Recovery Talk

Why do so many people with eating disorders go vegan, and is veganism inherently disordered? In this episode I talk about veganism and eating disorders; why it can be a tempting choice, and important questions to ask yourself if you are considering this path. I also answer a question about recovery fatigue.

Why are people with eating disorders so scared of liquid calories, and why is this important to challenge? In this episode I touch upon liquid calories, and how it ties into 'food perfectionism' and a scarcity mindset around calories. I also answer a listener question on how to quit calorie counting.

In today's episode I explain why you may still be experiencing extreme hunger, despite being at a "normal" BMI, eating a "normal" amount of having been in recovery for X amount of months. I also answer a listener question on how to open up and receive support from a partner (along with a Covid PSA from your very hoarse host).

Recovery can feel discouraging sometimes - why do things have to get worse before they get better, and is it even worth the suffering? In this episode I get a bit more personal and vulnerable, and talk about my own recovery experience and where it has brought me. I hope this can offer some hope.

This week I am joined by Dr. Miriam Sanchez (@miriamsanchez.tcacoach @recoveredtobe) to discuss eating disorder recovery, working with people with eating disorders when you have lived experience with an ED, and common misconceptions/challenges within the health care system.

Today I am joined by Jason Wood (@orthorexiabites) to discuss eating disorders in men, and Orthorexia. We talk about how eating disorders are often overlooked and dismissed in men, and his important advocacy looking to change this. We also talk about how Orthorexia can be a more difficult-to-spot eating disorder, and oftentimes even encouraged by society.

In this episode I am joined by Tanya (@tanyathedesigner), a London-based UX designer specialised in ethical design, to discuss the complicated ethics of social media and vulnerable groups, such as those with eating disorders. We discuss My Fitness Pal, the 'infinite scroll', and wether or not companies have a responsibility to design with so-called 'abusers' in minds. For more, check out Tanya's p...

In this episode I explain the concept of water retention in recovery from an eating disorder - what it is, why it happens, how to tell you experience it and how not to freak out.

In this episode I explain The Unicorn Syndrome, and why you are not a unicorn (but a regular horse instead). I touch upon common Unicorn Syndrome manifestations, and why this phenomena happens in the first place. Additionally, I talk about eating disorders and complex co-morbidities. 

What does it mean when you miss the eating disorder? In today's episode I talk about a common but taboo topic; missing being sick, and romanticising having an eating disorder (both by yourself and by society at large). The aim of the episode is to offer some perspective and reality checks, and provide some helpful tasks to do when the nostalgia hits.

In this episode I am introducing you to Ancel Keys' Minnesota Starvation Study, a study that completely revolutionised how I view and approach eating disorders, and changed the trajectory in my own recovery many years ago. 

Does an eating disorder permanently damage metabolism? How do you speed things up? In this episode I explain the basics of human metabolism and how it adapts to restriction - and adjusts to recovery. 

What is a set point weight, and how does one know they're there? What happens if you gain below or above it? And if BMI is BS, why do underweight recoverers need to push up their weight? These are just some of the things I answer in this week's episode on setpoint weight, BMI and weight restoration.

January and the New Year's period is high season for diet culture BS, and can be quite triggering from those attempting recovery from an ED. In this episode I try to offer some helpful reminders and perspectives for how to handle it.

What is self care, and how can you apply it to your everyday life and recovery? In today's episode I talk about how self-care looks different from everyone, steps to take when caring for yourself is difficult and what plants (and The Sims) can teach us about taking care of ourselves.

Christmas can be a difficult time for people with eating disorders. In this episode, I attempt to offer some comfort and practical advice on how to make this time of the year more manageable - or even pleasant.

Is it true that if you've had an eating disorder, you can never fully recover? Will the ED always be there in the background, like a ticking bomb waiting to go off? Today I talk about why I do believe full recovery is possible, coping with vulnerabilities towards relapse, and why sometimes, our vulnerabilities can be strengths (and our suffering can have lessons).

How come some therapists are not aware of certain very basic aspects of recovery, such as extreme hunger, set point weight and metabolism? Are they all just "incompetent"?! Not quite! In this episode I talk about why some therapists lack certain knowledge, and the different psychological trainings and approaches towards eating disorders, hoping to answer the question of WHY your therapist did not...

This is a bonus episode where I talk about coaching and working with me, as many have requested more information about this!. If you have any further questions or requests, send me an email at contact@letsrecover.co.uk (check junk inbox if no response) or see letsrecover.co.uk/coaching

What do you do when you are not hungry in recovery? How do you handle eating beyond the point of fullness? Does not feeling hungry mean you don't really need the food? Today I answer these common questions, and more related to lack of hunger and/or appetite in eating disorders (and recovery from them).

What is extreme hunger in recovery, and how do you handle it? In this week's episode I talk about one of my favorite topics, extreme hunger, or reactive hunger (as I call it). I touch upon the psychology and biology behind why you feel so ravenous, the fear of going "from one eating disorder, how to tackle the hunger hands-on, and what treatment professionals often get wrong about this very common...

How do I know if I'm fully recovered? What does recovery feel like? Is it even possible? These are some of the questions I'm answering in this week's episode. I dig into what full recovery feels like as a recovered person, and also some signs you're heading in the right direction.

Today we talk about comparison in eating disorder recovery, and the importance of keeping your eyes on your own plate. I explain the difference between comparison and inspiration, how to handle comparing yourself to others, and why what others do at the end of the day don't matter at all.

Today we talk about why challenging fear foods in recovery is absolutely crucial, and how the fear is not always about the specific foods, but also about amounts and/or context. I also give listeners a recovery task I usually give to clients on how to challenge fear foods structurally and consistently.

Should I exercise in recovery? What counts as exercise? Why do I feel such intense urges to move, and how do I handle rest? These are some of the questions I answer in today's episode, where I touch upon the biology and psychology of exercise and eating disorders.