In this episode, Victoria Kleinsman interviews eating disorder recovery coach Tabitha Farrar about her experiences helping clients recover from eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. They discuss the recovery process for those with additional diagnoses like autism or OCD, dealing with fears around weight gain and health implications of eating more, as well as Tabitha’s own journey to recovery. Expect candid stories and practical advice for supporting loved ones with eating disorders.
Main Discussion Points:
- Recovery process and adaptations needed for those with autism, OCD, or trauma histories [00:00:20]
- Knowing when you are fully recovered and your brain is “rewired” [00:03:54]
- Taking a “sledgehammer” approach at first by acting opposite to eating disorder urges [00:01:10]
- Missing extreme hunger once it’s passed – it’s normal [00:38:58]
- Tabitha’s journey giving up excessive exercise cold turkey [00:23:56]
- Ideas around taking time off work to focus on recovery [00:45:52]
Quotes:
“We have to be accountable for our actions. Your eating disorder cannot physically make your legs run a 10k every morning.” [00:14:52]
“I decided, look. You’re gonna gain weight. It’s gonna happen. So you may as well enjoy it because I could choose to gain weight and engage with all those negative emotions and have an awful time.” [00:31:53]
On giving up exercise: “I just decided I’m I’m stopping, and I meant it, and I stopped…I thought that all hell would break loose, and it just kinda didn’t. It was just fine.” [00:24:55]
