to "create" a relationship with yourself Book recommendations for cultivating a...
2024-02-0732 minLife After Diets129. But How Do I Know If I'm Making Progress?This episode, livestreamed to our Facebook community, is a response to a listener question that asks: How do we know when we're making progress in recovery? If we aren't celebrating pounds or dress sizes lost, how do we mark the "successes" of recovery? And how do we deal with the fact that no one else can "see" it? Stef's moment in the kitchen, yesterday Sarah's mincemeat pies (and a tangent discussion on mincemeat) Stef offers examples of the small wins from her first year in recovery Self-compassion instead of shame Vulnerability and sharing with other people (power of...
2024-01-3142 minLife After DietsBack To Basics 3/4 : Tools For RecoveryThe third in a four-part series of Back to Basics; this episode reviews helpful tools for recovery from disordered eating and eating disorders. Tools include cognitive, somatic, emotional, behavioral/practical resources to support your recovery with a list of helpful accounts, books, podcasts, and links below. Education from social media, books, podcasts, etc The case for regular eating How ghrelin works "All-in" recovery or a gradual approach? Does body size matter if you do all-in? Is it easier to do in a smaller body? The part of the conversation that gets glossed over on social media. Is it t...
2024-01-1753 minLife After Diets128. Reflections & ProjectionsTwo annoucements! Join our mailing list if you want to be in the know about upcoming events in the UK this May 2024; and our next four episodes will be a Back To Basics Series. Now on to this week's episode...we're reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the new one, but not in the mainstream fashion of toxic positivity or or New Year New Me crap. If you need to get away from that energy, this one's for you. It's a silly-ish one. Our words and intentions for 2023 -- how did we do...
2023-12-2741 minLife After Diets124. Permitters and RestrictorsGeneen Roth coined the terms "permitters" and "restrictors" to differentiate between two types of (disordered) eaters -- the latter, who tend to restrict food and adhere to food rules and regulations; and the former, who reject food rules and regulations. The rule-followers vs the rebels, if you will. Which camp do you identify with? What can we learn about ourselves and our relationship with food through the lens of these concepts? We'll discuss: What does it look like to be a permitter vs a restrictor? Overeaters Anonymous meetings felt like a meeting of restrictors f...
2023-11-2939 minLife After Diets120. Dopamine and Binge Eating: a Review of Dopamine Nation by Anna LembkeSarah and Stef review the book Dopamine Nation by Dr Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. Dopamine is a fascinating neurotransmitter when it comes to binge eating for its role in the pain and pleasure connection in the brain. This episode covers: What is dopamine's role in the brain and body? Is it helpful to focus on dopamine when it comes to disordered eating recovery? Addiction to food and the chase of food The pain and pleasure see-saw What if our pain and...
2023-11-0157 minLife After Diets118. But I Don't Like Eating In Front of Other PeopleHow do you feel eating in front of other pepole? Do you tend to become self-conscious about your food choices, or find yourself overly influenced by what other people are eating? This episode looks at these questions and... Stef & Sarah's food experiences in Dublin and how self-consciousness played (and didn't play) a role Ways it can be helpful to be influenced by other people's choices How safe do you feel being able to do what YOU need to do in the presence of others? When people prepare food for you Stef's client who felt self-conscious eating in front...
2023-10-1840 minLife After Diets116. But How Do I Deal With Mental Hunger?This episode discusses several aspects of mental hunger including its relationship to physical hunger. It emphasizes how mental hunger can feel like an insatiable desire for food, often arising from emotional and psychological factors rather than physical need. We also touch upon the significance of nervous system regulation and the complexities of achieving satisfaction while eating. The conversation highlights the role of satisfaction and self-compassion in dealing with the challenges of mental hunger. Highlights include: What is mental hunger and why does it happen Is it real and valid or should we calm ourselves down so...
2023-10-0439 minLife After Diets115. But Am I Abandoning Myself?In this episode, we dive into the concept of self-abandonment and the journey towards self-compassion. We explore the role of shame and the profound loneliness that often accompanies self-abandonment. By learning to separate feelings from shame and embracing self-care, we can navigate life's challenges without losing ourselves. Topics include: Exploring the journey of self-discovery and self-care. Overcoming the tendency to self-abandon during challenging moments. Reflecting on how survival once meant self-abandonment. Discovering the power of maintaining balance without losing oneself. Understanding the importance of taking breaks without self-abandonment. Embracing permission to "check out" when needed. Navigating life's challenges...
2023-09-2739 minLife After Diets114. But Do I Need To Do Inner Child Work?Embracing your inner child is a concept that you might see coming up when you work on ditching diet culture and embracing a nondiet or intuitive eating approach to disordered eating recovery. What is this all about? Do we need to do this in order to heal? This conversation explores: What is the inner child? Being "too much" What is the point of inner child work? Where did you first learn your body was "wrong"? Stef's adolescent period of restrictions Stef's three moments of "splitting" at ages 8, 10, and 13 Sarah's padded bra Overriding original neural...
2023-09-2046 minLife After Diets112. Food & Body Image at Yoga Teacher Training (Sarah's story)This episode was recorded after Sarah's return home from yoga teacher training in India. Sarah explores some of the human ups and downs (including body image and food difficulties) she experienced while away during training. Transitioning to the retreat and the impact of culture shock Indian eye flu, anyone? Toxic positivity "Everyone else can do it, I should be able to, too" The discomfort of being misunderstood The book that Sarah turned to in moments of extreme discomfort Being one of the largest (and oldest) bodies in the room Not having enough access to food The b...
2023-09-0649 minLife After Diets110. But I Can't Eat Without A ScreenIn a world of technology, how many of us find it easy to sit down to eat without the distraction of a screen? Is there a difference between eating in front of a TV versus eating in front of a laptop or cell phone? And more importantly, how is this impacting us? How do we work on Intuitive Eating if we feel like we need this type of distraction, or can't break the habit? We'll also talk about: Sarah's experience of separating screens from bingeing Stef's transition from dinner in front of the TV to family meals When...
2023-08-2339 minLife After Diets109. But I Hate Meal Prepping & PlanningEating is more than just eating. It's also all of the things surrounding eating -- like thinking of what to buy; actually going out and buying it; bringing it home, unpacking it, cooking it. What do we do if it's all too much? This episode also looks at: Stef's attitude to food changing through having a family Black and white thinking/perfectionism getting in the way of food preparation Sarah's digital nomad lifestyle and recipe boxes Exploring resistance Cooking as an act of 'adulting' Sarah's quick and easy go-tos Intentionality in preparation Decision making for family meals What...
2023-08-1636 minLife After Diets108. But IT'S NOT FAIR that recovery is so hard.When we stop trying to control food and body size, it can feel unfair. It's not fair that some people are smaller and others aren't. It's not fair that some people can "eat normally" and others can't. In this episode, Stef & Sarah talk extensively about their feelings of resistance around various topics related to their bodies, plus... My body isn't small – it's not fair! My body can't work like it used to – it's not fair! Would you rather be at the top-of-the-bottom or the bottom-of-the-top? Sarah's relationship with her body pain and yoga Stef's relationship with her body imag...
2023-08-0935 minLife After Diets107. But Should I Journal?Are you a journal-er? Do you want to be a journal-er? In this episode, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of journaling from the perspectives of Sarah (a journaler) and Stef (an ex-journaler). As you might expect, this is not a black and white issue; what feels helpful for some might not be as helpful for others. We'll look at: Stef's journaling experiment Can journaling make us more anxious? And if so, what else can we do? Rambling, stream-of-consciousness journaling versus intention journaling What if someone finds my journal?? Sarah pulls out one of her journal entries from...
2023-08-0250 minLife After Diets106. But How Do I Deal With JealousyHave you ever felt jealous of someone else's body? (Or anything else, really?) Comparison is normal, but if jealousy's got you down, this episode will teach you how to banish it, forever, from your life. Just kidding. But we WILL discuss: The difference between envy and jealousy What does jealousy feel like in the body? A technique for jealousy Sarah wants Stef's house but Stef wants Sarah's freedom If we had the thing we were jealous of, it might play a supporting role, but would it really change things at the core? Are we more prone to jealousy...
2023-07-2740 minLife After Diets104. But I've Heard That Fasting Is Helpful...Fasting is a trend that claims to have health benefits and influence on weight loss. What do we make of the hype? And how does it factor into people who have a history of eating disorders/disordered eating? Fasting in religion Fasting for wellness reasons How restricting – even if it was one time many years ago – gets coded as trauma in the body and "sabotages" our fasting efforts later on. The 5:2 "lifestyle" The "big names" that influenced Sarah and Stef's fasting experiences How do you know if you're fasting for health or fasting for control? Hunger vs appetite Is wa...
2023-07-1243 minLife After Diets100. Our 100th Episode! What We've Learned...It's our 100th episode! We sat down at a recording studio in NYC to celebrate 100 episodes and counting. This episode recaps the lessons we've learned doing this podcast, especially from one another, and how that has shaped our professional and personal perspectives over the past couple of years. The value of a regulated voice "Regul-eating" Control as a mechanism of safety The dynamic of differing opinions The concept of Self-abandonment (as opposed to numbing) Sarah's concept of "states" as opposed to "being recovered." Revisiting boundaries and rules Vulnerability and self disclosure on the podcast Stef's episode with her...
2023-06-1435 minLife After Diets99. But My Inner Rebel Sabotages MeNo conversation about dieting and restricting is complete without talking about the inner rebel! Is binge eating rebellious? Is restriction rebellious? How is our inner rebel at work when it comes to our relationship with food? Stef grew up as a people pleaser, but deconstructed that when her binge eating became out of control. Sarah's most important factor in keeping peace with food: feeling like she has choice. We think of the "rebel" as a bad, naughty thing; but the rebel acts in the name our our very human need for autonomy. Our baseline understanding of our own au...
2023-06-0742 minLife After Diets98. But How Would I Cope Without my Disordered Eating?Most of us develop disordered relationships with food because that food serves a purpose; it becomes a coping tool. So when we no longer have it as a way of comforting ourselves, what happens? How do we deal with that vulnerability and the huge gap it leaves in our emotional support system? What does the disordered eating help solve? Stef finds restriction the bigger gap; for Sarah, it's the binges. How do we make our own cocoons if it's not with food? Stef's somatic practice for overwhelm Depression energy coming up without the ED How yoga helped Sarah...
2023-05-3149 minLife After Diets94. But What Does Recovery from an Eating Disorder Really Look Like?In this episode, Sarah and Stef go behind the scenes of their lived experience of being in recovery from eating disorders and body image issues. What does "recovery" really look like for the hosts? Expectations of a "recovered life" Sarah's experience with the cupcake shop that doesn't actually sell cupcakes, and sitting in bed with fast food Stef: to eat or not to eat the rest of the Cadbury eggs? Stef's "Marble in the middle" concept What is Body image recovery? Sarah's "two states" concept The role of time and familiarity with how recovery feels Do Sarah and...
2023-05-0341 minLife After Diets92. Life Transitions/Sarah in NYCSarah packed her bags to head to NYC -- and this episode was recorded just a few days after she arrived. The conversation focuses on the disorientation and overwhelm we can feel during times of transition, captured in real time. How did Sarah interact with food and body image as she left her home and ventured into a new chapter? Sarah's just arrived in NYC for seven weeks! Rerouting the original plan for this weeks' topic because Sarah is in the middle of an identity/existential crisis and we want to talk about it! Food choices during the t...
2023-04-1932 minLife After Diets88. But I Keep Failing at Recovery The definition of failure Stef's motherhood "failures" When we feel like our appetite is a failure I have the tools but I don't use the tools The failure of not showing up to an event because of your body image How do you want to show up for yourself with you fail? The importance of recognizing our "parts" Sarah's story of customer service Sarah & Stef discuss their future personal dynamics for all to hear Join the LAD Membership Connect...
2023-03-2238 min
Life After Diets81. A Conversation About Brain Over BingeMany people who've struggled with binge eating for a long time have come across the book "Brain Over Binge" by Kathryn Hansen. Sarah and Stef, co-hosts, both read the book as they tried to recover and are discussing how the method landed for them. The episode looks into: Stef's history and experience with reading BOB and taking the official BOB course Sarah's experience of "looking forward to" the next binge urge to learn a new response. Dismissal of urges as irresponsible – what if those messages from the primal brain are valid, asks Stef Weight and eating as pathological Mi...
2023-02-0139 min
Life After Diets80. But I Eat to NumbRestricting and bingeing (and the spectrum of these behaviors) can be attempts to numb our emotional experience. This episode looks at different ways of numbing and how Sarah & Stef experienced using food as an escape. We cover: Numbing via eating and numbing via restriction Do binges make us "not feel" or feel more? Stef's recollection of numbing in London circa 2000 The feeling that tomorrow it will be different. Connection to break the numbing cycle Somatic practices, embodiment, checking in with the body Difficulty with empty time, in the gaps of life Numbing doesn't exist in a vacuum; food...
2023-01-2542 minLife After Diets79. But I Just Want Some ControlControl is an unavoidable theme in the subject of eating disorder recovery. What is your relationship to control and how do you define it? The hosts explore their own experience of the concept and also highlight its important (and at times, healthy) role in navigating recovery. Sarah & Stef discuss: Light podcast banter. What podcasts do we listen to? The thrill of control/restriction Stef feels like control is safety; Sarah feels like control is dominance. The role of control in bulimia and/or restriction The illusion of control; if we see that it's an illusion, does it break...
2023-01-1848 minLife After Diets78. Grief, Break-Ups, & FoodWhat role does food play in grief (around death, breakups, or existential itchiness)? In this episode Sarah & Stef share some personal stories, including a little cry! Sarah's loss of her Mum Stef's losses of relationships The idea of a "revenge body" Weight gain as a "sign" of a breakup? Stef's loss of a primary friendship in college, and what happened after Nostalgia (grief) for places and eras of life Searching for food that will take that feeling away Existential grief, even as experienced by 11 year olds The role of acceptance Sarah literally working through a grief moment in r...
2023-01-1140 minLife After Diets77. But Do Binge Urges Ever Completely Disappear?In this episode, Sarah and Stef talk about their relationship with food from a recovered perspective. Do we ever feel binge urges? Does a disordered tendency ever really disappear? Stef's experience of over-hunger and how it impacts her urge to eat Sarah's experience of brunch last Sunday Cake as a habit and compulsion (minus guilt) – Sarah's story Food neutrality does not mean some foods aren't more appealing What about dopamine? What about emotional urges to eat? And cravings? Do urges to restrict ever go away? Binge eating as something we always have to manage, and the difference of op...
2023-01-0446 minLife After Diets72. But How Do I Manage Food and Festivities?It's that time of year again! More food, more parties, more alcohol, more people to see. In this episode we talk about the many topics that come up during a season that can be tricky in a life without dieting. How the holidays "ruined" Sarah's Paleo streak Alcohol, work parties, and eating How Sarah developed her inner alcohol threshold voice Drinking as an excuse to eat Dealing with getting dressed up after weight gain Seeing photos of party pics Eating with and/or in front of others Takeaways and tips for this time of year Join the...
2022-11-3036 minLife After Diets68. But Depression and Anxiety Mess Up My EatingDepression and anxiety are common partners with binge eating, overeating, restricting, and other forms of disordered eating. What do we make of this intersection? How can we have more influence over our relationship with food if we are also dealing with these conditions? In this episode, we discuss: Definitions of depression and anxiety (and spectrums of each) Stef & Sarah's experiences of how depression feels Nervous system theory of depression: the freeze state Shame as part of the freeze/depression state The impact of depression and anxiety on the eating cycle Sarah asks Stef if she'd prefer her depression...
2022-11-0942 minLife After Diets56. But What About Food Logging and Meal Planning?Food logs and meal planning are hallmarks of weight loss efforts and diet culture. Is there any place for them in a non-diet approach? In this episode, we talk about: Do we like food diaries? Food structure reduces decision making Is intuitive eating about meal variety? But I don't like meal planning because I don't know what I'll want to eat Sarah's lunches this week What's the difference between not being satisfied and not being full? Did Stef get too hungry when Sarah visited NYC? Meal times and boundaries Join the LAD Membership Connect with...
2022-08-1037 minLife After Diets50. But How Do I Become More Intuitive With Food?If intuitive eating is the gold standard of a healthy relationship with food, how do we actually become more intuitive? In this episode, Sarah & Stef talk about: The definition of Intuition (UK vs US) What role does conscious reasoning play in intuition? The role of intuition in Sarah & Stef's lunches this week How long does it take to become more intuitive? Things that get in the way of our intuition How community might help us access intuition Is there a difference between intuition and instinct? JOIN OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP Connect with the show! ...
2022-06-2935 minLife After Diets45. But What About Bulimia Recovery?We talk a lot about binge eating in this podcast, but this episode is dedicated to our experiences with bulimia – how it looked, how it felt, and how it was different from binge eating disorder. We'll discuss: What is bulimia? Purging as an aggressive emotional expression Purging as a perceived boundary against binge eating Bulimic behavior feeling like defiance for Stef versus collapse for Sarah The addictive nature of purging How recovery looked for Sarah v Stef We are now on Patreon! Join the private FB group. Connect with the show! Instagram – https://www...
2022-05-2530 minLife After Diets44. But My Inner Critic is so LoudIn this episode, Sarah and Stef discuss the role of the inner critic, and how each host dealt with the evolution of the critic during recovery from binge eating. We'll cover: Sarah's embarrassment of her self critic versus Stef's comfort with her own Binges as a criticism of being "out of control" Identifying as a Critic or not Does your critic speak in first person or in third? Our various "best selves" ebb and flow Do we need support to leave our critic? Practical tools for dealing with our inner critic We are now on Patreon! Support...
2022-05-1840 minLife After Diets41. But Being Tired Makes Me EatThere is a relationship between fatigue, tiredness, and food. In this episode, we discuss: The evolution of Sarah & Stef's fatigue over the years "Fatigue" versus "being tired" Sarah naps! Rest: Splitting attention versus single-focus restoration Connection and purpose to mitigate fatigue Routines, intentions, and structure as coping tools We are now on Patreon! Join the private FB group. Connect with the show! Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterdietspodcast/ Email – lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com Connect with Sarah Dosanjh Website – www.thebingeeatingtherapist.com YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBingeEatingTherapist Sar...
2022-04-2741 minLife After Diets40. A Look Inside Our Eating Disorder Journals!In this episode, Sarah and Stef pull out old journals to read excerpts from their deepest binge eating days. In this vulnerable episode, we share: Stef's entries from college: feeling like the cycle never stop repeating, and themes of loneliness and disconnection Sarah's "Fasting Journal" The difference between Sarah's despair and Stef's inner critic Sarah's experience in OA and ups and downs from one day to the next What we see in the entries now versus what we saw then We are now on Patreon! Join the private FB group. Connect with the show!
2022-04-2040 minLife After Diets39. A Conversation About The F*ck It DietIn this episode, Sarah and Stef review Caroline Dooner's book: The F*ck It Diet. We'll talk about: The book that changed Stef's life The power of the Minnesota Starvation Experiment Caroline's Five Tools The parts of the book most helpful to Stef versus Sarah Orthorexia and "in defense of sugar and carbs" Does food become a "non-issue" after we heal from binge eating? Is all binge eating rooted in restriction? We are now on Patreon! Join the private FB group. Connect with the show! Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterdietspodcast/ Em...
2022-04-1336 min
Life After Diets33. But How Can I Be More Consistent?Do you struggle to be more consistent in your life? Whether its with food, exercise, self-talk, or pretty much anything else in life, what is the story with consistency (or lack of it)? In this episode, Sarah & Stef talk about: What consistency looks like for Sarah & Stef Consistency depends on your context of the day How do you know when to push yourself or not? Example: journaling How consistency is related to self-trust Why might we resist being consistent? The power of the present moment We are now on Patreon! Join the private FB group HERE!
2022-03-0235 min
Life After Diets26. But I Don't Want To See People After Weight GainHave you ever thought: "I've gained weight and now I don't want anyone to see me?" In this episode, Sarah & Stef talk about: Stef & Sarah's family reactions to weight changes How it feels to see ex-partners The opinion of the collective versus the personal How our brains recalibrate weight changes Do you like someone less when their weight changes? The power of appearance based hierarchy systems Seeing people at your own pace Connect with the show! Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterdietspodcast/ Email – lifeafterdietspodcast@gmail.com Connect with Sarah Dosan...
2022-01-1235 min
Life After Diets19. But How Do I Handle Friends and Family? But How Do I Handle My Relatives? As we head into the holiday season, discussions about family dynamics and boundary setting with loved ones is a relevant conversation post-dieting. Do you find it difficult to stay grounded in the presence of family members? Is it harder to stay in a protected headspace? Join the conversation where we talk about: The roles we play with our family members The difference between being "close" and not having boundaries Stef's experience of enmeshed family dynamics vs Sarah's experience of reserved communication dynamics When family intervention feels welcome vs unwelcome Recovery as...
2021-11-2448 min
Life After Diets17. But What About Messages from My Childhood?Are you still influenced by the diet culture messages you received in childhood? Does your family conditioning still impact your beliefs and behaviors about food and eating? In this episode, Sarah and Stef take a look at: Jane Fonda, Nair commercials, and Disney princesses Beliefs about the "ideal feminine" and gender hierarchies, especially in previous generations Sarah's memory of mangoes and Stef's memory of ravioli Sundays When one parent has a troubled relationship with food Happy memories of sweets in childhood do not have to be pathological M...
2021-11-1039 min
Life After Diets15. But Food is My RewardIn this episode, Sarah and Stef discuss the role of rules, comfort, joy, creativity, and boundaries in relation to food-as-reward. We'll take a look at: Food as a pressure-release system at the end of a long day How diet culture has manipulated happy, comfort foods as something we have to earn Sarah & Stef's memories of food as rewards or treats Stef's concept of "joy reservoirs" The interplay of body image and reward What does creativity have to do with this concept? Saying No more often...
2021-10-2740 min
Life After Diets10. But I Eat When I'm BoredDo you find yourself eating when you're bored? In this episode, Sarah & Stef interrogate the feeling of boredom and how it relates to eating urges. We cover things like: What is boredom, really? Why Sarah dislikes terms like "tolerate" and "sit with" when it comes to emotions. What do you DO to cope with an emotion like boredom? Boredom, eating, and watching TV If you eat when you're bored, can you still feel the emotions? Structure as support Do we have to fix it? Connect with the show! Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lif...
2021-09-2230 min
Life After Diets8. But Don't I Need Boundaries with Food?In this episode, Sarah and Stef talk about the difference between food rules and food boundaries. Have you ever felt like you don't want food rules, but you feel lost without some kind of structure? We talk about: The definition of rules vs the definitions of boundaries Why rules feel good at first Stages of setting boundaries When are you ready to set a boundary? Sarah's morning video technique Stef's "go-to" list technique Why can some people follow rules and I can't?
2021-09-0839 minLife After Diets6. But I'm Confused About My HungerIn this episode, Sarah & Stef discuss the different ways hunger can show up and different ways of responding to it. Does it matter if hunger is physical, mental, hormonal, or emotional? How should we handle each kind of hunger? We discuss things like: Should we listen to hunger signals when we're not physically hungry? Why Sarah gets triggered to eat when she's cold Symptoms of hunger Why our brains won't stop thinking about food Why you can last so long without feeling hungry and then feel it all at once Why making "mistakes" are good experiments The difference b...
2021-08-2536 min