Cravings, Emotionally Flexibility, and Your Goals with Josh Hillis

In today’s episode, Josh Hillis, a specialist in emotional eating and behavior change, joins us to discuss how a flexible, acceptance-based, skills-based approach encourages people to make eating choices that align with their values and to work with, rather than against, cravings and emotions. Josh helps us define our “values” around food and eating, and how they play into how we feel and behave.Throughout our conversation, Josh shares practical ways to address emotional eating, emphasizing the value of acceptance. By working on skills, we can learn to make thoughtful choices even in the face of strong urges, and live a life where enjoyment and our goals coexist.“If I’m willing to accept that I’m always gonna wanna have twelve cookies, then I can have two cookies and stop.”- Josh Hillis“Emotions prepare us for an action, but they don’t force us to. We still get to choose.”- Josh HillisThis week on Here’s the Deal:Josh’s journey led him from fitness coaching to a psychology-based, skill-focused approachEmbracing cravings and emotions as normal, and learning to align choices with valuesDefining our values around food and eatingThe power of curiosity over judgment to build emotional flexibilityPractical steps to detach from our emotions and accept themThe value of rituals, like an afternoon snack, in creating personalized food choicesLetting go of strict deadlines and fostering healthier, long-term habitsUsing a simple 10-minute pause to help understand and manage emotional triggersConnect with Josh Hillis:Josh Hillis on InstagramJosh Hillis WebsiteEating Skills Class: Three Foundational SkillsFat Loss Happens on a Monday BookLean and Strong BookThanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck, where we challenge the common understanding of what it means and what it takes to be fit and healthy! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.Apple Podcasts | SpotifyBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and tag us!Join Iris Deadlifts on Instagram, Meri on Instagram, and Amy Rudolph on Instagram.