Unrestrict-ED

In this episode, Emily and Han discuss how a body in survival mode cannot afford to allocate available energy to much beyond its fundamental needs. This often means that one’s ability to connect, love and tolerate physical affection - be this romantic or not - is often severely compromised and disrupted by undereating.

In this episode, Emily and Han expand on a previous discussion of the sensation of fullness. The key takeaway from this episode is: head directly towards to fear. Though it is undoubtably not going to be a very pleasant sensation to experience, heading into and then tolerating the feeling of fullness is a recovery non-negotiable.

In this weeks episode, Han and Emily discuss removing judgement from food choices. The primary take away from this episode is, as ever, that ACTIONS are essential for unlearning and relearning. All of the understanding and knowledge in the world does not change the irrational fears that crop up whilst in the sympathetic nervous system. Therefore, the focus must be on confronting the fear (the rout...

In this first episode of season 3, Emily and Han dive into the definition of ‘underweight’, so called ‘unicorn syndrome’ and the difference between weight gain and full physical healing. We are so thrilled to be back! Thank you so much for listening to this episode :)

In this episode, Han and Emily discuss how a reliance on fruits and vegetables can be a limitation to physical and mental recovery. The ‘and not or’ concept is possible, but sometimes the shelving option may more appropriate. Thank you for listening to this season of the Unrestricted podcast. We look forward to Season 3 in 2024!

In this episode, Han and Emily discuss navigating the sensation of fullness. The key takeaways are: Fullness must be sat with. The mindset around fullness (and the meaning you are giving it) requires the shift. Mitigating strategies can help you ride the emotions. This feeling will pass.

In this episode, Hannah and Emily discuss anxiety around spending money in recovery. The key takeaway from this episode is that there is a large biological element involved in difficulty spending money. Alleviating malnutrition is route to clearing the brains perception of resource scarcity.

In this episode, Han and Emily discuss preparing for the Christmas period. The main conversations centre around urgency and taking action in The Now.

In this episode Han and Emily discuss how although honouring mental hunger is incredibly important, it is important to be aware that the Eating Disorder has a tendency to take recovery constructs and turn them into restrictive mechanisms. When it is logistically difficult to get the exact item we are craving, it is perfectly appropriate to get something similar (which is energy dense and still rec...

In this episode, Han and Emily discuss markers of full recovery. Using the analogy of a game of wac-a-mol, Emily describes how, in time, no more moles raise their head. Up to this point, it is important to keep consistently ‘whacking’ as the intensity of the game dwindles. Meanwhile, both Han and Emily describe how life begins organically filling the gaps where the ED once was - becoming less seri...

Is this episode, Emily & Han answer a question on the topic of tolerating discomfort. Hopefully providing some practical tips, this episode centres of the idea of compassionately and passionately exploring restful restrictions, whilst ignoring ED backlash as to what is a ‘productive’ activity. Any activity that takes you a step away from your ED is highly productive.

In this episode, Han & Emily answer the question: Why Do I Feel More Hungry After Eating? The key takeaway from this episode is: trust your body’s mental and physical cues. Eating-induced hunger is an assistance to your recovery, rather than something to try to fight.

In this episode, Han and Emily answer the question: ‘How do I not feel guilt when rewiring compulsive movement (10,000 steps) at a “normal” weight? In the episode, the question is separated into 3 parts, with attention paid to: 1) the unavoidable presence of guilt and the necessity to sit with that emotion 2) the requirement to disengage from all ED-OCD activities for physiological AND psychologic...

n this episode, Han and Emily answer the question ‘my dietitian says I should have vegetables with all of my meals, is this right?’. The key takeaways from this week are: - Embrace energy density. - Remove the expectation to micromanage the direction of your cravings as you emerge from deficit, recognising judgement and food morality. - Focus on what is best for BOTH physical AND mental healing. -...

This week, Emily and Han answer the question ‘how do I deal with boredom in recovery?’ The key takeaways are: - Remind yourself it is short term. - Question whether irritation at boredom is associated with resistance to fully engaging in recovery. - Find passive activities that are are accompanied by food. - Allow yourself to enjoy it. We hope you find this episode helpful!

In this episode, Emily & Han discuss the topic of honouring hunger when out at work, school, college or university. The key takeaway points are: - Make the most of occasions that you do have unrestricted access to food - Be recovery-wise with snacks - Communicate your needs to your managers / tutors to ensure appropriate permissions are made - Pack snacks in Tupperware - Ignore ED excuses - Eat an...

In this episode Han and Emily discuss how fear presents itself. Beyond physical signs of being in the sympathetic nervous system, there are a multitude of more subtle ways that fear can show up. In recovery, it’s incredibly important to have awareness of your own fear reactions to enable you to identify what you are most scared of, what you are avoiding and what therefore requires most direct acti...

In this episode Emily & Han discuss some tips to help navigate clothes shopping in recovery. The main takeaways are: Go fuelled. Go supported. Go without expectations. Go well-resourced.

In this episode, Han and Emily discuss how cues to eat go far beyond a stomach rumble. Some of the signs are: - Mental hunger and food preoccupation - Finishing every last crumb - Hyperawareness of food in nearby environment - Feeling threatened when large food shops are brought into the house (due to high potential to eat). - Being drawn to environments with food - Dragging out the eating experie...

In this episode, Emily & Han discuss the question: “I’m Eating 3000kcal But Still Tracking, Is This Ok?”. Emily and Han discuss the risk of overly specific calorie maximums, which limit the possibility for full nutritional rehabilitation with concurrent neural rewiring.

In this episode, Han goes solo, answering the question “I’m eating slightly more. What’s next?” Han mainly discusses how to further provide evidence to your brain that you are in an area of food abundance, rather than one of food scarcity. Han speaks through 10 methods to show this abundance. 1. Genuinely reaching a point of fullness after eating 2. Stopping portion limitation via measuring, weigh...

In this episode, Han and Emily discuss night hunger. When you have been restricting, it is far from a ‘condition’ to worry about. In actuality, it is a simple cue for you to eat more without delay, so that it can reach a point of sensing food abundance. Han and Emily discuss their own experiences with night hunger through different times of their recovery, ultimately providing one key message: The...

In this episode, Han and Emily discuss the question ‘Why Am I So Obsessed With Chocolate Digestives?’. The 3 key takeaway points are: 1) Your body is very, very smart. It knows what you need. 2) How it is perfectly normal to have food phases and highly intense cravings in recovery. 3) Identifying hidden restrictions may be key to alleviating food obsession. We hope you enjoy this episode!

After a few months break, Emily & Han are back for series 2 of the Unrestrict-ED Podcast! In this episode, they discuss navigating buffet-style eating. The 5 key tips to takeaway are: 1) Upon arrival, sweep the area to identify true recovery orientated choices 2) Action abundance, directly confronting disordered rules 3) Practice buffet style eating beforehand, rather than waiting until the event...

In this week’s episode, Emily and Han answer the question: ‘What Does A Recovery Coach Eat For Lunch?’. A key takeaway from this chat should be that the choices Han and Emily make at lunchtime are rooted in simplicity and convenience. Food selection post recovery looks varied, effortlessly supports energy levels and is relatively unconsidered (to the point it can sometimes be quite cobbled togethe...