One of the biggest fears when increasing your food intake is: “What if I just keep gaining weight forever?”In this episode, we unpack metabolic adaptation, how restriction and low energy availability can impact your metabolism, and what can happen as you begin adequately fuelling your body again.I also share my own experience of gaining weight during eating disorder recovery, why my weight once plateaued on very little food, and how I now need significantly more energy to fuel a healthy, active body.We also chat about why weight stability doesn’t necessarily mean you’re well fuelled, RED-S symptoms to look out for, and why your body’s functioning can tell us far more than the number on the scale.

In this episode, I’m chatting through some of the biggest mindset shifts and reframes that helped me throughout my eating disorder recovery — from acting despite fear, to trusting my body, letting go of food rules and learning to see the bigger picture. 🤍

In this episode, we unpack the pros and cons of calorie tracking, discuss when it may support recovery, when it may hinder healing, and how to decide whether it's helping or hurting your relationship with food.

Should you go cold turkey or take baby steps in eating disorder recovery? In this episode, I discuss the difference between gradual recovery and the "all in" approach, when each may be helpful, and how to make progress without getting stuck in perfectionism.

The fear of weight gain is one of the biggest barriers to eating disorder recovery. In this episode, we explore why body change feels so terrifying, the conflict of wanting recovery while fearing weight gain, and how to move toward healing with compassion and hope.

Anorexia nervosa, eating disorder recovery, hyperactivity and the Adapted to Flee Famine hypothesis—could some symptoms of anorexia have an evolutionary explanation?In this episode, I explore the Adapted to Flee Famine hypothesis—an evolutionary theory that offers a different perspective on some of the most distinctive symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa. Rather than viewing anorexia solely through a psychological lens, this evolutionary hypothesis suggests that symptoms such as food restriction, hyperactivity, compulsive exercise, reduced hunger, and denial of starvation may reflect ancient survival mechanisms that were once adaptive during periods of famine.Details of the journal article: Guisinger, Shan. “Adapted to flee famine: adding an evolutionary perspective on anorexia nervosa.” Psychological review vol. 110,4 (2003): 745-61. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.110.4.745

In this episode, I chat about why rest can feel so uncomfortable, especially if you're an athlete, active person, or recovering from an eating disorder. We unpack the fear of losing fitness, weight gain, guilt, and the mindset shifts that have helped me learn to trust my body, embrace rest, and recognise that taking time off isn't a setback—it's often what allows you to move forward.

If I had to recover from an eating disorder and hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) all over again, what would I do differently?In this episode, I'm reflecting on my own recovery journey and sharing the things I would approach differently knowing what I know now—not only from lived experience, but also as an Accredited Practising Dietitian working with people recovering from eating disorders, RED-S and HA.

Can you recover your period while continuing to exercise?This is one of the most common questions I receive from athletes and active women navigating hypothalamic amenorrhoea (HA) recovery. In this episode, I'm answering your questions about exercise, energy availability, weight gain, performance and period recovery.We discuss:Why athletes are at increased risk of HA and RED-SWhy HA occurs and what your body is trying to communicateThe importance of restoring energy availabilityWhy being at a healthy weight for your body mattersMy personal experience recovering from HA while continuing to trainWhether exercise causes overshoot weight gainFear of eating more and gaining weight as an athleteConcerns about losing fitness during recoveryHow to move safely without threatening recoveryWhether you can continue exercising and still regain your periodAs always, recovery is highly individual, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. My goal is to help you better understand the principles behind HA recovery so you can make informed decisions that support both your health and performance.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with someone who may find it helpful.

You are not your eating disorder.In this episode, I explore the concept of externalising the eating disorder and why learning to separate yourself from the illness can be such a powerful recovery tool.We discuss the difference between your healthy self and eating disorder self, why intelligent people can still believe irrational eating disorder thoughts, and how strengthening your healthy voice can help you make decisions that align with your true values rather than the illness.Topics discussed:What it means to externalise the eating disorderHealthy self vs eating disorder selfEgosyntonic and egodystonic aspects of eating disordersWhy recovery can feel like an internal battleHow externalising can reduce shame and self-blameStrengthening the healthy voice and reconnecting with your valuesI hope this episode helps you see that the eating disorder is something you experience—not who you are. 🤍