From "I didn't know how to eat" to "Trusting My Body" with Client Bob
Jan 6, 2024
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This week features Bob, a seasoned fitness industry veteran who shares his transformative journey from restrictive eating habits to embracing food freedom. He discusses the emotional struggles he faced at 52, unlearning dieting myths, and the importance of intuitive eating. Bob highlights how he learned to recognize his hunger cues and the psychological benefits of enjoying diverse foods without guilt. He emphasizes self-discovery and the need for a healthier relationship with food, urging others to shift their mindset towards body positivity and self-acceptance.
Bob's journey highlights the transformation from restrictive eating patterns to embracing intuitive eating, fostering a healthier relationship with food.
Through his coaching experience, Bob learned to challenge negative body image beliefs and prioritize mindfulness, enhancing his overall well-being.
Deep dives
Struggles with Disordered Eating
Bob, a 52-year-old fitness industry veteran, recognized that his relationship with food was troubled, particularly manifesting as disordered eating patterns. His primary challenge was consistent under-eating, which impacted his quality of life, sleep, and performance. Previously reliant on rigid meal plans, he discovered that such approaches did not address the underlying emotional and mental obstacles preventing a healthier relationship with food. Instead of merely following a diet, he sought support that would help him navigate these deeper issues and encourage intuitive eating.
The Impact of Food on Performance
Before receiving coaching, Bob noticed a significant decline in his physical performance, leading to his realization that his eating habits were unsustainable. He often felt mechanical in his meal choices, opting for the same low-calorie options each day, which left him feeling unsatisfied and fatigued. This lack of proper nutrition resulted in disrupted sleep and diminished energy levels. Bob's experience underscores how inadequate nutrition not only affects physical performance but can also lead to broader health challenges.
Transforming the Relationship with Food
Through coaching, Bob learned to embrace a more flexible approach to food, recognizing that it was permissible to enjoy a variety of different foods outside of strict meal plans. He began to challenge the restrictive beliefs he held about certain food groups, realizing that moderation and enjoyment are crucial components of a balanced diet. By allowing himself to eat diverse options, he was able to meet his nutritional needs, mentally and emotionally reconnect with food, and now feels freer to dine out without fear of judgment. This transformation highlights the importance of cultivating a healthy mindset towards food and recognizing that no food is inherently 'bad'.
Addressing Body Image and Mindfulness
Bob's journey has also involved unraveling issues related to body image and embracing mindfulness when eating. He acknowledged that his past focus on appearance often overshadowed his appreciation for the body's capabilities. With recent health challenges, such as gallbladder surgery, he has been forced to slow down and eat mindfully, allowing him to better tune into how food affects his body. This newfound perspective fosters a more positive relationship with his body, emphasizing its strength and resilience over aesthetic concerns.
This week, we are excited to share a Client interview from our 1:1 coaching program. Join Coach Christina and her former client, Bob, as they discuss his journey of overcoming some long standing restrictive behaviors to learn how to properly fuel his body and take good care of himself.
We all have different challenges, backgrounds, habits, and lifestyles. Bob shares his story as veteran of the fitness industry, with a long history of dieting and body image struggles, even from a young age. He got to a point in his life where he realized he didn't really know how to eat. Through patience, commitment, and willingness to do the inner work, Bob was able to improve his relationship with his food and his body. He learned how to recognize and trust his hunger cues, properly fuel for training and recovery, and diversify his food choices.
We covered a lot of topics, including:
Why Bob reached out in the first place and what made the Confident Eating approach different than things he had tried in the past.
What his biggest challenges were before our work together and the obstacles he has overcome since.
What it means to do the inner work of self discovery to overcome long held habits and beliefs around food and body image.
Thanks to Bob for being our guest on this week's episode and sharing his valuable experience!
Connect with Georgie and the Confident Eaters Coaches:
Have you ever thought, "I know what to do, I just need to consistently do it"? Who hasn't? Sometimes we need accountability. Sometimes we need specific strategies, new tools, or a bit of help. If you want help to learn to become a confident, sensible eater with 1:1 shame-free personalized attention, sign up here.
If you are someone who struggles with binge eating or emotional eating, be sure to check out Coach Georgie's other podcast Breaking Up With Binge Eating.
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