I debated a lot of different titles for this post and I still love them all:

• How not to turn Valentine’s Day into another life assignment and presentation of either 1. the worthiness of your relationship or 2. a grand display of “I’m single but I’m so totally ok!”

• Navigating Valentine’s Day while healing your relationship with food and body

• Breaking up with perfectionism on Valentine’s Day

• Navigating Valentine’s Day when you’re an all or nothing kinda human

What does EDNOS mean? EDNOS stands for Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. EDNOS was a primary eating disorder category alongside Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa in the DSM-4. It wasn’t until the publication of the DSM-5 that EDNOS was dropped and renamed Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED). This post will walk you through the history, meaning, and signs of EDNOS/OSFED.

It’s ok if you if overate during the holiday weekend. You didn’t do anything wrong. Overeating is completely normal. It happens sometimes! Especially around the holidays. In this post, I offer 3 tips to help stop the guilt and shame that can arise after overeating.

Hunger is an important and lifesaving message from your body. It’s a signal from your body and brain that you need more energy for optimal functioning. What sucks though is that many of us don’t really learn how to listen to our bodies, and it’s very common to not be able to recognize our hunger. Let’s explore 5 hunger cues that don’t get nearly enough attention!

Do you find it challenging to connect with your hunger cues?

Many people do. Some struggle to describe the body sensations that come with hunger. Others may be able to notice the subtle messages but struggle to acknowledge and listen to them. Some ignore or avoid their hunger cues altogether.

Do any of those sound like you? You are not alone. Listening to our body is a skill that takes practice. Unfortunately, some of us don’t get the practice that we need from our caregivers or grown-ups. Sometimes the root lies in our childhood experiences. Here are four examples…

In my early to mid-twenties, I became obsessed with exercise and controlling my food intake and weight. My weight loss and health pursuits were a major reason why I decided to become a Registered Dietitian. It wasn’t until I had left those behaviors behind and began specializing in eating disorder recovery care that I realized… I too had an eating disorder. It was hard to acknowledge that as truth, but with the help of my therapist I came to claim it as a part of my story. This post is an invitation for everyone—including those in the helping and healing professions—to recognize that their struggles do not diminish their worth.

Merriam-Webster defines freedom as “the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action” and “liberation from restraint or from the power of another.” And I’m a writer so I care a lot about words. I’m always curious about their meaning and how they land. I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard the word freedom so many times in my professional circle it starts to sound like the teacher’s voice in Charlie Brown. It blends in with the noise and blah blah blah blah blah.

I absolutely want freedom for you and with you. It’s just that I’m not entirely sure if that’s possible and I don’t want to bullshit you. Here’s why…

Does your body hold you back?

…From seeking the partners you feel drawn to

…From wearing clothes that feel like an extension of your skin

….From being present with your people, for every bite, every hug, and every photo.