Her Best Self | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast, Disordered Eating, Anorexia, Bulimia, Orthorexia, Body Image, Food Freedom, Calorie Counting, Obsessive Exercise, Food Restriction EP 225: Why 91% of Women Diet to Belong + 3 Revolutionary Strategies to End the Cycle This Week⛓️💥
If you're a high-achieving woman who has built an empire of accomplishments but still feels like an outsider looking in, this episode will revolutionize everything you thought you knew about your relationship with food and your body.
Today we're exposing the truth behind the staggering statistic that 91% of women diet to belong, and why your weight obsession is actually a belonging crisis in disguise. You'll discover the research-backed connection between restriction and worthiness, learn why your "disciplined" identity is actually a prison, and walk away with 4 revolutionary strategies to reclaim your power this summer.
This isn't just another episode about food freedom—this is your call to revolution.
What You'll Discover✨ Why 91% of women use dieting as a belonging strategy (and why it backfires)
✨ The Harvard research that proves relationships matter 10x more than weight for happiness
✨ How your "disciplined identity" around food is actually keeping you small
✨ Why validation addiction through restriction is sabotaging your authentic connections
✨ The revolutionary truth about weight, worth, and belonging that changes everything
✨ 3 power practices you can implement this week to break free from the cycle
- 91% of women surveyed on college campuses had attempted to control their weight through dieting
- 22% of women diet "often" or "always" (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)
- 95% of people struggling with food restriction report feeling "different" or "misunderstood" (Center for Mindful Eating)
- Harvard's Study of Adult Development: Quality of relationships determines happiness and health more than any other factor—not dress size, not workout routine
- 95% of diets fail long-term, yet women continue the cycle of restriction
- 85% of eating disorders start as "normal" dieting behavior
Your obsession with weight has nothing to do with your weight and everything to do with your wounded belief that you don't belong. You've convinced yourself that belonging is conditional—requiring the right size, perfect discipline, most controlled relationship with food.
The Identity PrisonYou've made restriction your religion and your body your altar. The identity keeping you "safe" from rejection is the same identity keeping you small. When you define yourself as "the disciplined one," you're not building strength—you're building a prison with bars made of other people's opinions.
The Validation AddictionEvery compliment about your discipline gives you a temporary hit, but validation addiction works like any other addiction—the highs get shorter and the lows get deeper. You need more external approval to feel momentarily worthy.
Powerful Quotes to Remember"True belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world." - Brené Brown
"The belonging you're seeking through their approval will never be sustainable because it's not real. Real belonging comes from the inside out, not the outside in."
Your Belonging Revolution Toolkit: 3 Power Practices Practice 1: The Belonging Mirror MethodEvery morning before checking your phone, stand in front of your mirror and say: "I belong here. In this body, in this life, in this world. Not because of what I weigh, but because of who I am." Then name three things you're grateful your body can do. This rewires your brain from criticism to celebration.
Practice 2: The Summer Freedom Food ChallengeThis week, choose one food you've been restricting and eat it mindfully in a social setting. Maybe it's ice cream on a date, bread at dinner with friends. The goal isn't the food—it's practicing belonging while nourishing yourself. Notice how no one cares what you're eating as much as you think they do.
Practice 3: The Energy Reclaim RitualInstead of over-exercising to earn belonging, move your body in ways that make you feel powerful. Dance in your living room. Walk in nature. Stretch on your porch. Ask: "How does my body want to move today?" then honor that answer. Transform movement from obligation to celebration.
Bonus Practice: The Validation RedirectWhen you catch yourself seeking approval about food choices, body, or discipline—pause and ask: "What validation do I need to give myself right now?" Then give it to yourself. Out loud. With conviction.
The Summer Revolution ChallengeThis summer, stage a revolution for your body, not against it. For freedom, not restriction. For your soul, not your size.
Ask Yourself:
- What would it look like to show up to summer gatherings as the woman who belongs because she's claimed it through courage?
- What would it feel like to order what you want because you want it, not because you've "earned" it?
- What would it mean to wear the swimsuit because you realize your body was always perfect for living your life?
- Brené Brown's belonging and vulnerability research
- Harvard Study of Adult Development (relationships and happiness correlation)
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (dieting statistics)
- Center for Mindful Eating (restriction and social connection studies)
If this episode lit a fire in your soul and you're ready to stop earning worth through restriction and start claiming power through presence, it's time to take action.
The belonging you're seeking isn't hiding in a smaller dress size or waiting at your goal weight. It's available right now, in this body, in this moment, as you are.
Take the Next Step: Fill out a client application at www.herbestself.co to learn about my Breakthrough Experience and Freedom Formula programs. We don't just heal your relationship with food—we revolutionize your relationship with your worth.
Your revolution starts now. Let's break the chains together.
Connect With Lindsey🎙️ Website: www.herbestself.co
📱 Instagram: @thelindseynichol
💌 Email: info@herbestself.com
👥 Private Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com
If this episode revolutionized your perspective on belonging and worthiness, please:
✨ Leave a 5-star review - Your words help this message reach more women who need to hear it
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xo,
lindsey
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* While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.