145. Increasing Distress Tolerance: The Skill That Makes Weight Loss (and Healthy Habits) Finally Stick

Why do you order pizza, pour a glass of wine, or reach for chocolate or chips when you’re not actually hungry?It may not be about willpower. And it may not even be about food.In this episode, Lisa Oldson, MD explains how distress tolerance, your ability to sit with uncomfortable emotions without immediately trying to escape them, may be the missing link in sustainable weight loss and healthy habit change.Drawing from research in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dr. Oldson walks you through how increasing psychological flexibility can reduce impulsive eating, late-night snacking, emotional eating, and even binge behaviors.You’ll learn:What distress tolerance really is (and what it’s not)Why cravings are often about emotional discomfort, not hungerHow urge surfing works to reduce impulsive eatingA simple 5-minute daily practice to build emotional enduranceHow to use TIP skills to calm your nervous system during intense cravingsWhy delaying a binge by even 5 minutes is meaningful progressWhat real improvement looks like (hint: not perfection)If you feel like you “know what to do” but struggle to actually do it, this episode will help you understand why, and give you practical tools to finally make healthy habits stick.Thanks for listening! If you'd like more support during your SMART weight loss & health focused journey, sign up for our FREE newsletter, or check out our program at: www.SmartWeightLossCoaching.com. We would love to help you reach your happy weight, and transform the way you talk to yourself about your body and the number on the scale. Negative thoughts about yourself don't have to take up so much brain space, and we'd be honored to help you reframe those thoughts. Also…We’d be grateful if you'd follow us and share our podcast with your friends & family. We’re here to help you improve your health, live longer, healthier, and lose weight the SMART way! This episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.The Smart Weight Loss Coaching Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.