Her Best Self | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast, Disordered Eating, Anorexia, Bulimia, Orthorexia, Body Image, Food Freedom, Calorie Counting, Obsessive Exercise, Food Restriction EP 226.5: Your Summer Recovery Survival Guide ~ How to Navigate BBQs, Vacations & Bathing Suit Season
Summer schedules, vacations, and seasonal changes can trigger intense anxiety for those in eating disorder recovery. Host Lindsey Nichol shares how to navigate BBQs, beach trips, bathing suit season, and schedule disruptions while prioritizing your healing journey. Learn practical tools used in private coaching sessions to "armor up" for summer recovery success.
Key Takeaways- Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't either
- Summer is actually the PERFECT time to prioritize recovery and put yourself first
- The brain feels unsafe with change - use this knowledge to your advantage
- Create structure that supports recovery, not rigid control
- Practice "doing the opposite" of what your ED voice demands
- Schedule changes and routine disruptions
- Cultural pressure around "bikini bodies"
- Increased social eating situations
- Vacation anxiety and food fears
- The restrict-before-and-after-vacation cycle
- Creating a flexible summer schedule that supports healing
- Pre-planning and pre-deciding for events and vacations
- Setting boundaries with family and friends
- Packing recovery essentials for travel
- Choosing comfort over societal expectations
- The Opposite Action Strategy: Do the opposite of what your ED voice tells you
- Truth-Telling Conversations: Being honest with friends about your recovery needs
- Comfort-First Approach: Choosing clothing and activities that honor your body
- Permission and Grace: Allowing flexibility without shame
- "Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't either."
- "We wouldn't go into battle without armor - we're not gonna do that in recovery either."
- "You're allowed to put your recovery first."
- "There is never shame in standing against the version of you that isn't serving you anymore."
Lindsey shares her recent experience at her brother-in-law's wedding, contrasting her current freedom with past wedding anxiety. She also tells the powerful story of ordering pizza after a weekend away - choosing recovery over restriction.
Action Steps for Listeners- Map out your summer schedule and identify potential trigger situations
- Practice the opposite action when your ED voice speaks up
- Create your summer recovery toolkit (snacks, journal, comfortable clothes)
- Set boundaries and communicate your needs to loved ones
- Remember your why - where do you want to be next summer?
- What am I waiting for in my recovery journey?
- How can I prepare for upcoming events in a way that supports my healing?
- What boundaries do I need to set this summer?
- What would freedom look like in my summer experience?
- Website: www.herbestself.co
- Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com
- Client Applications: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejRMF7DKM5Zf9pGFDqA9crfSHD2y0UGjvvbkuTfuxTsR8lrg/viewform
Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. After finding freedom from her own eating disorder, she now helps women break free from obsessive food thoughts and disordered behaviors to live their best lives.
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review! Your support helps more women find freedom from food and body struggles.
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.