198. But What Is a Craving, Anyway? (we're still debating it)
Life After Diets
In this live-streamed episode, Stef and Sarah explore the nuanced world of cravings — what drives them, how they differ from binge or overeating urges, and why they’re often more complicated than they seem. They discuss the physiological and emotional undercurrents behind cravings, from hormonal shifts to nervous system dysregulation, weaving in personal experiences — including Stef’s two most memorable pregnancy cravings. The conversation unpacks how cravings show up differently for restrictors versus permitters, how appetite and craving aren't always the same thing, and what it...
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197. But My Body Image Is All Over the Place
Life After Diets
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'—those visceral reactions to body image triggers—and share some...
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196. But I Can't Forgive Myself for My Unhealthy Behaviors
Life After Diets
In 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...
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195. But Everyone is Losing Weight on Weight Loss Drugs -- and Frankly I'm Struggling
Life After Diets
The 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 reasons...
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194. But I Can't Diet (and I'm Mad/Sad About It!) - Part Two
Life After Diets
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 able to diet, describing a conflict between what she...
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193. But Now I Can't Diet Even if I Want To!
Life After Diets
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...
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192. Health Anxiety Or Health Concern?
Life After Diets
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....
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191. The Father Wound
Life After Diets
In 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...
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190. Melissa Guest
Life After Diets
In 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....
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189. But is Food Freedom Eating Whatever I Want?
Life After Diets
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...
info_outlineIn 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'—those visceral reactions to body image triggers—and share some strategies for managing them when they hit. They also highlight the confusing mix of emotions when weight changes feel different depending on the context.
Sarah shares an amusing anecdote about feeling self-conscious in a string bikini.
Stef touches on her past struggle with 'reverse body dysmorphia,' where she clung to an outdated image of her younger self.
They wrap up with some thoughts on how seasons influence our body image and the power of gradual exposure.
Overall, this episode is a mix of raw honesty, empathy, and practical tips for anyone navigating the ever-changing landscape of body image.
Join our 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 recordings (online), monthly Zoom support meetings, a private Facebook group and member-only Q&A episodes. For more information go to: https://www.patreon.com/lifeafterdiets
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Email – [email protected]
Connect with Stefanie Michele, Recovery Coach, Somatic Therapist IT
Website – www.iamstefaniemichele.com
Instagram – www.instagram.com/iamstefaniemichele
Connect with Sarah Dosanjh, Author & Psychotherapist
Website – www.thebingeeatingtherapist.com
Instagram – www.instagram.com/the_binge_eating_therapist
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBingeEatingTherapist
Sarah’s book I Can’t Stop Eating is available on Amazon
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