The Full Plate Podcast with Abbie Attwood, MS

The amazing and brilliant Dr. Rachel Millner is on the pod to talk about what's on her plate (literally, and figuratively!), her own journey with an eating disorder as a clinician, and to share wisdom and insights into parenting in our thin-obsessed culture. We also get into the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelnes and how they will harm the mental and physical health of this generation of children, as well as future generations.  Topics discussed: Raising children from a HAES / weigh-inclusive perspective Weight stigma in childhood from parents and doctors Rachel’s relationship with food growing up, and how it differed from her siblings Growing up without body trust “Atypical anorexia” as a diagnosis of weight bias and anti-fatness The harm of complimenting weight-loss Knowing you have an eating disorder and not wanting to recover What it takes to recover when you don’t feel committed to healing The AAP guidelines on higher weight children, and the damage it will do to the health and wellbeing of kids Marginalized communities, anti-fatness, and anti-blackness Fighting back against weight stigma in the doctor’s office Dealing with diet culture in schools and with teachers Addressing your own anti-fat bias on the path to healing   Rachel Millner, Psy.D. (she/her) is a psychologist, supervisor, and fat activist in private practice in Pennsylvania. Rachel has been working with those with eating disorders, disordered eating, and those wanting to heal their relationship with food and body since 2005. Rachel provides fat positive therapy that is rooted in social justice, body trust (r), and fat liberation.  In addition to her clinical work, Rachel frequently gives talks on topics such as eating disorders in higher weight people, providers struggling with eating disorders, and providing fat positive therapy. Rachel has been interviewed for numerous publications about eating disorders and has been interviewed on many podcasts about her work. More on Rachel: https://www.rachelmillnertherapy.com/   Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate   Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon.    Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast  Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Learn more about working with Abbie: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Christy Harrison, RD MPH CEDS, joins Abbie on the pod to talk all things wellness culture. This conversation is such an important one, as they explore how the diet culture contrived version of wellness preys on those with medical conditions, is steeped in healthism, and perpetuates misinformation about pseudo-scientific diagnoses. Christy's second book, "The Wellness Trap", just released last week, so you'll also get to her more of the BTS on her book launch and writing process in this episode, too! Topics discussed: Our love affair with chips of all kinds Christy's experience launching her second book in a different stage of life and as a new mom Creating boundaries and protecting your mental and emotional well-being on social media Wellness misinformation during pregnancy and postpartum Debunking dubious diagnoses: "adrenal fatigue", "candida overgrowth", and "leaky gut" How our consumption of social media influences our experience of diet and wellness culture The spread of misinformation and disinformation about health conditions How fearing food harms our health and wellbeing Chronic illness and wellness culture Finding trustworthy sources of information How diets cherry-pick insignificant studies or cite studies that don't support their claims The meaning behind Christy's new book cover and new podcast art Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CEDS is a journalist, registered dietitian, and certified intuitive eating counselor. She’s the author of The Wellness Trap: Break Free from Diet Culture, Disinformation, and Dubious Diagnoses and Find Your True Well-Being (coming in April 2023) and Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating.   Christy is also the coauthor, with psychotherapist Judith Matz, of The Making Peace with Food Card Deck. Christy is the producer and host of two podcasts, Rethinking Wellness and Food Psych, which have helped tens of thousands of listeners around the world think critically about diet and wellness culture and develop more peaceful relationships with food. In addition to her media work, Christy offers online courses and private intuitive eating coaching to help people all over the world make peace with food and their bodies. Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon.  Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast  Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Apply for Abbie's summer group coaching cohort: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

You won't want to miss this incredibly healing conversation. Dr. Anita Johnston joins Abbie to discuss the magic of metaphors and story-telling in ED recovery, and how we can return home to our authentic selves to find freedom. They discuss why highly intuitive and deeply feeling people tend to be most vulnerable to eating disorders, and how to use those gifts as superpowers in recovery. Topics covered: How being highly sensitive impacts disordered eating and healing The safety and security that EDs can provide Anita's childhood in Guam and how that shaped her experience with food, body, and herself Our illusion of control in having an eating disorder Storytelling and metaphor in ED treatment Language of recovery and healing Disordered eating thoughts and behaviors as a coping mechanism and distraction Following our joy and authenticity to freedom from diet culture Emotional literacy and boundaries Why those who suffer from EDs are the ones that the world needs most Mothering energy and how to provide that to ourselves Anita Johnston, Ph.D., CEDS is a clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist and supervisor, working in the field of women’s issues and eating disorders for over 35 years. She is the author of the best selling book, Eating in the Light of the Moon and co-creator of the Light of the Moon Cafe, a series of online interactive courses and women’s support circles, and Soul Hunger workshops. She is currently the Clinical Director of Ai Pono Hawaii eating disorder programs with out-patient programs on Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii, and an ocean-front residential program on Maui. Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon.  Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast  Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness  Abbie’s website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com Light of the Moon Cafe: https://lightofthemooncafe.com/ Anita's website: https://dranitajohnston.com/ Find Anita on Instagram: @dranitajohnston   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

We're REALLY getting into it today with this one. Hunger, as a broad topic, is something that I continue to receive the most questions on. We will likely have a part two to this episode in the future, so stay tuned! FAQs covered: What even is hunger? What is the physiology and psychology behind it? What are the signs of hunger that we might be ignoring? Why do we lose our hunger, or become disconnected from the hunger cues themselves? What happens to our appetite and hunger as a result of dieting, accidental under-eating, and / or disordered eating? How can we approach eating when hunger is absent? Abbie's analogy for rebuilding trust with our body and hunger What do we do to get our hunger cues back? Abbie's go-to meals for when hunger feels confusing Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon. Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness  Learn more group coaching with Abbie: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Abbie chats with Dr. Kim Daniels, a licensed clinical psychologist and emotional eating coach, about the biospychosocial components of eating disorders, the diagnosis of binge eating, and how so many factors come together to create our relationship with food and our bodies. Topics discussed: What’s on Kim’s plate right now as a mother, and her current favorite snack Kim's relationship with food and her body as a child How our experience of puberty impacts body image Working in bariatric surgery prior to finding the weight-inclusive approach Binge eating as a diagnosis Assumptions in ED treatment The hurdles of transitioning into anti-diet work The problem with emotional eating and the restrict-binge cycle Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a model for healing our relationship with body and food  Using self-compassion in understanding our parts How to begin using IFS without overwhelm Dr. Kim Daniels is an emotional eating coach with a degree in clinical psychology. She is also trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon.  Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast  Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness  More info on Abbie's monthly "advanced!" group: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Abbie’s website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com  Find Kim on IG: @kimdanielspsyd Kim's website: https://www.drkimdaniels.com/ Upcoming webinar series with Kim: https://bit.ly/eewebinarseries This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

You're in for a treat with this one! Sharon Maxwell (@heysharonmaxwell) joins the pod to chat with Abbie about her experience recovering in a fat body, the cost of delayed eating disorder treatment, weight stigma in recovery, and so much more. Sharon is incredible. She speaks bravely and openly about her ED, her recovery, and the things that both harmed and helped her become the person she is today. You'll want to follow her on IG if you're not already! Some of the topics discussed: Restaurants and leftovers in eating disorder recovery Reclaiming space, energy, and mental capacity through recovery Experiencing medical weight stigma as a young child, and how it leads to avoidance or delay of care Growing up in a religious cult and how that influenced her body image and relationship with food The harms of delayed eating disorder treatment Binge eating and anorexia being assigned to body sizes The difference between thin and fat folks with eating disorders Weight bias in eating disorder treatment centers The fat activism that has to take place at every level of eating disorder support Partial recovery and fat-phobia Where Sharon is in her recovery in this moment and how she is approaching it Sharon Maxwell (She/Her) is a mental health advocate and fat activist. She works as a weight inclusive consultant, providing education to treatment centers and healthcare providers on the immense harms of weight stigma. Due to her lived experience facing weight stigma, Sharon provides unique insight and offers practical tools to make treatment centers and healthcare settings safe and accessible for fat folks. Sharon is passionate about breaking down the stigma around eating disorders and working to eradicate societal anti-fat bias. When she’s not studying or engaged in her activism work, Sharon can be found exploring San Diego with her dog and her best friend. Links mentioned: "You Don't Look Anorexic" in New York Times Magazine Connect with Sharon on IG: @heysharonmaxwell Learn more about Sharon: https://www.heysharonmaxwell.com/ Find Abbie on IG: @abbieattwoodwellness Abbie's website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com Follow Full Plate Pod on IG: @fullplate.podcast Support the show on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Abbie's husband, Jeb, is back on the pod again! They discuss how to support a partner (or friend, loved one, family member) through their recovery. This episode is focused on recovery from chronic dieting and disordered eating, but we also talk a lot about recovery from addiction, given that it Jeb's background.  Topics discussed: What is "recovery", and how can we think about "full" recovery? How Abbie feels about the language of "recovery" and "recovered" Ways Abbie and Jeb have supported one another's healing Communication and boundaries in recovery Asking for support and expressing your needs Commenting on food and bodies How to show up imperfectly for your loved one How to work through and honor the evolution of healing in a partnership Being okay with not understanding everything Feeling helpless as the supporter of someone else's healing Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon. Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Abbie’s website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Oh my, this is a GOOD ONE, fam. Chrissy King joins the pod to talk about her journey through and away from the harms of diet and fitness culture. And of course, her NEW book, The Body Liberation Project, which you should order and read immediately. Topics discussed: Chrissy's experience with dieting and her body image growing up Getting wrapped up in fitness culture and the pursuit of thinness The connection between racism, the patriarchy, the beauty standard, and diet culture Macro counting and psychological distress The difference between body positivity and body liberation Chrissy's rock bottom moment with dieting, and how she moved forward The impact of restriction and deprivation on our mental, emotional, and physical health How diet culture effects our relationships Processing grief in healing out relationship with our body Cultivating joy in our lives without the distraction of dieting Why self-love isn't enough  Lack of inclusivity and diversity in wellness culture Chrissy's advice for taking one small step towards body liberation About Chrissy: Chrissy King is a writer, speaker, educator, and former strength coach with a passion for creating a diverse and inclusive wellness industry.  She empowers individuals to stop shrinking, start taking up space, and use their energy to create their specific magic in the world. With degrees in Social Welfare and Justice and Sociology from Marquette University, Chrissy merges her passion for fitness to inspire members of the wellness industry to create spaces that allow individuals from all backgrounds to seen feel, welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated. Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon. Find Chrissy on IG: @iamchrissyking Order Chrissy's book: https://chrissyking.com/book/ Apply for group coaching with Abbie: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Abbie’s website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Today's episode is extra special, because it's the first time Abbie has had a client on the pod. It's so important that we hear diverse stories and the real talk from people who are "in it". Dory joins the pod to talk about her experience with disordered eating (even though she didn't know it at the time), how she always thought that she was just a binge eater and had to use "will power", the diet that ended her dieting, her experience with healing through community and group coaching, and so much more. If you enjoy hearing from folks who are in the messy middle, please let us know. You can always email the show at fullplatepod@gmail.com with compassionate feedback, questions, or thoughts.   Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon.  Apply for group coaching with Abbie: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching  Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast  Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness  Abbie’s website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Have you been curious about whether an anti-diet / intuitive eating approach can coexist with a food budget, or whether it's possible to meal plan without it being rooted in diet culture? In this episode, Abbie does a deep dive into both of these questions from listeners.  Question 1: Hi Abbie! I’d love to know what you recommend for eating intuitively on a budget. I’ve made so much progress with releasing guilt with food, and incorporating so many things that used to be off-limits, but I’m having trouble approaching it without some financial fears coming up.  My food spending has increased since embracing anti-diet, and I just want to be able to keep healing without feeling this looming restriction hanging over me with money. Thank you if you’re able to answer this! Linda Question 2: Hi, Abbie! I’m curious if you have tips on meal planning without falling into the diet culture mindset. For context, I am a mom of 3 with a pretty demanding job, and I do think it helps me to have some sort of plan for dinners each week. I have a history of dieting and disordered eating, and while I’ve made so much progress (many thanks to your instagram and the Full Plate podcast!), I know I have a lot of work to do on healing my body image and just feeling less crazy about food and exercise. While embarking on this anti-diet journey, it’s occurred to me that my meal planning might be part of the dieting mentality, and maybe even fueling some old disordered eating. But I can’t help but think that it’s still a useful tool in my life to make sure I can feed my family without losing my mind! Hoping you might have some thoughts on how to approach this. Thank you so much for all you do! Megan   Looking for more support on these topics, and a gently structured approach to food freedom? Abbie's April group coaching cohort is open for enrollment: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching  Full Plate is listener-supported (no ads!) so please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes at Patreon.com/fullplate Patreon is also home to the episode transcripts (which are publicly available to everyone, not just our patrons!). If you’re looking for those, head over to Patreon.  Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast  Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness  Abbie’s website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe