Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?

Can you recognize the signs of human trafficking? Deena’s special guest is a dedicated nurse practitioner who breaks down trafficking’s profound impact on mental health.  In this episode, discover the multifaceted signs of human trafficking, common misconceptions surrounding trafficking, and the power of making sure others are okay.    In this episode, you also hear: How trafficking overlaps with eating disorders and addiction Identifying vulnerable populations and recognizing signs of trafficking  Trauma-informed care and creating space for survivor stories    Must-listen moments:  [00:03:45] But there are so many parallels when it comes to mental health, when it comes to suicide, PTSD…88% of survivors of trafficking, in some studies, report depression, report shame and guilt, which you talk a lot about. That shame and guilt of whatever addiction or whatever that thing is—almost 90% of victims of trafficking reported when they're coming out of that life or being rescued.  [00:10:28] But the truth is, anybody can be trafficked. Anybody can be trafficked. We all have vulnerabilities about our personalities. We all have vulnerabilities about who we are, any of us could have something happen to us where we would rely or could be tricked or coerced by somebody or groomed by somebody, and that not end up being the situation we thought it was going to be.  [00:23:56] And sometimes you're not gonna know all the questions to ask, and it may be really complex and you're like this is a lot, I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do. And I think a lot of times you just come back to it and approach somebody and just say, hey, are you okay? And that can really speak volumes because somebody realizes that you saw them and being seen can mean a whole lot just in that simple sentence.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?   Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services. 

Eating disorders can create a significant financial burden when insurance doesn’t cover treatment, resulting in difficulties in finding specialized providers and high out-of-pocket costs. In this episode, Deena sheds light on the price tag of her treatment, resources for financial support, and the need for better education about eating disorders within the insurance industry.    In this episode, you also hear: Issues with insurance policies and coverage  Details about Project HEAL and the Manna Fund Finding the beauty in living instead of existing    Must-listen moments:  [00:04:36] The bottom line is that insurance is still not inclusive enough to completely cover or understand the needs of people with eating disorders.  [00:10:28] There has to be a change because there's too many families out there that can't afford treatment.   [00:14:55] Reaching out for help is a brave step forward and without treatment, eating disorders can feel like a prison of fear and self-doubt.   Mentioned in this Episode: Project Heal - https://www.theprojectheal.org/ Manna Fund - https://mannafund.org/   Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?   Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services. 

Eating disorders can completely upend your life, resulting in an uphill battle to establish a sense of normalcy and control.    In this episode, Deena walks us through her toughest days of living with depression alongside an eating disorder, and addresses listener questions about her treatment and ongoing healing journey.  In this episode, you also hear:  Managing guilt and multiple eating disorders  Balancing mental health and treatment   Challenges of body dysmorphia and being in recovery      Must-listen moments:   [00:08:32] No, I will never be cured. I will be in recovery is what I'm going to be.   [00:13:37] It's not a magic pill, and so, yes, I do continue to take it and I will always need it, because something in my brain doesn't make a certain chemical to keep me level-headed and so I'm going to always need some type of antidepressant to do that. And it's made a huge impact in my life.   [00:17:52] I compare myself to other people constantly. I think that's where communication comes in and having a sponsor, having someone that you can trust to speak to. I think they're normal feelings to have because I still have them after all these years.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.     Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?    Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services.    

For those struggling with an eating disorder, the idea of changing eating habits can be paralyzing, often hindering the pursuit for help.      In this episode, Deena credits treatment for transforming her perspective on food, body image, and exercise. She emphasizes the importance of small steps and encourages others on their recovery journey to remember support is available.  In this episode, you also hear:  Reframing food as nourishment vs. the enemy   Tips for increasing self-acceptance   Exercising with intention to enhance well-being     Must-listen moments:   [00:03:36] If I come across something today where I fear something, it's usually a sign to me. If it's something that I just can't get out of my head, that it's something I need to face. And usually when I face it, most times it's not as bad as I think it's going to be in my mind and I get through it.  [00:06:10] I want to enjoy my life. I lost ten years of my life, and that eating disorder stole it from me, and I don't want to lose any more.   [00:11:05] I have to be very intentional about what I choose to do as exercise, because the things I choose in my life now affect my family, my husband, my children, everyone around me.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?    Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services.    

Relationships require hard work and communication, but when one partner is struggling with an eating disorder, it can test the strength of both individuals. Recovery and maintaining a relationship rely on mutual understanding and patience, acknowledging both partners are impacted by the disorder.   In this episode, Deena and Brian explore the dynamics of being in a relationship or marriage while one partner is undergoing treatment and the necessity of honest communication and support.     In this episode, you also hear: Difficulty of sustaining relationships  Inviting people into your support system  Team approach to treatment and recovery    Must-listen moments:  [00:02:23] I almost felt like I was cheating initially because I was in a relationship with him, and I was in a relationship with my eating disorder. And I'm going to say for sure that I love my eating disorder way more than I loved him at that time. [00:12:17] Sometimes those people that support you are not the people you think are going to be the ones that support you. Sometimes you have to go outside of your circle to find that support. [00:16:40] Even though I was the one with the eating disorder, we both went through hell and back, because while I was fighting for my life, he was trying to support me and keep our livelihood.   Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?   Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services. 

Even without an eating disorder or addiction, implementing a change to your lifestyle can be extremely difficult. Achieving change demands years of dedication, consistent daily choices, and a robust support system.  In this episode, Deena and Brian address barriers to creating lasting change and why long-term care is crucial for sustainable recovery.   In this episode, you also hear:  Emotional struggle behind change  Small steps to begin letting go     Details about Center for Discovery Treatment Centers       Must-listen moments:   [00:05:38] There's underlying causes that keep us in that perpetual loop of ‘I'm not going to change because I fear change, and I just keep going round and round in this cycle’, and that's where long term treatment helps us break that cycle and get us to a healthy place.  [00:16:09] When we talk about change. It's over time. It's only with a great deal of struggle that that change occurs. And when that change occurs, I think it's important for people on the outside to realize that it's not black, white, it's not on, off— it's a degree of gray.  [00:17:58] Maybe you can just let go of something like that…I'm not saying do all this in one day…Maybe you can be more flexible by releasing some of the rigidity and the rules that you put up in front of you and the inflexibility of your daily routine.    Resource Mentioned:   Center for Discovery in Texas   Mila Morris: (469) 798-3527     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?    Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services.      

Self-harm can take several different forms such as cutting, burning, scratching, restricting food, and these alarming behaviors often mask a deeper emotional pain. Recovery from self-harm and eating disorders is an ongoing process, it’s not something that can be completely resolved with treatment alone.   In this episode, Deena stresses that open communication and education are vital for support and understanding on the never-ending road of recovery.  In this episode, you also hear: Complex reality of self-harm as a coping mechanism How new environments pose challenges to recovery    Understanding treatment is not a permanent fix     Must-listen moments:  [00:07:14] People or individuals can become trapped in such a vicious cycle of self-destruction that eventually you just don't—I'll speak for myself. I didn't think I was good enough…and so I was slowly killing myself and just taking anything, I could do to harm myself, whether that was not eating or whatever that form was. [00:10:30] I think the obsession comes and that the behavior is repeated over and over and over again to get that same high. Just like with an alcoholic or a drug addict. You just keep hoping for that same relief that you had from the very first time. It is a form of punishment, an expression of self-hatred toward their own self.   [00:13:54] You can go, and you can be in treatment and have all this help given to you. You have to work the program yourself, but it's not something that just goes away one day.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?   Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services. 

Pride is not just a feeling reserved for the end of the recovery journey but a crucial element to embrace throughout the process. Whether someone’s been in recovery for a day, an hour, or even a minute, every step forward is an accomplishment worth celebrating. In this episode, Deena and Brian acknowledge the challenges of maintaining motivation, the role of support systems, and the power of reframing setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. In this episode, you also hear: Power of pride and marking milestones in recovery  Replacing harmful behaviors with small acts of self-care  Realities of relapse and facing the fear of seeking treatment    Must-listen moments:  [00:01:09] Take a moment and be proud of yourself. You're fighting demons. Your brain's telling you all kinds of things that aren't true.  [00:14:55] I will always consider myself a work in progress. I’ll never think of myself as recovered. I’m always recovering, because as soon as I put the ed on that word, then I think I can figure this all out on my own. [00:17:15] It's important to even celebrate that. You went in somewhere, you challenged yourself. You did that, and you may not be happy about it. It may be a miserable experience, but you did it and you got through it.     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?   Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services. 

Rarely do people grasp the entirety of an individual’s struggle with addiction. Those living with and recovering from eating disorders often fight unseen battles marked by burdensome emotions such as shame, guilt, and misplaced blame.   In this episode, Deena debunks the myth that eating disorders are a choice and illustrates them as the creeping shadows that they are, and shares why the path to recovery requires a supportive and informed approach from family, friends, and society.   In this episode, you also hear:  Understanding eating disorders as an illness  Addressing misconceptions about eating disorders  Searching for acceptance and help in recovery      Must-listen moments:   [00:01:05] It's an illness and it comes on without you even recognizing it, sometimes because it's so quiet and it just starts so small and it just takes over.   [00:07:45] Eating disorders don't have anything to do with food. They have to do with some type of trauma, and so you use food or alcohol or drugs or whatever you're using at that time as a coping mechanism.  [00:17:35] You're not weak, you're not damaged. You just need people with you that know what they're doing and there is life after an eating disorder.     Resource Mentioned:  Los Angeles Outpatient Rehab.   WWW.createrecoverycenter.com  Clinical Director: Lisa Lipton   Admission line is 310 -686 -1124.  Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?    Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services.    

The path to healing from an eating disorder requires not only nourishment but self-compassion. Self-worth and numbers on the scale often become intertwined, leading to a distorted body image and struggles with weight.  In this episode, Deena and Brian offer insight into the battles with negative self-perception, the need for self-care, and the continuous journey toward holistic healing for those struggling with eating disorders and the loved ones who care for them.  In this episode, you also hear: Reconnecting with your body  Coping with self-criticism and trauma  Emotional rollercoaster of caretaking and recovery tools  Must-listen moments:  [00:00:44] That number on the scale played a huge role in my eating disorder. It determined how my day was going to go, what my mood was going to be like, how I dealt with people, and I wasn't going to win because either it was low or a little too high. [00:05:06] We're our own worst critic. We see things that nobody else is ever going to see. [00:19:45] Building a better relationship with your body is a journey…and it takes patience, it takes time, it doesn't happen overnight, and neither does recovery.  Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?   Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services.   

Battles with depression, addiction, and eating disorders are often suffered in secrecy and silence. Surrounding yourself with people who have walked in your shoes can connect you with someone who will both celebrate your progress and hold you accountable when you need it most.   In this episode, Deena and Brian break down stereotypes around addiction and eating disorders and affirm the transformative nature of recovery communities.   In this episode, you also hear:  Benefits of community support outside of family   Addressing myths about who suffers from eating disorders  Recognizing the opposite of addiction is connection     Must-listen moments:   [00:03:32] Before entering treatment, my family had no clue how to talk to me, how to approach me, and they had no idea what I was going through, and it just led to arguments and frustration on both sides.  [00:09:38] Those are some of the best people because when you have triumphs and you're doing great, they're going to be right there cheerleading you on the way. When you hit rock bottom, they're going to be right there with you the whole way.  [00:18:00] Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, but recovery flourishes in community.     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?    Podcast audio editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services.      

The sudden loss of a loved one creates a vast chasm of grief that can feel insurmountable. When Deena’s brother died of cancer, the pressure to return to normalcy without addressing the grief she was experiencing sparked her battle with a life-altering eating disorder.     In this episode, Deena and Brian uncover the complex relationship and similarities between grief and eating disorders, and highlight the ever-present need for support and compassion.   In this episode, you also hear:  Consequences of unprocessed grief   Finding courage to confront your pain   Recognizing different forms of loss   Must-listen moments:   [00:07:17] Instead of processing the emotions and grief that I was feeling, I began to engage in unhealthy behaviors to avoid the pain and anger, and I began to turn the pain inward and I started taking it out on myself.  [00:11:50] Grieving doesn't really have an ending. It's a process, it's a journey, just like recovery is. It's not linear.  [00:14:06] It's important to get to know what your feelings are and what you're going through and be able to identify those things, because if you can, I think you can try and resolve some of the situations.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 35 members! Will you be next?  Podcast audio management and show notes by Podcast Abundance.     

So often the toughest person to forgive is the one you face in the mirror. The path to recovery is never a straight line; it’s filled with both the lowest moments and most rewarding victories you’ll ever experience.    In this episode, Deena explores the tender subject of forgiveness, and confronts the truth that while the past is unchangeable, the present and future offer a blank slate for healing and growth.  In this episode, you also hear:  Releasing the weight of remorse and self-hatred   Celebrating your progress   Choosing the path that suits you best     Must-listen moments:   [00:05:50] You may have lived with your pain, your guilt, your resentment, your anger for many years. Allow yourself the time you need to forgive yourself.  [00:11:22] Sometimes we forget to pat ourselves on the back and say I have done a great job. It may not look like it, but I have.  [00:12:19] It's okay to know that your road is different from somebody else's road and to accept that somebody else can do it this way and I can only do it that way.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 35 members! Will you be next?    Podcast audio management and show notes by  Podcast Abundance.   

Addictions and eating disorders carry a larger impact beyond the individual suffering with these conditions. Family and loved ones often endure the disease silently on the sidelines, struggling with their ability to understand or provide appropriate support.     In this episode, Deena and Brian address the importance of caregivers embracing education and utilizing available resources, emphasizing self-care as an integral component of the recovery process.  In this episode, you also hear:  Challenging reality of caregiving   Hard truth about the long road to recovery  Supportive guidance for caregivers     Must-listen moments:   [00:05:48] I just want to remind that individuals with eating disorders do not choose to have an eating disorder. I don't think anybody intends to hurt their loved ones.  [00:14:50] The reality is that this is something you're going to struggle with the rest of your life. And we're both going to struggle with it.  [00:22:36] Remember that it's not their fault, it's not your fault, and that the person you're caring for is not their illness. They're not their eating disorder. They're way more than that.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 35 members! Will you be next?    Credit:  Podcast audio management and show notes by Podcast Abundance.        

Recovery equates to transforming your lifestyle, so it’s imperative to connect with a committed accountability partner or support group that has the experience and tools needed to guide you.  In this episode, Deena recalls the most impactful support she received during and post-treatment, serving as a reminder that you're never alone on your journey to recovery.    In this episode, you also hear:  Finding an appropriate accountability partner  Suggestions for working with a sponsor    Embracing what you feel and sharing it with others  Must-listen moments:   [00:04:47] An accountability partner can be whoever you feel like you trust and will keep you on that path.  [00:06:22] You want somebody strong that's lived your experience and can give you good sound advice and support.  [00:12:40] I think it's trying to understand where each other is, and being empathetic because I think if we don't communicate it, we assume other things and they're usually not true.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 35 members! Will you be next?      Credit: Podcast audio management and show notes by Podcast Abundance.       

Living with an eating disorder or addiction often creates a profound sense of isolation. Yet, the reality is that individuals and families grapple with these afflictions daily, with many suffering in silence.  In this episode, Deena and Brian reiterate why they consider addiction as a family disease, shed light on the frustrating truth about treatment costs, and advocate for more people to share their experience to ensure those battling addiction recognize the wealth of support available to them.   In this episode, you also hear:  Avoiding destructive words and phrases   Harsh reality of stigma around eating disorders   Raising awareness that eating disorders are a disease     Must-listen moments:   [00:03:01] Words have meaning, and words can hurt. And we all need to be mindful of the words we're using...it's something that you don't know what somebody's struggling with.  [00:12:55] Eating disorders are like cancer treatments that your insurance doesn't pay for. And that is speaking from experience and that's the reality of it. And nobody wants to point out that, it is really expensive to get some quality help.  [00:15:15] When you share your stories, somebody else will know they're not alone. Speak up, speak out, stand in a place where it says it's okay to talk about eating disorders.  Mentioned in this Episode:  More Love - https://more-love.org/  Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 35 members! Will you be next?   

Even after taking monumental steps toward long-term recovery, the smallest of triggers can make your mind spiral, convincing you relapse is inevitable. Thankfully, there are tools to manage setbacks and support groups willing to offer help.   In this episode, Deena and Brian discuss common family triggers and why you must allow yourself to feel what you feel, then let yourself focus on the good in your life.     In this episode, you also hear:  Recognizing your recovery never ends   Power of awareness and gratitude   Embracing your feelings to release what hurts    Must-listen moments:   [00:04:47] You have to realize that you're struggling with a disease that you can't predict, you can't control, and you can't cure. And that's going to be for a lifetime.  [00:12:25] I'm grateful because I became a much stronger individual. I know what my needs are, and I may not do it the right way each time, but I'm able to vocalize with people and have a voice that I don’t think I had before.  [00:16:07] If you have feelings, sit with them for a moment, but just don't get stuck there for a long time because it's harder to pull yourself out.                Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 35 members! Will you be next?   

Most people think grief is for when a loved one passes, but huge life changes can also trigger cycles of anger, sadness, despair. And though it may seem odd, it’s possible to grieve your disorder or addiction, even though you might consider that period the worst time of your life.     In this episode, Deena sheds light on making room for grief so you can continue taking steps on the long road of recovery.   In this episode, you also hear:  Focusing on short term goals to combat overwhelm  In recovery vs. Recovered  Embracing messages of encouragement  Must-listen moments:   [00:04:15] During recovery and especially in early recovery, you're gonna hit peaks and valleys and ups and downs and roller coaster rides all the way through.  [00:11:37] It takes a special person to be able to recognize you have a problem, get help for it, and then live your life again in a whole new way.  [00:13:07] You have new messages that you're being told now, once you start hearing them over and over again, those recordings are going to be different from what they ever were before, and you’re going to start to believe them.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 35 members! Will you be next?   

Rock bottom sounds like the end but there's always a way back to the top. Everyone’s rock bottom is different, and I had to hit rock-bottom a few times. Recovery is attainable if you choose to seek out and accept help and let yourself start over as many times as needed.   In this episode, Deena and Brian emphasize that only you have the power to take your first step towards a new beginning.   In this episode, you also hear:  Being powerless before progress   Understanding recovery requires time   Take action or face the consequences   Must-listen moments:   [00:07:01] When you're struggling in the addiction, you're 100 percent wrong thinking, “I control this” or “I'm not hurting anybody but myself.”  [00:15:17] Seek out some mental health professionals...talk and see if you can't figure out, not necessarily the root cause, but figure out the behavior and why this behavior keeps continuing and take some direction from them.  [00:20:02] That was a deal changer because I realized I either got to figure this out and start working the program, or he may not be here the next time I go through this.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 35 members! Will you be next?   

Your identity is priceless and your physical appearance has nothing to do with your value as a human. Unfortunately, it’s easy to lose sight of your worth when you’re in an unsupportive environment or when your self-esteem comes under attack.   In this episode, Deena recalls the hardest parts of growing up a people pleaser, the power of starting over during recovery, and offers a reminder that reclaiming your life is always possible.   In this episode, you also hear:  Devastating impact of addiction on self-esteem   Why addiction is a family disease   Understanding an eating disorder is not a death sentence    Must-listen moments:   [00:06:46] It's weird how something like addiction makes us think that the worst things about us are true and no one can make you feel different about it.  [00:10:24] Rediscovering yourself is one of the most difficult parts of recovery, but yet it is one of the far most important parts of recovery.  [00:14:58] You are definitely not your eating disorder. You owe your eating disorder nothing. Your eating disorder gets no credit for the person you are now. What you've done now and the success you've made is you.     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?  

Learning more about the reality of day-to-day life with Anorexia and perhaps seemingly odd actions that an addict (or person with an eating disorder) might do simply because of their disease will likely lift the cloud of judgment, shame, and misunderstanding toward someone you love.   While I’ve shared some tid-bits about weighing myself and going on long walks as part of my obsessive way of dealing with my mental health, there were things I didn’t share until now, perhaps because of shame or guilt or embarrassment. Well, you get to hear about them now!  As I share them, echoes of Matthew Perry’s own fight with addiction make me realize how close to death I truly was. I remember what it was like not to care about life or death, only about what I could eat with the fewest amount of calories.    In this episode, you also hear:  A raw encounter that turned scoffs into empathy among a group of young men  Confessions of past actions that still weigh heavy with regret  The ethical dilemmas around Canada's potential MAID legislation for mental health issues    Must-listen moments:   [00:11:09] Personal stories of shame and secretive behaviors related to my eating disorder, treatment complexities, and ethical implications of MAID for chronic conditions.  [00:21:10] Gratitude for support, invite questions, love and well-wishes, Serenity Prayer to persevere and remember worth.     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Does time really heal all wounds? What about the wounds you never talk about? Without opening up about your experiences and getting the help you need, it’s almost inevitable to fall into a pattern of hitting rock bottom and relapsing.    In this episode, Deena and Brian discuss how unresolved trauma impacts Deena’s family relationships and the support that truly helped her move forward in recovery despite ongoing challenges.        In this episode, you also hear:  Root causes of eating disorders   Fallacy that time heals all wounds   Filling your life raft with coping tools     Must-listen moments:   [00:05:05] But when you're looking at an eating disorder, people think it's all about the food, which it's not...you're dealing with a mental illness that has physical symptoms, and the physical symptoms are what's killing you.  [00:10:07] The fact is that trauma exists and we've never addressed the trauma, we've just gone over it and let time heal it. And I think that's a big fallacy that we have is somehow time heals all wounds.  [00:17:21] What I feel recovery has taught me...is that it provided me to build some type of life raft that keeps me afloat during really either destructive times or hard times, difficult times in my life, that I know, on that life raft, that I have certain things that I can reach out and they can help me through those times.     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

As with any relationship, your relationship with food can experience a varying range of highs and lows, especially for those recovering from an eating disorder. Some days might feel manageable while others feel like you’ve made zero progress.       In this episode, Deena describes the complexities of her relationship with food, the realities of recovery, and why it’s crucial to reach out for help when you need it most.   In this episode, you also hear:  Navigating guilt around food indulgences   Misconceptions about willpower   False relapses and encouragement for recovery       Must-listen moments:   [00:00:30] My relationship with food is obviously complicated. Even with all these years that have passed, there's days that I am just fine, can make it, eat it, move on with life. Other days there is a struggle.   [00:12:25] Changing my thoughts and actions was going to take time. And that's why I really believe in long term care.  [00:18:00] I want you to remember and I have to remind myself the best thing I can do when I get in those moments is try and pull myself out and reach out to somebody and say this is what I'm feeling.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?     

Most people are familiar with the depiction of having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, both trying to influence your decisions. But what if you only have a devil, a negative voice, hijacking your thoughts that never ceases to stop?    In this episode, Deena illustrates working through an unsupportive and unrelenting inner voice and the relief of finding support to soften the noise inside your head.     In this episode, you’ll also hear:  When the inner voice is loudest and quietest    Battling overwhelming negative self-talk  Embracing the strength of your own voice   Must-listen moments:   [00:4:59] I think one of the reasons to go to all these meetings was because then you get outside of your own head, and you're dealing with people, and you're surrounding yourself with people that are supporting you.  [00:08:55] There's times that I did not listen to the voice, but then the guilt that would come after that fact was more than I could bear. It wants you to harm yourself. It wants you to die. It wants to take all life out of you.   [00:11:40] As I got further and further into treatment, I liked who I was becoming. I liked that I now had a voice. I felt like people always spoke for me rather than me speaking for myself.     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Happy New Year! Deena’s story serves as an incredible inspiration to those struggling with addiction or eating disorders, and the friends and family who support them, to never give up hope.  In this episode, Deena walks through her past traumas, challenges with treatment, and what it’s like to let go of perfection and focus on recovery day by day.   In this episode, you’ll also hear:  Acknowledging unresolved family trauma  Details about Deena’s eating disorder and treatment journey  Struggling through the process of recovery   Must-listen moments:   [00:6:03] My family was great at coming together when there was a crisis, but not so much when it was just the day in, day out kind of day.  [00:15:58] When you replace the why of why this is happening to me with what is this trying to teach me, everything kind of shifts.  [00:20:16] It's a family disease. It's a silent killer. And my focus and what I would like to do in my lifetime is to bring awareness to the world that there are eating disorders out there and there are people that are really suffering and families that are suffering.  Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

The holidays aren’t always jolly for everyone and it’s okay to not be in the best of spirits.  In this episode, Deena shares why tuning into your feelings is crucial to self-care, how the question “are you okay?” can open doors for help, and tips for addressing depression.        In this episode, you’ll also hear: Listening to your body and giving it what it needs  Details about Australia’s “R U OK?” nonprofit  Advice for managing depression during the holidays    Must-listen moments:  [00:4:04] I think some days it works and some days it doesn't…it's not a magic pill. I still have to deal with my feelings.  [00:08:17] There's this nonprofit organization in Australia and they started this thing called R U OK?. They've used it as suicide prevention and it's encouraging all of us to notice the signs of mental health in others…inspiring everyone to connect with people around them and start a conversation with others who are struggling with life. [00:15:08] I think some of the best things that you can do if you are living with depression…set yourself realistic goals. Keep your life simple. Do the things that you have to do, follow your treatment guidelines.   Mentioned in this Episode: R U OK? - https://www.ruok.org.au/   Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?

Setting goals is great, but overburdening yourself with unrealistic expectations and difficult demands can hinder your progress and recovery.   In this episode, Deena emphasizes the significance of self-care during the holiday season and shares how she combats being her own worst critic, along with a powerful reminder that progress, not perfection, is the real goal.         In this episode, you’ll also hear: Rigid routines and excessive demands of perfectionism      Feeling unrecognized and knowing your triggers Recognizing self-criticism and the need for affirmations  Must-listen moments:  [00:3:55] Perfectionism and eating disorders is a really complex battle. Perfectionism is never attainable.  [00:11:38] I think it's important to identify, especially now during the holidays, the cycle that you're going through, identifying what triggers you. [00:17:37] I've had to learn how to give myself those affirmations and not always have to get them from other people. Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?  

Today, we unravel the complex relationship between eating disorders and control. We share our personal experiences, discussing how feeling powerless in various aspects of life can drive the need for control through food and body image.   Deena and Brian explore how childhood experiences and traumatic events can trigger such conditions and emphasize the significance of confronting underlying issues and seeking professional help to overcome them.   Deena examines the internal chaos, constant food thoughts, and fear of losing control associated with eating disorders. She stresses the importance of acceptance and courage to make necessary changes, reminding everyone that they're not alone and that help is always available.   Our commitment is to use contributions to support organizations specializing in eating disorders. Stay tuned and continue the fight towards recovery. Remember, you're never alone in this battle, and there's always a supportive community ready to help.  In this episode, you’ll also hear:  How being a latch-key-kid affected Deena, driving a wider gap between she and her brothers  When Brian’s role officially shifted from partner and spouse to caregiver  What Deena’s first few days in treatment were like and why healing was such an emotional process    Must-listen moments:   (00:05) Dealing with Eating Disorders and Control  (09:25) Eating disorders and Control Explained  (16:40) Resources and Support for Eating Disorders    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Just because you’ve ever had an eating disorder does not mean you can never have a baby. Although eating disorders can disrupt your body’s natural cycles, it’s still very possible for you to recover and have a family someday.   In this episode, Deena sheds light on the traumatic events that led to her eating disorder, how she’s managed the guilt of multiple miscarriages, and shares a hopeful message for those grappling with the complexities of pregnancy and recovery.      In this episode, you’ll also hear:  What triggered Deena’s eating disorder  Eating disorders impact on periods and fertility   Struggles with pregnancy, miscarriages, and guilt   Must-listen moments:   [00:4:19] One of the first things that started happening was I got so thin that I lost my period. I was probably in my eating disorder for at least 10 years but probably I lost my period for at least 8 of those.  [00:11:33] I still blame myself, I still have a lot of guilt as to what I've done to my body over the years…but God blessed us with 5 great kids.   [00:17:07] I know if I've gone through it and felt it, then somebody out there has felt it as well. And I want to give them hope.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Holiday stress can amplify eating disorders, addiction, and body image issues. Having a clear plan and support system is critical to managing these particularly stressful times for those in recovery.   In this episode, Deena and Brian address how to prepare for the holidays, what social media doesn’t show, and why increasing awareness is vital to combating eating disorder statistics.    In this episode, you’ll also hear:  Navigating holiday stress   Impact of social media on body image  Raising awareness about eating disorders   Must-listen moments:   [00:3:44] To somebody who's either in recovery or just starting out in recovery, really think about what's my plan and be able to have an answer for that. If you do, you'll be really successful in navigating some of the stress of the holidays.    [00:06:13] I know it's hard to accept yourself and what you look like, especially with today's standards. You have the Kardashians, and you have everybody else in social media…you see people on Instagram, and everybody wants to use these filters.  [00:16:24] NIDA, National Eating Disorder Association, provides a National Eating Disorder Week, and for 2024, it will be held from February 26th through March 1st, 2024.     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Anorexia, binge eating, alcoholism, and drug use are different sides of the same coin. As Deena recalls a time in treatment and recovery, she illuminates the mental tug-of-war and self-sabotage those battling these disorders constantly face.   In this episode, Deena and Brian share the common struggles of addiction and the importance of understanding how addiction affects people from all walks of life.   In this episode, you’ll also hear:  Recognizing tricks and coping mechanisms   Self-sabotage and starting over     Difficulty of Acceptance   Must-listen moments:   [00:3:43] This eating disorder thing doesn't look at race. It doesn't look at how old you are or how wealthy you are. It doesn't matter what sex you are. It just takes over.    [00:20:13] What I've come around to, in order to help you be healthy, is holding you to that standard…you're going to do your first step over.   [00:20:45] Support doesn't always mean yes. Some support, a lot of times, means no.     Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

When people think of a love story, it usually doesn’t include addiction. Brian and Deena started their lives together as high school sweethearts and married 10 years later, only to have their first years of marriage overshadowed by Deena’s eating disorder.    In this episode, Brian sheds light on his experience of trying to support his wife through recovery and suggestions for caregivers who need support.   In this episode, you’ll also hear:  When treatment doesn’t work as it should     The upside-down world of addiction   Balancing success with struggle in recovery   Must-listen moments:   [00:4:08] I wanted to figure out how I can best support my wife as she's struggling because I see her struggling, but I don't know what to do. So, give me the tools to help.  [00:14:17]  I just remember looking at my wife going, wondering, what are you doing? I don't understand. But that was the mantra: I don't understand, I really don't.   [00:18:22] It's a lot easier when your loved one has the tools to succeed and understands their disease.    Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?     

When it comes to supporting those living with eating disorders and OCD, it takes more than just kind words and a sympathetic ear. The challenge lies in understanding the emotional paralysis that OCD can cause, like the anxiety triggered by numbers on a scale.  In this episode, Deena opens up about the guilt, desperation, and frustration that these behaviors often entail and how caregivers can offer support in loving ways.   In this episode, you’ll also hear:  Examples of OCD Tendencies   Tips for being supportive to those with OCD   Being one step ahead of yourself in recovery   Must-listen moments:   [00:13:04] Sometimes, if your loved one is struggling with OCD, it's kind of like you plug one hole, and another hole starts. And then you plug that hole, and the original hole starts draining again.  [00:13:49] Wacky and strange as it sounds, the OCD does keep you in this sort of state of paralysis.  [00:19:28] It's good to be in the moment, but knowing where you are in your recovery and what you need ahead of time so that you don't get yourself in a situation where you're like, I'm desperate…now what do I do?  Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.   Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Recovery is a demanding process that never ends, even when someone seems to have their life in order. The little voice of addiction still pops up, and maintaining healthy relationships can be a struggle even after 20-plus years of recovery.   In this episode, Deena dives into her ongoing personal struggles and why sometimes it’s okay to be a little selfish to protect your recovery.  In this episode, you’ll also hear:  Addressing food fears and keeping a food plan   Establishing boundaries for family relationships  Seeking out support and finding a bigger purpose   Must-listen moments:   [00:03:46] If you're thinking about something and contemplating it over and over in your head, it's probably something that you need to face.   [00:4:21] Now we have a very good relationship where I know when to share with him and when not to, and when I need to go to somebody else and talk to someone else about it.   [00:13:09] I feel the most comfortable when I'm talking to other people, trying to help others understand eating disorders, and giving support to others.   Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] 

Navigating the murky waters of addiction is challenging, and it’s tougher when the struggle isn’t understood by the family. Deena recalls difficult moments when she felt judged rather than supported during her recovery, while Brian walks us through his own family’s history of addiction and how his grandfather struggled with alcohol before resources like Alcoholics Anonymous existed.   In this episode, Deena and Brian put the spotlight on the complexities of family support in addiction recovery and the importance of understanding the nature of the disease.    In this episode, you’ll also hear:  The role of a higher power in recovery   Navigating family support in addiction recovery   Recalling family history of addiction      Must-listen moments:   [00:05:02] When you talk about a higher power, it's not necessarily in your higher power as God, but it's just a recognition…a higher power is just that. It's something greater than yourself that you recognize.  [00:16:48] It's very important to be proactive in your own recovery, and think ahead.    [00:26:48] I can keep sharing my story and telling you what I went through, but like we said, this is a family disease. And we not only want to be here for the addict, but we want to be here for the family. The brothers, the sisters, the parents, whoever you may be, because you're struggling just as much.  Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected] 

Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet for treating eating disorders. Deena shares why recovering from anorexia is akin to being on an emotional rollercoaster and how the simple act of cleaning out her closet can send her reeling.  She also provides insights into managing triggers during recovery and the importance of daily routines and setting achievable goals. Deena and Brian emphasize the critical role of external support systems for both addicts and caretakers, and the profound impact of groups like OA and AA when navigating through challenging times. In this episode, Deena and Brian continue unpacking Deena’s recovery journey and remind listeners it’s okay to seek help as an addict or a caretaker, and remember support is always available.  In this episode, you’ll also hear: What helped Deena during her second treatment Recognizing triggers and using “feeling words” Resources for caretakers of addicts    Must-listen moments:  [00:05:42] It's really important for people with disordered eating to talk about their feelings because…even in addiction as a whole, you don't recognize what you're feeling in the moment; you're just feeding the addiction in the hopes that that's going to make you feel better because it's made you feel better the past. [00:13:09] I even remember the staff there, when I was getting ready to leave treatment for good, were like, “You know, Dina, you're going to hit triggers. That's part of life. That's part of recovery.”  [00:24:04] As somebody who wants to be supportive, you can do that. but you do have to realize that as a caretaker and somebody who doesn't struggle with addiction, that maybe there's a reason for all these [support] groups for caretakers, for survivors of those who have an addiction. Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]

Deena pulls back the curtain on her eating disorder even more, revealing her struggle with feeling invisible and alienated even as her loved ones desperately tried to help her. She recalls how her addiction cast a shadow over life's pivotal moments, like birthdays and even her own wedding.  Deena and Brian also discuss her ever-present fear of death while battling her eating disorder, and how Deena’s mother even wrote a heart-breaking message about planning for Deena’s seemingly imminent funeral.  In this episode, Deena and Brian explore the critical role of a support system in tackling eating disorders, and how therapy from a professional who had firsthand experience with anorexia made a significant difference.  In this episode, you’ll also hear: Struggling with isolation caused by addiction   Feeling numb vs. feeling family’s pain  Need for therapy and support system  Must-listen moments:  [00:06:03] When we talk about who you had become, there was a lot of avoidance. There was a lot of isolation and a lot of times, it alienated those friends and family who wanted to help, but didn't know how to help, saw that there was a problem, didn't know what to do about the problem. [00:14:57] The depths of the disease that your loved one is struggling with, you have no idea how deep that struggle is. And it is so profound and you are so removed from it. [00:18:00] Now I had a conscience of how I was hurting other people and I couldn't do it. I knew I was getting better because I was thinking of how I was going to affect my family and other people, and I knew that I didn't have another chance. Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]  

Three months after her first inpatient treatment experience, Deena’s progress was wiped out by a swift relapse, causing her to return to the hospital. Deena and Brian had already spent their nest egg on her first hospital stay, thus relying on their family to help fund Deena’s second stint at healing her eating disorder.    Overwhelmed by Deena’s second inpatient stay, Brian shares the mixture of guilt and freedom he felt, knowing he was not responsible for fixing her problems for her. Thankfully, Deena’s second facility took a much different approach than the first, including hands-on cooking education and long-term support.  Years later, Deena confesses how she embraced a fake-it-to-make-it attitude throughout treatment and eventually no longer felt the need to fake anything. She understood her triggers and what caused her behaviors around food to shift, making a recovery more manageable when she finally returned home 7 months later.    In this episode, Deena and Brian walk us through their individual experiences during Deena’s second treatment stay and why they believe you should always believe recovery is possible.    You’ll also hear: Relapse is part of recovery The mental and emotional weight of being a caregiver for an addict  Why long-term care is critical for recovery    Must-listen moments:  [00:02:07] As a family member, when you finally get somebody to that treatment facility, it's not an easy thing to do. Treatment is scary. Treatment sucks.  [00:08:22] It's not like you sit down with an addict and go, ‘I think you need help,’ and they go, ‘Yeah, I think you're right,’ and they get up and get help. I mean, that just doesn't happen, and that's not the reality of it. [00:24:31] I think it's so important to have long-term care…but long-term care, you really need to be able to change those patterns in your recovery, to make your recovery last.   Mentioned in this Episode:  https://www.montecatinieatingdisorder.com/   We’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]

Throughout her road to recovery, Deena kept a journal and shares an excerpt from her writing: “I had been seeing my doctor monthly to have my blood counts checked. They said I was in need of a blood transfusion if I didn't do something about my health soon.”  With raw honesty, she takes us through her personal journey, sharing the daily routines that masked her struggle and revealing the weight of secrecy and difficulty opening up to her partner, Brian. Her story is a stark reminder of the reality many face alone, underlining the critical need to understand this disease, not just for the sufferers but also for their support network. Brian recalls his frustration in watching Deena seek medical help and weighing in at a mere 57 pounds as an adult woman at 5’7” tall and how the doctors just kept suggesting different tests instead of providing actual treatment solutions.    Eventually, Deena checked into an inpatient facility for weight loss in California. She figured out ways to make others believe she was getting better and was released after three months. Soon after, her weight plummeted again, and the cycle continued.     In this episode, Brian and Deena recount what led to her first treatment experience and the disappointment of searching for answers from trusted experts without any luck.  In this episode, you’ll also hear: The compulsive side of eating disorders  Deena’s trauma, tricks, and treatment experience  Realizing the difference between trying vs. doing  Must-listen moments:  [00:03:06] At the same time, I knew if I didn't go somewhere and get help, I wouldn't have long to live. I was living on spared time as it was.  [00:06:43] We'll say it over and over again. This is a family disease and really a disease that eats families. [0:09:48] Just as much as an alcoholic Hides the bottles from you so that you don't see the disease, it's the same way with an eating disorder. Right, you're gonna do these things that affect your weight so that you don't see the disease.  [00:21:51] I remember thinking at the time, okay, this is great while she's here, but what's gonna happen when we go home? [0:26:31] When I was in treatment, my dad said something to me one time… we were sitting with the doctors, and I was like, “I'm trying, I'm trying,” and he's like, “Deena, you have to stop trying, you just have to do it.” And those words hit me like a rock because I really didn't think my dad gave a crap about me, and something about saying that really made me wake up and do it.  We’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]

If you're feeling trapped in a cycle of self-destructive habits and body scrutiny, constantly searching for validation and control through your eating disorder, you are not alone!  In this episode, you’ll hear from both Brian and Deena about her backstory, how her duel with anorexia developed, and how a lack of understanding and support can exacerbate any addictive behaviors. Her story unfolds in the 90s when anorexia was largely misunderstood and not adequately treated as an addiction.  Before the internet and social media, there was limited information, especially regarding health issues such as eating disorders. Thankfully, research and treatment options for disordered eating have significantly improved over the past 20 years, but there’s still not enough! By being transparent about her experiences, together with Brian's unwavering support and perspective, they aim to create a beacon of hope and source of practical guidance for others caught up in the whirlwind of eating disorders.   What you’ll hear:  Deena’s family background and start of anorexia      The lack of resources for eating disorders in the 1990s Treating eating disorders as a family issue  Must-listen moments:  [00:05:55] No one understood. We didn't understand. Eating disorders weren’t even a thing. [00:14:43] All of us have to learn how to cope. We all have a part in it. It's a family disease.  [00:16:49] It took over my whole life. It was the most important thing in my life to me. I was a newlywed and I cared more about my eating disorder than anybody else. It came before anything else. We’d love to hear from you via email at [email protected]

This show is for caretakers, parents, spouses, siblings, and friends of those struggling with an eating disorder. You aren’t alone in feeling overwhelmed and insufficient toward getting your loved ones the help they need with their eating disorder. We know what it’s like to desperately want to help them when everything you do seems to push them further away.  This show is also for those struggling with an eating disorder. Your feelings of hopelessness as you slip further into isolation, disappointed with your own reflection in the mirror, are safe here.  Welcome to the “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” Podcast.    We offer you hope and encouragement as we work to grow a community of in-recovery survivors who share your pain, understand your fears, and truly understand. I’m your host, Deena Lewis, and my husband, Brian Lewis, will join me for most episodes. We are a married couple who bring over 20 years of personal eating disorder recovery experience to you each week and hope to help, inspire, and support those struggling with an eating disorder and their loved ones.    On this show, you’ll walk alongside us through the ups and downs of my own anorexia recovery journey with you. We aim to provide reliable resources and encourage you during your darkest days.   You are worth it. You are not alone.   On this show, you can look forward to: Decipher the emotional depth of eating disorders and how they touch the lives of sufferers and loved ones. Discover the power of solidarity and community in healing and recovery. Step inside the compelling real-life accounts of individuals challenged by eating disorders. Unlock ways to steadfastly traverse the recovery road, filled with renewed optimism. Acknowledge the integral involvement of our hosts, your allies in providing necessary support and resources.   Must-listen moments:  [00:00:28] We're a married couple who is familiar with the daily struggles of living through an eating disorder. [00:00:38] If you're feeling isolated and disconnected, unable to share your pain and fears with others who truly understand, then you are not alone! [00:01:10] We're so glad you're here. You don't have to live in silence anymore.   Tune into the “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” podcast every Wednesday morning for the newest episode.   Reach out by email at [email protected] We will make space to answer your questions and provide helpful recommendations in between our regular episodes.   Spread awareness about eating disorders by sharing our podcast episodes with friends, family, and anyone who may benefit from our experience.