I'm sure many of you have experienced this, especially after spending time with family during the holidays. Whether it's a recent struggle or an ongoing issue, the key question is why you don't want to eat. Yes, it might sound cliché, and you probably saw it coming from me, but it's crucial because your answer guides the approach.

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. 

There is a cultural shift within the Orthodox Jewish community due to the internet, where appearance ideals have become pervasive, challenging the community's perceived protective measures. The learning curve lies in recognizing these changes and understanding that even with a more insular lifestyle, the community is not immune to the impact of societal influences on body image and eating habits.

When someone firmly establishes a boundary, that’s part of what we’d call being assertive. These qualities go hand in hand. For a lot of folks, it’s the hardest thing to do and we practice doing so in recovery. In contrast, there are totally those who don’t have a problem with voicing their opinions and clearly stating their boundaries but it can come across as pretty aggressive. I don’t consider the “aggressive” way of interacting assertive. In fact, it’s the other side of the same issue as not speaking up enough. That’s why I say 100% of people struggle with assertiveness because it comes from one side or another.

Let’s first acknowledge that there is no fixed framework for the therapeutic relationship. We know that each person's experience is unique. How close we get to the edges of this metaphorical frame varies from person to person and might change over time. But ultimately, most sessions follow a set of “rules”.

The AAP put out new guidelines on obesity and weight loss in children, and they’re horrifying. Today, Jessica Setnick of Understanding Nutrition and Eating Disorder Hope are breaking down why they’re so insane.

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

Jennifer McGurk is the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, a coaching practice empowering non-diet dietitians to grow their practice. She is also the owner of Eat With Knowledge, a group private practice in New York. On top of that, Jennifer is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a heart. Her mission is to aid every client to be at peace with food, help them in their eating disorder recovery, and as well as to get support and accountability in building a business.

In this episode, we will be navigating the relationship between success, business, wellness, and diet culture. We talk about how hustle culture is so similar to diet culture and how we can make peace with where we are at in business as well as with our relationship with food. Tune in to today’s session and find out more.