If I Had an Eating Disorder & HA Again, Here's Exactly What I'd Do

If I Had an Eating Disorder & HA Again, Here's Exactly What I'd Do

If I had to recover from an eating disorder and hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) all over again, what would I do differently? In this episode, I'm reflecting on my own recovery journey and sharing the things I would approach differently knowing what I know now—not only from lived experience, but also as an Accredited Practising Dietitian working with people recovering from eating disorders, RED-S and HA.

Can You Recover Your Period While Exercising? | Exercise & HA Recovery Q&A

Can you recover your period while continuing to exercise? This is one of the most common questions I receive from athletes and active women navigating hypothalamic amenorrhoea (HA) recovery. In this episode, I'm answering your questions about exercise, energy availability, weight gain, performance and period recovery. We discuss: * Why athletes are at increased risk of HA and RED-S * Why HA occurs and what your body is trying to communicate * The importance of restoring energy availability * Why being at a healthy weight for your body matters * My personal experience recovering from HA while continuing to train * Whether exercise causes overshoot weight gain * Fear of eating more and gaining weight as an athlete * Concerns about losing fitness during recovery * How to move safely without threatening recovery * Whether you can continue exercising and still regain your period As always, recovery is highly individual, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. My goal is to help you better understand the principles behind HA recovery so you can make informed decisions that support both your health and performance. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with someone who may find it helpful.

You Are Not Your Eating Disorder

You are not your eating disorder. In this episode, I explore the concept of externalising the eating disorder and why learning to separate yourself from the illness can be such a powerful recovery tool. We discuss the difference between your healthy self and eating disorder self, why intelligent people can still believe irrational eating disorder thoughts, and how strengthening your healthy voice can help you make decisions that align with your true values rather than the illness. Topics discussed: * What it means to externalise the eating disorder * Healthy self vs eating disorder self * Egosyntonic and egodystonic aspects of eating disorders * Why recovery can feel like an internal battle * How externalising can reduce shame and self-blame * Strengthening the healthy voice and reconnecting with your values I hope this episode helps you see that the eating disorder is something you experience—not who you are. 🤍

The Hard Truth About Eating Disorder Recovery

Recovery doesn't happen when you finally feel ready. In this episode, I chat about one of the hardest truths about eating disorder recovery: at some point, you have to step outside of your comfort zone. Whether it's eating more, giving up calorie counting, gaining weight, taking a rest day, or challenging a fear food, recovery often requires us to do things that feel scary before they feel safe. Waiting until it feels comfortable can keep us stuck for years. I share my own experiences with recovery, why discomfort doesn't mean danger, and how some of the most important recovery milestones once felt completely impossible. If you've ever felt like you know what you need to do but can't bring yourself to do it, this episode is for you. Topics discussed: * Why recovery feels so uncomfortable * Why waiting until you're "ready" can keep you stuck * Giving up calorie counting and other safety behaviours * Challenging fear foods, weight gain, and rest * The "cast" analogy and letting go of the eating disorder * Why confidence comes after action, not before

Eating Disorder Recovery on a Budget

In this episode, I discuss eating disorder recovery when money is a barrier, including affordable nutrition strategies, free sources of support, the importance of seeking help early, and how to identify when "I can't afford recovery" may actually be the eating disorder talking.