Fly To Freedom: Healing from an eating disorder

- Orthorexia is an unhealthy obsession with “clean” eating, not a true commitment to health

- Often stems from good intentions but becomes an anxiety-ridden rigid set of food rules

- Causes social isolation, physical issues, mental distress

- Key signs: inflexibility, distress when “rules” broken, avoidance of social situations involving food

- Recovery is challenging but possible with self-compassion, professional support, addressing root issues

- Distinguish by assessing impact on quality of life — does it enhance or diminish?

- We must push back on unrealistic standards rather than internalize them

- Food and exercise are meant to nourish, not punish

Focus on balance, moderation and self-care rather than seeking an impossible perfection. Be patient and celebrate small victories. Prioritise self-acceptance.

Katherine Cimorelli, singer from the popular band Cimorelli, opens up about her powerful journey recovering from an eating disorder. Though she grew up with a healthy relationship with food, things took a turn when she entered the music industry in Los Angeles at 18.  

The immense pressure to look thin coupled with the prevalent “clean eating” culture led Katherine down a decade-long struggle with orthorexia and disordered eating. It wasn’t until 2020, after getting very sick with mono, that she finally had a breakthrough. 

Stumbling upon the concept of intuitive eating while bedridden sparked a revelation in Katherine - she realised the mental anguish she had been putting herself through for years due to extreme dietary restriction. Her new approach to food gave her a liberation she hadn't felt in a long time.

However, when bodily changes from pregnancy later triggered her, Katherine found she needed help. A diagnosis from a dietitian led her to understand she had an eating disorder all along.  

Now, Katherine focuses her recovery on mental wellness practices like prayer, connections with loved ones, and variety in eating/movement. She hopes that by bravely sharing her story, her music and words can encourage anyone still trapped in disordered eating to seek the help and freedom they deserve. There is life waiting beyond the confines of diet culture.

Katherine Cimorelli, singer from the popular band Cimorelli, opens up about her powerful journey recovering from an eating disorder. Though she grew up with a healthy relationship with food, things took a turn when she entered the music industry in Los Angeles at 18.  

The immense pressure to look thin coupled with the prevalent “clean eating” culture led Katherine down a decade-long struggle with orthorexia and disordered eating. It wasn’t until 2020, after getting very sick with mono, that she finally had a breakthrough. 

Stumbling upon the concept of intuitive eating while bedridden sparked a revelation in Katherine - she realised the mental anguish she had been putting herself through for years due to extreme dietary restriction. Her new approach to food gave her a liberation she hadn't felt in a long time.

However, when bodily changes from pregnancy later triggered her, Katherine found she needed help. A diagnosis from a dietitian led her to understand she had an eating disorder all along.  

Now, Katherine focuses her recovery on mental wellness practices like prayer, connections with loved ones, and variety in eating/movement. She hopes that by bravely sharing her story, her music and words can encourage anyone still trapped in disordered eating to seek the help and freedom they deserve. There is life waiting beyond the confines of diet culture.

- The holiday season can be challenging for people recovering from eating disorders.
- With preparation and support, it's possible to navigate the festivities while maintaining recovery.
Strategies for the Holidays
1. Preparation and Planning for Holiday Meals
- Discuss menu ahead of time.
- Identify safe foods. 
- Plan for portion control.
- Bring your own dishes if needed.
- Rehearse responses to questions about your eating.
- Use mental preparation techniques. 
2. Build a Support System
- Identify supportive people who can be allies.
- Establish a distress signal.  
- Schedule check-ins.
- Discuss potential challenges.
- Have an exit strategy.
3. Set Boundaries
- Communicate needs clearly.
- Define limits around food and conversations.  
- Say no to things that make you uncomfortable.
- Create physical boundaries.
- Limit time at events.
4. Use Coping Strategies
- Have a plan and safe foods.
- Focus on connections.
- Practice mindfulness.
- Visualize handling situations calmly.
- Maintain self-care routine. 
- Have professional support lined up.
5. Practice Self-Compassion and Flexibility
- It's okay if things don't go perfectly.
- Adjust expectations as needed.
- Use affirmations.
- Forgive yourself for any setbacks.
6. Debrief after Events
- Reflect in a journal on what went well and what was difficult.
- Identify successes and challenges. 
- Evaluate coping strategies used.
- Discuss with your therapist. 
7. Continue Therapy and Support  
- Maintain regular sessions with your therapist or coach.
- Develop a crisis plan. 
- Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
8. Educate Family Members
- Explain your eating disorder and needs.
- Discuss potential triggers and boundaries.
- Do roleplaying exercises.
- Set realistic expectations.
9. Manage Holiday Triggers
- Identify potential triggers.
- Develop coping plans.
- Limit exposure if needed.
- Prepare responses to difficult questions.
10. Create New Traditions
- Plan activity-based gatherings.
- Start new practices focused on connection.
- Volunteer together.
- Host relaxation or personal growth workshops.
Conclusion
- The holidays can be redefined and made more supportive with preparation and compassion.
- Focus on connections over food.
- Be kind to yourself and others.

Becoming Embodied : How Embodiment Can Support Eating Disorder Recovery

 In this episode, I spoke with Rachel Wilkinson, a trauma-informed practitioner and trainer. We discussed how embodiment and reconnecting to your body can be a powerful tool in eating disorder recovery.

Key Topics Covered:

- Rachel's background in recovery from addiction and eating disorders, and her journey to becoming a therapist and yoga teacher

- Why dissociation and disconnection from the body is common in eating disorders as a coping mechanism for overwhelming stress 

- The importance of embodiment and reconnecting to your body through practices like yoga, mindfulness, and therapeutic movement

- How to cultivate curiosity and be explorative with movement rather than judgemental 

- Welcoming all emotions, even difficult ones like anxiety - they are not 'good' or 'bad'

- The problem with toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing that negates certain feelings

- Rachel's community wellbeing project Create Your Community which aims to make holistic wellbeing accessible 

- The current mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic and importance of community connection

- How to contact Rachel and access support from Create Your Community

Resources:

Create Your Community website: www.createyourcommunity.org.uk 

Contact Rachel: rachel@createyourcommunity.org.uk

Instagram : Raw_yogi

Rachel's journey is a moving story of a woman battling an eating disorder, living a life marked by self-imposed rituals and a yearning for perfection. Her transformation begins upon meeting Julia Trehane, a compassionate recovery coach. With newfound understanding and support, Rachel learns to embrace self-love and acceptance, slowly dismantling the chains of her disorder. This tale is an intimate exploration of her struggles, growth, and ultimate triumph over the demons of self-image.

Self-love is like that warm, cozy hug you give yourself every day. It's about accepting and embracing who you are, flaws and all, because let's face it, nobody's perfect! It's reminding yourself that you are worthy of kindness, compassion, and happiness. Taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally is an act of self-love. So go ahead and indulge in your favorite hobbies, treat yourself to something nice, or simply give yourself a break when you need it. Remember, you're amazing just the way you are, and loving yourself is the key to living a fulfilled and happy life.

I managed to persuade my husband Dave to come back on the podcast this week and we answered some questions sent in by you lovely listeners. 

Thankyou so much for the amazing questions and I hope you enjoy listening to the episode as much as we enjoyed recording it  

Limiting beliefs are like weights that hold us back from reaching our full potential. They are the stories we tell ourselves, often rooted in fear and self-doubt. But here's the thing: we have the power to let them go.

By acknowledging these beliefs and challenging their validity, we can break free from their grip.

Let go of those limiting beliefs and watch yourself soar to new heights.

This is a special episode with one of my incredible clients who has bravely volunteered to be coached on the podcast so that her journey may help others on theirs.

Thank you so much Claire for being such an amazing human 🙏🏼 I’m so proud of you ❤️

Recovering from anorexia can be a challenging journey, especially when it comes to re-establishing a healthy relationship with food.

In this solo podcast, we will explore various aspects of eating in anorexia recovery; addressing common concerns and offering helpful insights.

Remember, you are not alone in this process, and I am here to support you every step of the way.

This week is a very special chat.....with my husband!

We delve deep into the challenging journey of supporting a loved one through anorexia recovery.

Recovering from an eating disorder often affects the people around them; friends and family who play a crucial role in their recovery, but their voices are rarely heard. Those in recovery rarely hear and have an opportunity to understand how their condition affects the people around them.

If you're a spouse or partner navigating the complexities of supporting someone through anorexia recovery, or if you simply want to gain a deeper understanding of this critical aspect of mental health, join us as we uncover our story of love, courage, and resilience that lie at the heart of this episode which is a testament to the power of love in the face of adversity and the strength that emerges from supporting a loved one on the path to healing.

In this episode, I dive deep into the transformative journey of becoming your own best friend and valuing your true worth.

Tune in to this empowering episode unraveling the secrets to becoming your own best friend and valuing your value. Let’s uncover the incredible potential that lies within you and cultivate a deep-rooted sense of self-love and self-appreciation.

Remember, you are deserving of love, kindness, and respect from yourself. Join me on this transformative journey, and let's embark on the path towards embracing your worth and becoming the best friend you've always needed.

Digging into my own personal journey, I look at all the things I have gained in recovery.

In todays episode I am chatting to a lovely guest called Jane about the difficulty in accessing appropriate support for eating disorder recovery. 

This episode is in answer to a question from the lovely Claire about how to deal with the immense guilt when you eat in anorexia recovery.

I decided to do this episode, because I realised that I was holding back from doing something due to fear, and when I realised this, it reminded me that I’d literally spent most of my life living afraid so I’ve decided to do this episode on what that meant for me 

Hope you enjoy it.

In this episode, I talk about the lies we tell ourselves and other people to protect our ED.

We often convince ourselves that our disordered behaviour is for the good of our health.

In this episode I look at the influence of 'wellness culture' and what 'health' actually means.

In this solo episode I delve into where are fears about weight gain originated. 

How did we get these limiting beliefs that we seem to live our life’s by? 

Who do those beliefs actually belong to, are they even ours? 

Enjoy!

Reach out to me on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/juliatrehane/

On my website:

https://juliatrehane.com/

By email:

julia@juliatrehane.com

In this episode I discuss where the eating disorder voice comes from, why its there and helpful tips to reduce the overwhelm.

I hope you enjoy it

This beautiful episode is an interview with the wonderful Laura Bolgiu.

In this episode you can learn all about tapping into your emotional energy and how balancing our masculine and feminine energy can create a huge difference in our lives

Laura is a soul centered psychic medium, trained at the College of Psychic Studies in London.

She is a big fan of nature, rituals and a good laugh.

Her readings focus on the overall emotional energy and what stands in people’s way of achieving their soul calling.

She brings completion and release through her channeled spirit messages of those who passed away.

You can find Laura

@laurabolgiu on Instagram or

lauravbolgiu@gmail.com

This is a very raw and vulnerable share, where I attempt to describe what it actually feels like in your head to have an eating disorder.

Of course, everyone's story is different, but this one's mine.

A deep delve into the world of lies an eating disorder tells us that keep us trapped and living in fear.

In this episode, I speak to the real life lies that you, lovely listeners and Instagram followers, tell me that your ED uses to control you.

I hope you enjoy this episode and resonate with it.

Please share, review and rate it so that I can reach more people.

Welcome to episode 2.

In this episode, I dive into how your eating disorder can convince you that you don't have an eating disorder!

As my very 1st podcast, it seemed to make sense to start right at the beginning of how and why I've done this: My own journey.

I hope that by describing how I think my ED started, how I lived my life around it for over 40 years and, ultimately, how I've got to the stage of recovery that I am now, I can inspire others to take the leap and seek help.