Posted by
Megan Brockman on
December 23rd, 202412/23/24 |
How is everyone doing so far? Sam and Megan are here again to check in.
Those who struggle with disordered eating and body image have heightened stress around food, so it’s understandable that at the holidays, these worries increase. From uncertainty over what foods are available, how food from others have been prepared, lack of control over the time of meals, or simply eating around others-it can be easy to let food stress take over. If food stress is interfering with your ability to enjoy the holidays-try to be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to have these concerns, yet our hope is that following these tips can help alleviate some anxiety and guilt, and bring you more peace with eating.
Come Prepared
Talk with the host of the party beforehand to find out what foods will be served. If you are bringing a dish, make sure it’s something that you personally enjoy. Make a plan for yourself or with your dietitian about how to ensure you are meeting your needs in the most manageable way for you.
Set Yourself up for Success
Avoid skipping meals or “saving up” for the holiday feast, as this can lead to overeating and discomfort later. Instead, aim for regular, balanced meals and stay hydrated. Take time for yourself in the morning—whether through a quiet moment or a favorite activity—so you feel centered. Remember, one meal doesn’t determine your worth, and there’s no need to “burn off” anything you eat. Trust that your body knows how to handle the food you give it.
Use Your Supports
If making choices about food in the moment is likely to result in underserving or causing intense anxiety, ask a loved one to portion and bring a plate of food to you. You can also ask your supporters to help keep you accountable by ensuring you are nourishing properly throughout the day. Givethem gentle guidance of what you find helpful.
Turn Your Focus Away From The Food
Yes, food is often a central part of holidays and gatherings; however, there is so much else beyond food as well! Spending time engaging with company, focusing on what the holiday means for you and your family, and forming new memories and traditions help to change your relationship with the holiday and focus on what really matters. Try to remember a time before food and body image thoughts took priority-what did you enjoy about the holiday?
Wherever you may be in your own journey with food and your body, our hope is that you can choose a route of self-compassion this holiday season. Remember that one meal or day of eating does not define you or your recovery. If you encounter a tough moment or engage in old coping strategies- try to be gentle with yourself! Give yourself unconditional permission to move forward with your day and let your values guide you towards experiencing a more meaningful and connected holiday. Make it a goal to prepare for potential challenges, while also giving yourself power to reclaim your relationship with the holidays. And if your accomplishment from the day is just making it through- we’re proud of you.
We hope your holiday is filled with delicious food & drinks, fun company, and lots of love and warmth!
Happy New Year everyone,
Sam & Megan
Posted by
Megan Brockman on
December 9th, 202412/9/24 |
Hello again friends! Sam and Megan here to check in with you. We made it through Thanksgiving, phew. And now we collect ourselves again as we approach Christmas and the New Year and all the holiday parties that come with it. If the holidays are stressful for you, it may be tempting to engage in […]
Posted by
Sam Totsky on
November 27th, 202411/27/24 |
Hello friends! This is Megan writing to you alongside Sam. A psychotherapist and registered dietitian, both with a specialty and passion in eating disorders. This blog is for all of our clients and any of you who might also struggle with disordered eating and poor body image, so often made worse by the holiday season. […]
Posted by
Leah Hovel on
September 14th, 20249/14/24 |
A self-healing journey can be daunting, and when you start on one, it might be tempting to gather all the self-help books you can find for consumption. Don’t get me wrong, a great self help book can be life changing, but sometimes this route can prevent healing work from even getting off the ground; especially […]
Posted by
Sam Totsky on
May 20th, 20245/20/24 |
We have all fallen victim to diet culture, food rules, and fad diet buzzwords like “detox”, “clean eating,” and “metabolism boosting.” Diet culture has infiltrated the media, marketing, and our minds! I am here to tell you, you don’t have to continue down this guilt-ridden path. There is a way to heal your relationship with […]
Posted by
Leah Hovel on
April 9th, 20244/9/24 |
“Oh, you look great! You must have lost weight.” “They really let themselves go, I wonder what happened…” “Wow, you bounced back quickly after that baby! Good for you.” What they really just said was: “I notice your body changes. I’ve noticed it before, I am noticing it now, and I will notice it in […]
Posted by
Leah Hovel on
February 22nd, 20242/22/24 |
As new age spiritualism continues to be on the rise, you may have heard the mysterious term: Shadow Work, and may be curious about what it means to get in touch with your shadows. In the therapeutic space, Shadow Work can be done using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) treatment modality. The beautiful thing about […]
Posted by
Elisa Salvat on
August 3rd, 20238/3/23 |
By now we have all heard of diet culture and body positivity. Most people, through personal experience, understand the negative consequences of the societal pressures to be thin, muscular, or shaped like an hourglass. We feel some hope when we see more variety in body shapes and sizes in pop culture like Lizzo or the […]
Posted by
Leah Hovel on
March 9th, 20233/9/23 |
At seven months pregnant, I have witnessed my body move through many stages of change that are happening without any thought involved. Some good, some not so good. A few nights ago, I was on the couch talking to my partner about some of the intrusive anxious thoughts I was having about the anticipation of […]
Posted by
Leah Hovel on
February 3rd, 20232/3/23 |
As I sit down to write, I can’t help but gaze outside at the gloomy weather. It’s a brutal day of 8 degrees with thick clouds and thick snow underfoot. Some people absolutely love this weather; more time snuggled up next to the fireplace under a warm blanket with those you love. However, this time […]
