On this pre-election episode, Sami and Aleen are back to talk about overcoming election anxiety and getting yourself out of a self-care rut. They start by recognizing a major omission from last episode’s Halloween candy conversation: the almighty Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Then they dive into how stress has caused a “relapse” in their intuitive eating journey, and how they figured out a healthy way to get out of the rut. They talk about stocking up on election-night snacks and tell us what they’ll be doing on November 3rd to get through it (including a great idea for a presidential cake reveal). Next, they share their Non Scale Wins of the week, which leads to a conversation about cleaning out your closet and buying jeans based on how comfortably they fit, not which size they have on the tag. Finally, they close the show with a dress recommendation for all seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sami and Aleen start this week’s Dear DST episode with a debate about their favorite Halloween candies (and try to figure out WTF nougat is anyway). They tell us how they plan to spend the holiday and which candies they’ll be eating. Then they respond to an email from a listener who felt insulted when she got confused for a coworker, leading her to question her body image. How should we respond when someone compares our body to others in an unflattering way? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Aleen and Sami are joined by registered dietitian Colleen Christensen (@no.food.rules on IG) to talk about what it means to be a “non-diet” dietitian. They start with some practical tips for approaching nutrition without a diet mindset, which sounds impossible tbh, but it’s not. She tells us how to focus more on what makes our bodies feel good, not just what might make us lose weight. They talk about being honest with yourself about what you actually enjoy eating, and examine the urge to rebel against diet culture by consuming things we don’t actually want (like the 10 brownies we shoved in our mouths at 2AM). Plus, they discuss why perfectionists are often drawn to dieting and being “that girl” amongst their friends. Next, they share some of the food rules that you may not even realize you’re following. Finally, they read a listener Non Scale Win and offer their own wins of the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s Dear DST episode starts with a recap of Sami and Aleen’s weekend getaway and a story about stargazing that resulted in an embarrassing fall. Then they respond to a listener who had been working with a diet coach but transitioned to intuitive eating, even though the people close to her have continued with their hardcore diets. How do you maintain your intuitive eating journey if you’re constantly being inundated by triggering comments from dieters? They offer some strategies for staying on course (including tips for writing things down) and discuss how to take in those messages without getting derailed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sami and Aleen are back and talking all about the reactions people have to the anti-diet culture conversation. They start out with their response to a social media post about feeling inundated by anti-diet messaging and why being told to “listen to your body” doesn’t work for everyone. Is this a genuine backlash or simply a misunderstanding of the intuitive eating message? They discuss the most common misconceptions about intuitive eating and share more about their progress. Next, they talk about buying the cookies you never let yourself buy and working towards food neutrality, especially with Oreos. Finally, they dive into their Non Scale Wins of the week all about how letting yourself keep food in the house is a form of self care.Thanks to our sponsors: Plush Care: PlushCare makes it easy for you to get the excellent care you need, when you need it. Start your membership today. Go to PlushCare.com/dst to start your FREE 30-day trial. Calm: Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription - which means unlimited acces to Calm’s entire library - at CALM.COM/DST Ship: Update Ship today and let your friends take control of your dating life – because let’s be honest, we all could use a little help in that department. Download Ship in the app store to start getting matched today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s Dear DST, an emailer asks why it has become so hard to carve out time for herself to work out during the pandemic. They discuss the way we all have adjusted to the new free time we each have (or lack thereof) and how that has changed in the past few months. They also talk about not beating yourself up for the habits you’ve formed during quarantine, and share some strategies for getting motivated without it coming from a place of “should”. Finally, they remind us that we’re only working out for ourselves and don’t owe it to anyone else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Aleen and Sami are joined by Sarah Nicole Landry (aka @thebirdspapaya) to talk about learning to love your body and leaving diet culture behind. They talk about early experiences with having your body commented on by others and unlearning the lessons of that trauma. They discuss Sarah’s transition from dieting to embracing body positivity and what that recovery process feels like. Plus, they talk about basing your self-worth on something other than how your body looks in front of others. Next, they explore the impact of pregnancy on our bodies and our self-image, how your own body issues can impact your children, and the value of being vulnerable with your kids. Finally, they finish the show with their Non Scale Wins and a conversation about choosing clothes that fit your body, not trying to change your body to fit your clothes.Thanks to our sponsors: Curology: Get a powerful skincare treatment made for you today! Go to Curology.com/dst for a free 30-day trial, just pay for shipping and handling! Tushy: You use water to clean your body. Time to do that to your butt. Go to HelloTushy.com/DST to get 10% off Home Chef: Home Chef is the #1 customer rated meal kit company. Go to HomeChef.com/dst for $60 off your first month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Dear DST episode, a listener writes in to ask why she’s suddenly afraid of the number on the scale for the first time in her life. They talk about the factors that lead to this change, including living in a time when we’re all less active than ever before. Plus, they discuss the pressures to go back to dieting, and how to actually confront the emotions surrounding the scale. Finally, they reflect on what that number represents for each of us, beyond simply a measure of our weight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Sami and Aleen are joined by Helen Phelan, fitness instructor and founder of Helen Phelan Studio, to talk all about intuitive exercise. They start with a conversation about why it’s time to cancel “shedding for the wedding” and the cultural context that pressures us into wedding norms. Next, they discuss the concept of intuitive exercise, how it relates to intuitive eating, and why it might be the workout answer you’ve been looking for. Plus, they talk about why people exercise to punish themselves and how that leads to unhealthy outcomes. Finally, they read an insightful listener Non Scale Win and share their own wins of the week.Thanks to our sponsors: BOTM: Book of the Month is a fun, commitment-free book subscription, you get to choose a new book each month. Get your first month for just $9.99 with code BETCHES. Brideside: Brideside was founded by women, for women. Visit brideside.com where you can sign up for a free stylist or book a showroom appointment if you’re in NY, Chicago, Charlotte & Boston! And don’t forget to use promo code BETCHESBRIDE for $20 off towards your bridesmaid dress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s Dear DST email features a question about body positivity, and whether or not our insecurities are a bigger turn off than our actual flaws. A listener writes in to ask how to project confidence when you struggle with your own body image. Plus, they read a listener Non Scale Win all about moving on from monitoring and restricting food, then share their own NSWs, which leads to a conversation about avocado toast and letting yourself have that second slice of bread. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices