Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?

Shared Struggles of Addiction and the Ethics of Choosing to Die

Learning more about the reality of day-to-day life with Anorexia and perhaps seemingly odd actions that an addict (or person with an eating disorder) might do simply because of their disease will likely lift the cloud of judgment, shame, and misunderstanding toward someone you love.  
While I’ve shared some tid-bits about weighing myself and going on long walks as part of my obsessive way of dealing with my mental health, there were things I didn’t share until now, perhaps because of shame or guilt or embarrassment. Well, you get to hear about them now! 
As I share them, echoes of Matthew Perry’s own fight with addiction make me realize how close to death I truly was. I remember what it was like not to care about life or death, only about what I could eat with the fewest amount of calories. 
 
In this episode, you also hear: 
A raw encounter that turned scoffs into empathy among a group of young men 
Confessions of past actions that still weigh heavy with regret 
The ethical dilemmas around Canada's potential MAID legislation for mental health issues 
 
Must-listen moments:  
[00:11:09] Personal stories of shame and secretive behaviors related to my eating disorder, treatment complexities, and ethical implications of MAID for chronic conditions. 
[00:21:10] Gratitude for support, invite questions, love and well-wishes, Serenity Prayer to persevere and remember worth. 
  
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com 
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Navigating the Realities of Trauma and Recovery

Does time really heal all wounds? What about the wounds you never talk about? Without opening up about your experiences and getting the help you need, it’s almost inevitable to fall into a pattern of hitting rock bottom and relapsing.   
In this episode, Deena and Brian discuss how unresolved trauma impacts Deena’s family relationships and the support that truly helped her move forward in recovery despite ongoing challenges.       
In this episode, you also hear: 
Root causes of eating disorders  
Fallacy that time heals all wounds  
Filling your life raft with coping tools  
 
Must-listen moments:  
[00:05:05] But when you're looking at an eating disorder, people think it's all about the food, which it's not...you're dealing with a mental illness that has physical symptoms, and the physical symptoms are what's killing you. 
[00:10:07] The fact is that trauma exists and we've never addressed the trauma, we've just gone over it and let time heal it. And I think that's a big fallacy that we have is somehow time heals all wounds. 
[00:17:21] What I feel recovery has taught me...is that it provided me to build some type of life raft that keeps me afloat during really either destructive times or hard times, difficult times in my life, that I know, on that life raft, that I have certain things that I can reach out and they can help me through those times. 
  
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com 
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

The Never-Ending Path of Recovery

As with any relationship, your relationship with food can experience a varying range of highs and lows, especially for those recovering from an eating disorder. Some days might feel manageable while others feel like you’ve made zero progress.      
In this episode, Deena describes the complexities of her relationship with food, the realities of recovery, and why it’s crucial to reach out for help when you need it most.  
In this episode, you also hear: 
Navigating guilt around food indulgences  
Misconceptions about willpower  
False relapses and encouragement for recovery  
  
Must-listen moments:  
[00:00:30] My relationship with food is obviously complicated. Even with all these years that have passed, there's days that I am just fine, can make it, eat it, move on with life. Other days there is a struggle.  
[00:12:25] Changing my thoughts and actions was going to take time. And that's why I really believe in long term care. 
[00:18:00] I want you to remember and I have to remind myself the best thing I can do when I get in those moments is try and pull myself out and reach out to somebody and say this is what I'm feeling.  
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com 
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 
  

Under Control - Your Negative Inner Voice

Most people are familiar with the depiction of having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, both trying to influence your decisions. But what if you only have a devil, a negative voice, hijacking your thoughts that never ceases to stop?   
In this episode, Deena illustrates working through an unsupportive and unrelenting inner voice and the relief of finding support to soften the noise inside your head.    
In this episode, you’ll also hear: 
When the inner voice is loudest and quietest   
Battling overwhelming negative self-talk 
Embracing the strength of your own voice  
Must-listen moments:  
[00:4:59] I think one of the reasons to go to all these meetings was because then you get outside of your own head, and you're dealing with people, and you're surrounding yourself with people that are supporting you. 
[00:08:55] There's times that I did not listen to the voice, but then the guilt that would come after that fact was more than I could bear. It wants you to harm yourself. It wants you to die. It wants to take all life out of you.  
[00:11:40] As I got further and further into treatment, I liked who I was becoming. I liked that I now had a voice. I felt like people always spoke for me rather than me speaking for myself.  
 
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com 
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

My Journey Toward Healing from Anorexia

Happy New Year! Deena’s story serves as an incredible inspiration to those struggling with addiction or eating disorders, and the friends and family who support them, to never give up hope. 
In this episode, Deena walks through her past traumas, challenges with treatment, and what it’s like to let go of perfection and focus on recovery day by day.  
In this episode, you’ll also hear: 
Acknowledging unresolved family trauma 
Details about Deena’s eating disorder and treatment journey 
Struggling through the process of recovery  
Must-listen moments:  
[00:6:03] My family was great at coming together when there was a crisis, but not so much when it was just the day in, day out kind of day. 
[00:15:58] When you replace the why of why this is happening to me with what is this trying to teach me, everything kind of shifts. 
[00:20:16] It's a family disease. It's a silent killer. And my focus and what I would like to do in my lifetime is to bring awareness to the world that there are eating disorders out there and there are people that are really suffering and families that are suffering. 
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com 
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Coping with Depression During the Holidays

The holidays aren’t always jolly for everyone and it’s okay to not be in the best of spirits. 
In this episode, Deena shares why tuning into your feelings is crucial to self-care, how the question “are you okay?” can open doors for help, and tips for addressing depression.       
In this episode, you’ll also hear:
Listening to your body and giving it what it needs 
Details about Australia’s “R U OK?” nonprofit 
Advice for managing depression during the holidays 
 
Must-listen moments: 
[00:4:04] I think some days it works and some days it doesn't…it's not a magic pill. I still have to deal with my feelings. 
[00:08:17] There's this nonprofit organization in Australia and they started this thing called R U OK?. They've used it as suicide prevention and it's encouraging all of us to notice the signs of mental health in others…inspiring everyone to connect with people around them and start a conversation with others who are struggling with life.
[00:15:08] I think some of the best things that you can do if you are living with depression…set yourself realistic goals. Keep your life simple. Do the things that you have to do, follow your treatment guidelines.
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
R U OK? - https://www.ruok.org.au/
 
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources. 
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?

Battling Perfectionism and Self-Criticism

Setting goals is great, but overburdening yourself with unrealistic expectations and difficult demands can hinder your progress and recovery.  
In this episode, Deena emphasizes the significance of self-care during the holiday season and shares how she combats being her own worst critic, along with a powerful reminder that progress, not perfection, is the real goal.      
 
In this episode, you’ll also hear:
Rigid routines and excessive demands of perfectionism     
Feeling unrecognized and knowing your triggers
Recognizing self-criticism and the need for affirmations 
Must-listen moments: 
[00:3:55] Perfectionism and eating disorders is a really complex battle. Perfectionism is never attainable. 
[00:11:38] I think it's important to identify, especially now during the holidays, the cycle that you're going through, identifying what triggers you.
[00:17:37] I've had to learn how to give myself those affirmations and not always have to get them from other people.
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources. 
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?
 

The Role of “Control” in the Context of Eating Disorders

Today, we unravel the complex relationship between eating disorders and control. We share our personal experiences, discussing how feeling powerless in various aspects of life can drive the need for control through food and body image.  
Deena and Brian explore how childhood experiences and traumatic events can trigger such conditions and emphasize the significance of confronting underlying issues and seeking professional help to overcome them.  
Deena examines the internal chaos, constant food thoughts, and fear of losing control associated with eating disorders. She stresses the importance of acceptance and courage to make necessary changes, reminding everyone that they're not alone and that help is always available.  
Our commitment is to use contributions to support organizations specializing in eating disorders. Stay tuned and continue the fight towards recovery. Remember, you're never alone in this battle, and there's always a supportive community ready to help. 
In this episode, you’ll also hear: 
How being a latch-key-kid affected Deena, driving a wider gap between she and her brothers 
When Brian’s role officially shifted from partner and spouse to caregiver 
What Deena’s first few days in treatment were like and why healing was such an emotional process  
Must-listen moments:  
(00:05) Dealing with Eating Disorders and Control 
(09:25) Eating disorders and Control Explained 
(16:40) Resources and Support for Eating Disorders 
 
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com 
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Pregnancy, Eating Disorders, and the Journey Towards Hope

Just because you’ve ever had an eating disorder does not mean you can never have a baby. Although eating disorders can disrupt your body’s natural cycles, it’s still very possible for you to recover and have a family someday.  
In this episode, Deena sheds light on the traumatic events that led to her eating disorder, how she’s managed the guilt of multiple miscarriages, and shares a hopeful message for those grappling with the complexities of pregnancy and recovery.     
In this episode, you’ll also hear: 
What triggered Deena’s eating disorder 
Eating disorders impact on periods and fertility  
Struggles with pregnancy, miscarriages, and guilt  
Must-listen moments:  
[00:4:19] One of the first things that started happening was I got so thin that I lost my period. I was probably in my eating disorder for at least 10 years but probably I lost my period for at least 8 of those. 
[00:11:33] I still blame myself, I still have a lot of guilt as to what I've done to my body over the years…but God blessed us with 5 great kids.  
[00:17:07] I know if I've gone through it and felt it, then somebody out there has felt it as well. And I want to give them hope. 
 
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com 
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next? 

Facing the Holidays with an Eating Disorder

Holiday stress can amplify eating disorders, addiction, and body image issues. Having a clear plan and support system is critical to managing these particularly stressful times for those in recovery.  
In this episode, Deena and Brian address how to prepare for the holidays, what social media doesn’t show, and why increasing awareness is vital to combating eating disorder statistics.   
In this episode, you’ll also hear: 
Navigating holiday stress  
Impact of social media on body image 
Raising awareness about eating disorders  
Must-listen moments:  
[00:3:44] To somebody who's either in recovery or just starting out in recovery, really think about what's my plan and be able to have an answer for that. If you do, you'll be really successful in navigating some of the stress of the holidays.   
[00:06:13] I know it's hard to accept yourself and what you look like, especially with today's standards. You have the Kardashians, and you have everybody else in social media…you see people on Instagram, and everybody wants to use these filters. 
[00:16:24] NIDA, National Eating Disorder Association, provides a National Eating Disorder Week, and for 2024, it will be held from February 26th through March 1st, 2024.  
 
Thank you for listening. Whether you’re suffering from an eating disorder or you’re a caring friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you via email at eatthatfat@gmail.com 
Contribute a few bucks to the “Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?” Patreon to help cover production costs and the coordination and provision of resources.  
Whether you’re in recovery or currently in your eating disorder, you’re invited to join our FREE Facebook Group, “Are You Going to Eat Your Fat?” where you’ll find helpful recovery guidance, quotes, and support multiple times a week. There are already 33 members! Will you be next?