Advertise on podcast: Recovery Talk

In this week's episode I discuss the importance of letting go of what I call 'The Behaviour': the one (or more) specific behaviour(s) you conveniently avoid working on in recovery, whilst prioritising 'all the other stuff'. I talk about the consequences of 'cherry picking' what eating disorder behaviours to work on, and the domino effects of neglecting one or more key areas of recovery. Coaching: letsrecover.co.uk Instagram: @amalielee/@letsrecover.co.uk Substack: letsrecover.substack.com

In this this episode I discuss how over-thinking (rumination) and excessive need for reassurance can show up in eating disorder recovery, and how to handle this in a more productive way. Topics covered include: Healthy reflection vs obsessive rumination and overthinkingReassurance seeking, and when it becomes a destructive habit Excessive research behaviours as a way to seek reassurancePractical ways of dealing with overthinking and urges to research, ruminate and reassurance-seek 1:1 Coaching: letsrecover.co.uk Substack: letsrecover.substack.com Articles mentioned: 'How to Stop Ruminating' & 'How Do I Stop Thinking About This? What To Do When You’re Stuck Playing Mental Ping Pong'

In this episode I discuss eating disorder relapse, and some of the less discussed potential triggers, including: Dietary restrictions (including ethical- or medical restrictions, such as in veganism or IBS)Pregnancy, breastfeeding and the postpartum periodAccidentally ending up in a calorie deficit"I'll just lose a little bit of weight"/"This time it will be different"Seeing food freedom as 'only for recovery'Appetite loss (e.g. due to stress, illness or post-recovery factors)Never fully recovering/'quasi recovery'Resuming exercise too soon or without the right supportUsing the ED as a go-to coping mechanismLack of meaning and purpose outside of the ED/recoverySubstack: letsrecover.substack.com Coaching & other enquiries: letsrecover.co.uk

In this week's episode I am joined by Megan Reilly, also known as 'Megsy Recovery', for an episode on navigating stuckness, quasi-recovery and sneaky ED behaviours. Some topics include: - Starting recovery when feeling ambivalent/not fully ready - Our lived experiences with full recovery - "But I am weight restored!" - Safety behaviours & compensatory behaviours when doing challenges ('undoing challenges') - Why full recovery is so, so worth it - Maintenance meal plans @megsy_recovery | Meg's podcast, community & Youtube channel

Are you asexual, or is it just your eating disorder? Can your relationship with food mirror your relationship with sex? In this week's episode I am joined by therapist, sexologist and author of 'Nourishing Desire: A Guide to Sexual Recovery and Discovery for People with Eating Disorders', Dr. Jessica Singh. Topics covered include: - The biological and psychological impact of an eating disorder on libido - Body image, and the importance of embodiment - The 'spectrum of control', and how this relates to eating and sexuality - Asexuality as a sexual orientation, versus 'ED induced asexuality' - How shame can impact sexuality - Practical tips for people struggling with sexual function in recovery Dr. Jess' website: drjessicasingh.com Instagram: @appetiteswithdrjess

In this episode I discuss the fear of restoring weight without fully rewiring your brain and recovering mentally - and how this may be your eating disorder in disguise. Topics discussed include: - Where this fear often comes from (and how to tell if it's driven by your ED or your healthy self) - The fear of recovery 'not working', or 'wasted weight gain' - Why weight gain happening before full mental recovery is normal and not inherently bad - How recovery perfectionism and needing to 'do recovery the right way' can hold you back - Fear of losing access to care once weight restored Instagram: @amalielee / @letsrecover.co.uk Website: letsrecover.co.uk

So you're 'better, but not fully there', and others assume you're fine... Why is taking those last steps to full recovery still so important and beneficial? In this episode I discuss 'quasi recovery', ambivalence and resistance, the classic ED arguments against full recovery, and the difference between coping versus healing (and why true healing is possible and so worth it!) letsrecover.co.uk @amalielee | @letsrecover.co.uk

What is eating like after an eating disorder? In this episode I am joined by fellow Let's Recover coach Louisa to discuss our lived experience journeys from recovery to recovered, and how our beliefs and behaviours around food- and eating has shifted over the years. Topics discussed include: Going from a meal plan to intuitive eatingDoes binge urges truly go away?How cravings shift ('will I ever crave fruits and vegetables again?')What true, intuitive eating really looks likeFood noise, and what level of this to expect post-recoveryHow we view calories now versus during our EDFood- and body comparisonCoaching and more: letsrecover.co.uk Louisa's Instagram: @recoverywith.louisa

In this episode I discuss dealing with a decrease in mental- and physical hunger during or after going 'all in'. I explain why appetite may drop significantly after experiencing extreme hunger, how to navigate this without relapsing, and how appetite tends to manifest long- and short term in /after 'all in' recovery. I also discuss weight loss after 'all in', and the difference between overshot tapering off versus a relapse. For coaching & other enquiries, head to letsrecover.co.uk.

In this week's episode I discuss how those sneaky, 'innocent' little things you do to keep yourself safe actually keep you stuck long term, and are not so innocent. Topics discussed: Sneaky behaviours: what they are, why you do them, and how they often manifestHow sneaky behaviours become automated habitsThe importance of 'opposite actions'How no physical harm ≠ no mental harmFor coaching & other enquiries, head to letsrecover.co.uk Instagram: @amalielee | @letsrecover.co.uk

In this week’s episode, I talk about the importance of rewiring your eating disorder brain, why recovery is about more than 'just' eating more or restoring weight, and why doing the things you’re afraid of is essential if you want them to feel less scary and fully recover. Topics discussed: How ED behaviours and beliefs become automatic - and how to change themThe importance of repeated exposure therapy, opposite actions, and 'avoiding avoidance'The science of brain neuroplasticity, and why you absolutely are capable of changeWhy doing matters more than thinking about doingCoaching & other enquiries/resources: letsrecover.co.uk Instagram: @amalielee | @letsrecover.co.uk

In this week's episode I discuss food hoarding: what it is, why it happens, and how to stop it. I also discuss the more subtle and unexpected ways it may manifest. Some of the things discussed: 'Classical' food hoardingFrugality and difficulty spending money, using resources or throwing food awayProtectiveness over your (safe) foodsHoarding/acquiring food for othersUrges to steal foodNon-food hoardingCoaching & other enquiries: letsrecover.co.uk Instagram: @amalielee | @letsrecover.co.uk

In this episode, I discuss chewing and spitting (CHSP): what it is, why people with eating disorders may engage in this behaviour, and why it can be so harmful both mentally and physically. Topics covered include: What CHSP is and the underlying drivers of the behaviour The CHSP “habit loop” and how it becomes entrenched Metabolic and dental consequences Mental, emotional, and social impacts Strategies for recovery and breaking the cycle Coaching & other enquiries: letsrecover.co.uk

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by fellow Let’s Recover coach Louisa for an honest conversation about how body image evolves once you’re fully recovered, and our own lived experiences of body image healing and recovery. We discuss: Do we still experience bad body image?Body image during recovery vs. after recoveryNavigating societal pressure in a recovered bodyWhat actually helps heal body imageRebuilding trust in your bodyPractical strategies & why rewiring mattersCoaching: letsrecover.co.uk  | Louisa’s Instagram: @recoverywith.louisa

In this episode, we break down body dysmorphia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) - what they are, how they differ, and why so many struggle with body image in the first place. We explore the psychology behind distorted self-perception, common symptoms, and the impact of social media, diet culture and societal beauty ideals. We’ll cover: What body dysmorphia is (and isn’t)The difference between body dysmorphia and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)Signs and symptoms of body dysmorphia, and the diagnostic criteria of BDDCommon misconceptionsThe impact of social media, comparison, and beauty standards