Practical tips and advice for eating disorder recovery. Brought to you by someone recovering from Anorexia, and can understand what you're going through.
Explanation & Practical Tips… I used to feel triggered/ competitive/ upset by other anorexic people, and it made my recovery (and life) harder. In today’s episode I share how I overcame this!
Overview:
Tips for being triggered by anorexic people in public/ strangers.
Tips for dealing with your friends who have eating disorders.
An explanation to people who have never struggled with an ED- helping you understand the anorexic thoughts…
Thank you for listening! I hope you found the episode helpful. If you enjoyed, please rate the podcast or leave a review. I appreciate them so much as they help me reach more listeners!
Links:
Etsy shop: RealRecoveryUK Website: www.realrecovery.co.uk Instagram: @realrecoveryuk Podcast Instagram: @realrecoverypodcast
Recently classed as RECOVERED from Anorexia, Izee shares her advice + lived experience with mental illness in our open & vulnerable chat. We covered these topics...
About Izee:
Izee shares her lived experience with mental illness on her Instagram platform to spread awareness, fight stigma, and provide a safe space for others online. She posts uplifting content about body acceptance and self care, while also being open about the realities of depression, complex PTSD, Self-Harm, and EDs.
I invited Izee onto the podcast because I believe her content is a rare example of a positive (but realistic) influence in the recovery community online. Thank you again to Izee for joining me!
Here is a link to the SH information resource mentioned in the episode:
https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/topics/self-harm/what-is-self-harm
Thank you for listening!
Links:
Neuroscience explained + tips for coping with body changes... Today's episode is an interesting one! If you experience strong feelings of disgust (among other negative emotions) when weight-restoring in anorexia recovery, you are not alone! There is nothing wrong with your body- hopefully the episode can point that out by highlighting the biological mechanisms of how body-image & disgust can relate.
Overview : Tip 1: Focus on self-care, hygiene, and other aspects of your appearance. Neuroscience: interoception, body mapping, fear response, & the power of time. Tip 2: Decrease disgust by changing the mental image of your body. Tip 3: Use thought- blocking to prevent negative spirals. Thank you for listening! Links
Etsy shop: RealRecoveryUK
Website: www.realrecovery.co.uk Instagram: @realrecoveryuk Podcast Instagram: @realrecoverypodcast Substack: recent article (anxiety tools & research)
We covered some of the most DIFFICULT parts of eating disorder recovery (see below)… Victoria recovered from 20+ years of EDs & body-hate. She now coaches other people to fully heal (no quasi recovery bs).
Hearing her speak will give you valuable guidance, practical tips, and a view into the world of confidence, self-love, and true food freedom.
Topics we covered (in order):
For more support from Victoria…
Victoria's Contact/ Socials:
Thank you so much for listening!
Links:
Etsy shop: RealRecoveryUK
Website: www.realrecovery.co.uk
How to handle routine changes, overwhelm, hot weather, unpredictability…
Overview:
Eating disorders can increase rigid thinking, anxiety, overwhelm. They can make us less able to tolerate discomfort and all the chaos that can come with travel.
People with Anorexia are also more likely to have co-occurring conditions such as OCD, Autism, and Anxiety Disorders. This can add to the overall stress of travel and may mean you need extra planning & reassurance. So I hope this episode provides that!
Don’t forget to check out parts 1 & 2 of this summer mini-series!
Links:
Pressure to diet, look good in photos, have a buzzing social life… How to deal with triggers, access relief & self- compassion, and overcome insecurities this summer.
Overview:
Don’t forget to check out parts 1 & 3 of this summer mini-series!
Links:
Practical advice for coping with body-image this summer (including a journaling exercise walk-through!) Overview:
Don’t forget to check out parts 2 & 3 of this summer mini-series!
Links:
8 Evidence- based coping skills... what to do when 'have a bath' doesn't work?? How to prevent panic attacks??? This episode discusses some of the most effective techniques I have discovered for QUICKLY lowering anxiety levels. These tips have been helping me successfully prevent panic attacks (for over a year!) and have made my difficult days with OCD/ Anxiety easier to cope with. I hope they can help you too! Overview
I give a brief summary of my experience & history of anxiety/ panic attacks. I share the 8 techniques & delve into the scientific mechanisms at play for each.* At the end of the episode, I give a mini update on my recovery/ where I have been.
This episode is not medical advice, and should just be treated as interesting information rather than instruction for the individual!
The Podcast episode by Huberman Lab that I referenced: Podcast: Huberman Lab, episode 10. Master Stress: Tools for Managing Stress & Anxiety. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110?i=1000512053623
Thank you for listening! & Thank to everyone who is being patient with email responses and DM replies (I have also been having tech issues which i think i forgot to mention!), and to anyone who has kindly reached out during my inactivity on Instagram- I am excited to come back soon and interact with you guys again! Lots of love Etsy Shop Instagram - @realrecoveryuk @realrecoverypodcast Substack -https://realrecoveryuk.substack.com/p/anxiety-toolkit-how-to-calm-down
How to MOVE FORWARDS? How to step out of your comfort zone without getting overwhelmed?
Overview of the tips I share…
Unlike pt. 1 &2 of this 'identity series', in today's episode I share the things I am CURRENTLY doing to propel me forwards into being fully recovered.
I have collected a list of ideas that have been impactful for me, and, more importantly, things that have helped the FULLY RECOVERED individuals with whom I have spoken. I hope you have found this mini series helpful!
Thanks so much for listening!
If you find the Real Recovery Podcast helpful, please rate & review because it helps more people find it!
Let me throw a bunch of tips at you... In today's episode, I share how (and why) I accessed my 'Recovery Identity'. Identifying as 'a person in recovery' was a great short term solution for me. It enabled me to take positive action and reduce guilt & shame. I hope this episode helps you!
Part 2/3 of my 'identity' mini series...
Thanks so much for listening!
If you find the Real Recovery Podcast helpful, please rate & review because it helps more people find it!
Instagram: @realrecoveryuk and @realrecoverypodcast
Website: www.realrecovery.co.uk
Email: contact@realrecovery.co.uk
Etsy: RealRecoveryUK
Identifying as 'anorexic' makes all aspects of recovery feel WRONG and BAD. Gaining weight, eating more food, eating fear foods, grappling with hunger cues etc...; all of this is NECESSARY, yet can cause immense guilt and shame because it clashes with our self-perception. It can make us feel like we are 'failing' at starvation (for example), but that feeling is only there because your 'anorexic' sense of self has been in control. It's time to change that...In today's episode I share my best tips for weakening the anorexic identity. I hope it helps!Part 1/3 of my 'identity' mini series...Thanks so much for listening! If you find the Real Recovery Podcast helpful, please rate & review because it helps more people find it! Instagram: @realrecoveryuk and @realrecoverypodcast Website: www.realrecovery.co.uk Email: contact@realrecovery.co.uk Etsy: RealRecoveryUKaccompanying blog article: https://realrecovery.co.uk/blog-articles/f/how-to-ditch-the-anorexic-identity
7 practical & effective strategies for improving body image....In today's episode I share how I managed to do a complete 180...I always struggled with body insecurities, and this turned into terrible self-hatred & punishment of my body during the worst of my anorexia. Now, I rarely experience 'bad body image days', and when I do, it doesn't have the same emotional toll. It doesn't consume my day or impact my sense of self worth. It's a great place to be, and its possible for you too! You do no need to settle for a life of body-hate. Recovery and weight gain can be hard in so many ways- body image is just one of them. Eating disorders are more complex than body-fixations or insecurities. The extreme nature of body image struggles in ed recovery are often manifestations of other emotions driven by the disorder. But I hope this episode gives you some practical tips for improving your self-image & confidence! Overview... intro & my experience w body image struggles tip 1: viewing bad body image as a symptom & regulating emotions tip 2: thought-blocking tip 3: building self-respect & trust tip 4: stop body-checking tip 5: 'fake it till you make it' tip 6: self-talk is key tip 7: take away discomfort & enhance other elements of your appearance sharing your tips! outro Thanks so much for listening! If you find the Real Recovery Podcast helpful, please rate & review because it helps more people find it xxSocials:Instagram: @realrecoveryuk and @realrecoverypodcastWebsite: www.realrecovery.co.ukEmail: contact@realrecovery.co.ukEtsy: RealRecoveryUK
Qualified therapist Scarlett O’Connor recovered from 25 YEARS of severe eating disorders. Now she devotes her life to helping others do the same. In today's episode we shed light on binging, purging, and ED behaviours that are not spoken about. Scarlet shares details of her first steps into recovery almost 10 years ago including...how she battled excruciating binge/purge urges, the terrifying sensation of food in the stomach, and what it felt like to experience emotions after decades of suppression. & SO MUCH MORE!
Scarlett answers a listener question at the end so stay tuned...
Overview of the questions I asked....
You can find Scarlett here...https://scarlettoconnor.coach/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090001192996
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scarlett-o%E2%80%99connor-53ba3a265
Please rate, review, and share this episode if you found it helpful, as it will help me reach more people! Thank you so much for listening.
You can message me, request a topic for a future episode or ask questions here....
7 strategies to deal with the 'upper limit' problem surrounding calories, weight, exercise & more. If you find it impossible to restore weight past a certain number, increase your intake above a certain number of calories, or overcome obsessive step counting, this episode is for you!
Limiting yourself to 'safe' numbers can hold you back in recovery from anorexia. Sticking to minimums will keep you trapped! Clinging to disordered (and arbitrary) numbers surrounding weight, food, and exercise will keep you suffering. In today's episode I share how I managed to overcome this type of perfectionism and rigidity.
Overview...
For the first 20 mins (roughly) i talk about:
The rest of the episode i present the 7 methods for overcoming this mental barrier surrounding numbers...
Do you compare yourself to other people with Anorexia? In today's episode, I address one of the MOST COMMON questions I get asked...'How do I stop being triggered by other people? How do I stop comparing myself????'...
Comparison is a natural human instinct, but when it comes to eating disorders, it can fuel toxic competition, invalidation, and lead to people delaying recovery due to them 'not feeling sick enough'. But you can overcome this kind of thinking!
I discuss the 3 main points of problematic comparison* that get brought up most by you guys; and then, of course, I give SOLUTIONS and ways to reframe each negative, invalidating thought.
Not everyone with an ED will relate to this episode and that's okay! this is for the people who DO struggle with this particular type of comparison and want to overcome it.
Thanks so much for listening! If you find the Real Recovery Podcast helpful, please rate & review because it helps more people find it xx
If you want to read my blog article about this episode (Comparison & Competition within Anorexia Nervosa. How to stop?), click the link.
Socials:
Instagram: @realrecoveryuk and @realrecoverypodcast
Website: www.realrecovery.co.uk
Email: contact@realrecovery.co.uk
Etsy: RealRecoveryUK
A practical guide for 'letting go' of your eating disorder.
In today's episode I take you through how I managed to let go of Anorexia's rules and allow myself to move forward in recovery.
overview:
I breakdown of 6 my personal reasons why I 'needed' my ED to cope.
I share the alternative strategies I discovered to meet each need, therefore, aiding me in 'letting go'.
This episode focuses on the role eating disorders play in 'helping' a person COPE and meet their EMOTIONAL NEEDS. I revisit one of the most important journaling exercises that I used during early recovery, where I unpacked the reasons why I felt I 'needed' my eating disorder. After doing this, I was able to find alternative methods of coping, meaning I was finally able to release a certain part of my ED. This made my life a lot easier. I share all this & more in the episode. I hope you find it helpful or interesting.
As always, please take this as a friendly chat, rather than medical advice. Thanks to everyone who listened!
Rate & review to help this podcast get noticed by the algorithms xxx
Send me any questions, episode requests, comments, etc..
lots of love xx
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'I've gained weight but I dont feel better mentally. What do I do???'... I get asked this question so often! You are not alone if you are struggling with this in recovery from anorexia, or any eating disorder that involves weight restoration.
In today's episode I take you through WHY this can happen, and give you ACTION STEPS to take to help you get unstuck.
This experience is emotionally difficult and can cause extra feelings of invladiation and guilt. It can also cause your fear of weight gain to increase, and your motivation to recover to decrease. Which is horrible! So i hope this episode helps you take a different perspective, and gives you some tools to deal with this particular issue in ED recovery.
If you want to send me a message, ask a question, or request a topic for the next episode, feel free to email me or DM me. Links below...
Listen until the middle/ end for the best tips! (I start this episode with the more obvious/ basic tips for improving your mood.)
Today's episode is about how to cope with low mood in eating disorder recovery. I really enjoyed talking about this topic and sharing how I successfully help my mood day-to-day. This episode is NOT targeting people with clinical depression (although some tips may be relevant). I go into this more in the episode as there is a difference between depressive disorders and low mood, and I do not want to invalidate anybody.
A summary of my tips for coping with low mood….
Thank you for listening! If you want to help more people to find this podcast, please rate & review it.
For recovery resources (worksheets etc…) check my Etsy; RealRecoveryUK
Find me on Instagram @realrecoveryuk
Okay but hear me out...
In this episode I discuss my thoughts about TikTok and the effect it can have on people with eating disorders. I cover...
I hope you find this episode interesting! I would love to know your thoughts about this topic too.
You can find me on Instagram @realrecoveryuk
LISTEN UNTIL THE END for the best piece of advice!!
In today's episode I offer 8 of my best practical tips for managing guilt in eating disorder recovery. This episode could help you if you struggle with negative emotions (guilt & shame) after eating certain foods, resting, or gaining weight.
Thanks for listening!
Instagram= @realrecoveryuk
In today's episode, I tell you how to ACTUALLY cope with weight gain in ED recovery. I wish I knew these things during my own weight-restoration journey!
I give practical tips and solutions for these emotions surrounding weight gain...
Disclaimer - Not everyone with Anorexia becomes underweight because it is a mental illness primarily. There are also people who are currently underweight for their body - but perhaps not according to BMI. This episode should help you guys too, because you still need to weight restore.
Find me on Etsy (helpful resources) and Instagram (info posts & interact with me)
Etsy = @RealRecoveryUK
Instagram = @realrecoveryuk
Thank you for listening!
In today's episode, I give practical tips & advice for how to handle the difficulties of New Years in ED recovery. I cover…
If you enjoyed this episode please rate & review as it helps more people find the podcast!
If you want to request a topic for a future episode please message me on Instagram.
@realrecoveryuk
link to ‘The Body Love Binge’ Podcast (mentioned in the episode).
In this episode, I talk about every difficulty you may encounter around Christmas if you suffer from an ED. I give practical tips and reminders to make this time of year easier.
Topics I discuss...
The tips I give could also apply to other seasonal holidays where food plays a big role.
Happy holidays to those of you not celebrating Christmas!
Etsy @RealRecoveryUK
Instagram @realrecoveryuk
In today's episode, I talk about the ways in which journalling is the most helpful tool in my ED recovery.I take you through... how to start journaling my experience & why I find it so helpful to combat anorexia #1 - journalling exercise for anxiety. #2- journalling exercise for rewiring irrational ed thoughts and guilt. #3- journalling exercise for when you have just been triggered (eg. unhelpful comments, comparison, diet talk, etc.) other journal prompts/ tips for ed recovery. (values, upcoming stressors, goodbye letters, self-validation).Thank you so much for listening! Please send any episode requests to me on Instagram- I love to hear what you guys want.If you have time, please rate & review this podcast as it helps me reach more people.Find me on Instagram @realrecoveryukand Etsy @RealRecoveryUK
In today's episode, I talk about rapid weight gain at the beginning of recovery/ refeeding. It's a common thing that can happen, however, it's not talked about enough. I talk you through the scientific reasons why this may happen and provide some tips to help manage emotionally. I am not a medical professional/ expert, however, I did experience rapid weight gain during the very start of my own recovery. I hope this episode helps!
If you want to request a topic for the next episode, please message me via Instagram
@realrecoveryuk
Check out my Etsy for worksheets, self-help cards, stickers, and more..
@RealRecoveryUK
This episode takes you through the 9 step process I use to challange my fear foods in Anorexia recovery. This episode is not medical advice, however I hope it helps some people out there!
An overview of my 9 tips:
Please note, there is mention of a triggering topic in the last couple of minutes of this episode. This segment is after all the main tips so feel free to click off before this is mentioned. I do give a specific trigger warning directly before speaking about this topic, so dont worry.
Please find me on Instagram and Etsy
@realrecoveryuk
In this episode I talk about two of the most poisonous ED thoughts; 'What if I'm not sick enough?', and 'What if I'm faking my ED'. I share my thoughts and experiences during Anorexia recovery and give you some PRACTICAL tips on how to overcome this issue. This episode will apply to you at any stage of recovery if you are feeling these things. Feel free to message me on Instagram and ask questions, share your opinions, or request a topic for the next episode.
Timestamps
Check out my Etsy for more recovery help and resources!
@RealRecoveryUK
Contact me on Instagram
@realrecoveryuk