Podcast Episode #45: Women, Body Image, Emotional Eating, and Real Health
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Episode #45- Women, Body Image, Emotional Eating, and Real Health with special guest Stefani Ruper of PaleoForWomen.com!
News:
Read about workshops here, or find one near you here!
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We’re nearly booked up for Fall 2012! Make sure you check for events near you!
What we’re up to in the Workshop “off-season…”
July 13-15: Diane and Liz will be at the CrossFit Games in Los Angeles, CA
July 20: Diane will speak about nutrition at the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Conference.
August 7: Diane’s book, Practical Paleo, released!
August 9-11: Ancestral Health Symposium in Cambridge, MA
Show Links:
PaleoforWomen.com
Some of topics and questions we discussed:
Why the frack we’re so indulgent of these “leaning out” obsessions with women. Is it because we’re just not aware of how damaging it is? Or am I swinging in the pendulum too far in the opposite direction and being apologist for some kind of quote-”imperfect” body?
Body image, body fat levels, what is healthy? What isn’t healthy? menstruation and fertility as signs of health,
Low body fat and lean-looking people are often not healthy, especially women
Bodybuilders, endurance athletes, dancers, etc- women who stop menstruating with low body fat or as a result of chronic stress
Stress and its effect on health/body composition/body image
The CrossFit community’s impact on these topics, positive and negative
Click here to download the episode as an MP3.
The episodes are currently available in iTunes, Stitcher & Blog Talk Radio.
#1.
Jennifer asks,
How can I get myself to stop overeating and just eat enough? How can I get myself to stop overeating and just eat enough? I have this tendency to eat until all the food is gone, regardless of what I’m eating: veggies and protein, or a treat. Then I feel sick, in my stomach and in my head, for doing it. I of course or tell myself that I won’t do It again, but I end up doing it anyway. The worry and fullness won’t let me sleep and it’s getting hard to achieve the last of the fat loss I want to accomplish. Worst of all, I feel out of control. I’m not losing fat regardless of all my efforts. I feel tired often because I can’t sleep because of the over analyzing and panicking for doing things better “starting tomorrow”. what tips or thoughts can you share with me to regulate myself and be balanced? I seriously want to feel content and in control of my mind, body, and choices. Extra info: I’m 33, weigh 142lb. I Crossfit 4 times a week. I used to run some mornings, but in the last few months I’ve been too tired for running. Could be the lack of sleep. I eat Paleo and really enjoy it! I used to weigh 170 2 yrs ago, 220 at 19. I try to eat Clean, and I don’t regret it, but peer pressure from my friends that just seem to never gain weight makes me think sometimes it’s ok to indulge in sweets. For the most part I’m ok staying away, and I mostly do because eating them is a slippery slope for me. Sweets are like Pringles. Get me started and it’s hard to stop! Stop me or too long and ten I’ll over do it if I ave just some. This is why I haven’t been able to complete one 21DSD: I’m not balanced enough in my mind to just see it as a project. My mind wants to do it as a way to police me and make me feel guilty if I mess up. Yup… What a mess! I may indulge in one or 2 beers once a month or longer. The gluten kills me! But it’s oh so tasty! for the most part if I were to drink I’ll go or some good liquor, neat or with soda water. But I rarely drink at all. This is it. I’m otherwise a happy meat and veggies and fat eater.
#2.
Jordain asks,
Hi Ladies! I’m desperately seeking advice on how to handle something that I have been struggling with for three years now. I’ve stopped menstruating, and at 17 years old this is frightening because I very much want to be able to have a family of my own one day. A little background: My entire life I was overweight, inactive, and ate less than stellar choices when it came to nutrition. However, I finally saw the light and decided to take charge of my health. To make a long story short, I began exercising more and eating less. It worked! I lost 50 pounds in a healthy manner in about a year and couldn’t have been more proud of myself. Here’s the bad news—in the process I stopped having a monthly cycle and developed an unhealthy relationship with food (more on that later). I researched my dilemma and assumed my period would return after my body had “adjusted”. However, it’s been 3 years and still no aunt flo! About 6 months ago I had my first gyno appt. to discuss the matter. To my disappointment I was put on a birth control pill, but not given a clear reason as to why I wasn’t having a cycle. I feel as if I was only given a band-aid. The pill hasn’t worked and all I want is to be fertile and healthy. I am 5’2 and my weight stays between 108-110. I guess you could say I’m very petite, and admittedly I’m very lean. I’m a huge perfectionist and I’m easily stressed. For the last three years I have been dealing with family and body image issues. It seems as if all I see is the notion that less food and more exercise is better. SO frustrating. I’m sick of comparing myself to others. In an attempt to regulate my cycle I’ve recently cut back on my strength training program —4 days of lifting and on 2 off days I may do a conditioning circuit or run sprints depending on how I feel. I’m never really hungry, and my appetite is very sluggish. Do I need to eat more? Exercise less? I already feel as if I do the bare minimum compared to others I see while eating more. As a teenager, what is your opinion on the best way to go about a paleo diet (more carbs, less fat, etc.)? Thank you SO MUCH for taking time to read over this loaded question. I truly look up to both of you as healthy role models in a world so consumed by aesthetics. I feel so helpless, and I want my health and fertility back! Non-paleo foods: dairy and casein protein powder almost daily, grains such as quinoa every so often
#3.
A different Jennifer asks,
I recently had a check-up with my gynocologist due to a lack of menstruation. I have been eating a Paleo diet for almost a year and a half and my periods have been sporadic for the last year. When I do have a period they are 40-50 days apart and only last a day or so; they are not true periods in that I haven’t been ovulating. My doctor completed a sonogram of my ovaries, uterus, etc. everything checked out fine. The next step was bloodwork. She informed me that my TSH was high; hence, hypothyroidism. Her next step is meds, of course. I had read Chris Kresser’s Hypothyroidism Series even before this bloodwork was done, and I just don’t think that could be the cause of my missed periods. I feel healthy otherwise – I don’t lack energy – it’s only the missed periods that concern me. I know this is somewhat of a blanket question as there are so many factors that play a role in a woman’s cycle, but any advice would be appreciated. Perhaps there are other common causes, us Paleo women encounter, that can cause amenorrhea that I am overlooking? As far as my diet is concerned I am fairly strict. I get good amounts of meat, veggies, and fats. I do minimize the fruit; maybe a few servings a week, and include starches like sweet potatoes post work-out. Fish oil is the only supplement I take – not on any meds. Periods have been regular in the past; although, I spent several years on birth control. Since I gave up on the birth control (over a year ago) my period has yet to return. I exercise about 5 days a week, usually 20 minutes. Some days are for heavy lifting and others include sprinting or plyometrics. Sleep is decent, but could be better — usually 7-8 hrs a night, but I wake up often. Oh, by the way ya’ll are fantastic! I listen to you two every week and I just know that you’ll give me some sort of information I can put to good use. Appreciate everything you do!!!
#4.
Kate asks,
I went back through your Women’s Health Podcasts and you briefly mentioned that women who have recently taken themselves off birth control should be much tighter with their diets. Can you expand upon that? What part(s) of coming off birth control after 12ish years makes you vulnerable to metabolic/insulin/hormonal issues? I thought that my body would immediately be better but now understand that it can take up to 6 months or maybe more for my body to normalize. For additional info, I was in a pretty bad car accident almost 2 weeks ago. No broken bones or major injuries (thank God) but trying to be easy on myself in the way of exercise. By the way, I love love love the show and you both have inspired me to enroll at Bauman so I can attempt to help myself and other people even a fraction as much as you help your listeners/readers. Went on Paleo approx 1 year ago. Stress/hormones/will power have been my biggest issues. As most, I started out great and petered out. Today, I’ve started the Sugar Detox (again) to really shore up my issues. Sleep is good most nights. Occasionally have to cut it short due to work scheduling but otherwise aim for 8+ hrs a night. As I said above, exercise is slow right now. The last few months of last year were great and I was very dedicated to a weight lifting routine I made up for myself. This year has not been consistent. I plan on building back up to hitting the gym by walking a lot and doing light weight bearing exercise at home. I don’t do Crossfit but I have a nice 24hr gym with weight equipment, barbells, and dumbbells available that I go to. Biggest non-paleo vices right now include tons of cheese, corn tortillas, and sugar. I have these items 3+/week. I am not drinking alcohol right now at all as I know it won’t help matters. I have had recent gluten exposures probably 1/week for the past 3 weeks.
Click here to submit questions.
Cheers!
Diane & Liz
About the author
Charissa Talbot is the Communication Coordinator for Balanced Bites and Lead Moderator for The 21 Day Sugar Detox. She has been a Fitness Professional for over five years and is currently a student studying Holistic Health Care at the South West Institute of the Healing arts while under the mentorship of Diane Sanfilippo.
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