As a mother myself, I've experienced firsthand the pressures of bounce-back culture. It's everywhere - from social media ads to casual conversations. The expectation to quickly return to your pre-pregnancy body after carrying a human for 40 weeks and giving birth is, quite frankly, absurd.

I firmly believe that the key lies in early detection and prevention. Whether you're a psychiatrist pediatrician, therapist, or dietitian, your ability to recognize the early signs of disordered eating and intervene can truly make a world of difference. It's about becoming part of the solution, steering individuals away from the brink of despair, and towards a path of healing and recovery.

When we talk about eating disorders, the conversation often revolves around body image – from the harmful effects of body shaming to the empowering message of body positivity. But there's another aspect of this conversation that often goes overlooked: beauty ideals.

Here’s the thing, eating disorders don’t have a look. It’s a myth that eating disorders are typically portrayed by a “skinny” individual. But the reality is far from that stereotype. Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their outward appearance. They don't discriminate based on size, shape, or weight.

What comes to mind when you hear the term “body positivity”? First off, it’s become a mainstream concept. Body neutrality, all foods fit, and body positivity are all terms to describe a phase of coming to terms with your body. However, we have to recognize that this approach may not resonate with everyone seeking help. While we shift towards inclusivity, we also inadvertently exclude individuals who may not be ready or comfortable with these concepts. These individuals hear these terms and think “Nope, I want nothing to do with this” and run from treatment. 

In a world driven by absolutes and quick fixes, where opinions often seem black or white, it's time to stop for a minute and just think about how complex the situation really is. Let’s embrace the nuance in our decision-making, whether it pertains to nutrition, relationships, or any other aspect of life.

As I sat down with Dr. Gaudiani, she wasted no time in emphasizing the personalized and intricate nature of eating disorders. These conditions are shaped by a complex interplay of genetics and an array of factors still shrouded in mystery. Dr. Gaudiani made it clear that the web of complexities surrounding eating disorders extends far beyond our current comprehension, revealing the need for a bespoke approach to treatment.

So what if your journey through your eating disorder recovery isn’t going the way you had thought it would go?

You made huge strides with eating- you eat all the macros, eat way more frequently than you had before, and you challenge yourself with foods, but you still feel obsessive and anxious; you just feel you are not quite there yet.

You feel something is off. For sure, it feels a lot better than before; after all, you are eating and feeling more energized than ever! But completely free from the shackles of your eating disorder?

Learn more about eating disorder therapy and treatment in NYC and Brooklyn with Rachelle Heinemann at rachelleheinemann.com.

How do you accept your body when you don’t really like your body?

I get this question SO often, and the reason I haven’t addressed it sooner is because there’s really no magic answer to improve body image.

There’s nothing I can say in this post that will revolutionize your body image – but I’m hoping it can help your brain start to think about it a little differently.

Learn more about eating disorder therapy and treatment in NYC and Brooklyn with Rachelle Heinemann at rachelleheinemann.com.

I get asked ALL the time why I don’t endorse intentional weight loss and dieting. Here, I answer this question and address why trying to lose weight AND heal your relationship with food won’t work. We’ll discuss what “healthy” means, what to do instead of dieting, and how intuitive eating plays a role. Find more information on disordered eating, eating disorder treatment, and deep work therapy in NYC and Brooklyn on my website.

We can talk about positive body image and healthy self-esteem all day… but how do we actually get there? Body image is so intertwined in your relationship with food and yourself, and therefore healing from an eating disorder. Use these 7 tips for maintaining positive body image, from better sleep to affirmations to stress management and more. Find more information on disordered eating, eating disorder treatment, and deep work therapy in NYC and Brooklyn on my website.

In this episode we have the honor of hanging out with one of New York City's best therapists, named by New York Magazine, Jennifer Glass. Jennifer graduated from NYU with a master's in social work, completed her post grad training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at Training Institute for Mental health, and has a private practice in NYC.

In this conversation, we dive right into how to use curiosity to develop resilience, and how this then provides us with intentional choice. Goodbye harmful comparisons!