EP 234: Recovering from Disordered Eating Can Feel Impossible ~ 3 Steps to Start Living While Healing Your Relationship with Food

Her Best Self | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast, Disordered Eating, Anorexia, Bulimia, Orthorexia, Body Image, Food Freedom, Calorie Counting, Obsessive Exercise, Food Restriction

Feeling stuck in the "waiting room" of recovery? You're not alone. If you've been telling yourself you'll start living your life "when you're better," this episode is for you.

Recovery coach Lindsey Nichol gets real about why your eating disorder wants you to wait—and why you don't have to. In this intimate 10-minute conversation, she shares three concrete steps you can take today to start pursuing your dreams, even in the messy middle of healing your relationship with food.

This episode is for you if:

• You've put dreams on hold until you're "recovered enough"
• Recovery feels like two steps forward, four steps back
• You're tired of life passing you by while you struggle in secret
• You need hope that recovery is possible, even when it feels impossible

What You'll Discover

✨ Why waiting for "perfect recovery" is just another way your eating disorder controls your life

✨ The mindset shift from "waiting to recover" to "living your recovery"

✨ Real client story: How one woman realized she was using recovery as an excuse to stay small

✨ 3 immediate steps you can take today to start making life happen instead of waiting for it

✨ Permission to pursue your purpose even when healing isn't linear

The 3 Steps to Start Living While Healing Step 1: Name One Dream You've Put on Hold

Get honest about one thing you've been telling yourself you'll do "when you're better." Don't judge it—just name it.

Step 2: Take the Smallest Possible Step

Not the perfect step, not the biggest step—the smallest step. The eating disorder wants all-or-nothing; recovery is built on tiny, consistent actions.

Step 3: Remind Yourself: "I Am Living My Recovery"

Shift from waiting to live until recovery is complete to understanding that living IS part of your recovery.

Powerful Moments from This Episode

"Your eating disorder wants you to wait. It wants you to believe that you need to be 'fixed' before you're worthy of pursuing your dreams."

"Life doesn't pause while you figure out your relationship with food. Your dreams don't go on hold. Your purpose doesn't wait."

"You don't have to wait until those hard days are gone to start living. You don't have to have it all figured out to take up space in this world."

"Your eating disorder is not your whole story. It's not even the most interesting part of your story."

Client Spotlight

Hear from one of Lindsey's current clients who had a breakthrough realization: "I keep thinking I need to wait until I'm 'recovered enough' to apply for that role, to book that trip with my friends. But I'm realizing that waiting for perfect recovery is just another way the eating disorder is controlling my life."

Key Takeaways

💫 Recovery isn't linear—and that's okay. Four steps forward, two steps back is still progress.

💫 Living your life IS part of recovery, not something you do after recovery.

💫 You're allowed to want things, dream, and take up space even in the middle of healing.

💫 Struggling doesn't mean you're doing recovery wrong—it means you're human and doing something brave.

💫 Your life is happening right now, not when you're thinner or "better."

Your Reflection Prompt

"What is one dream I've put on hold, and what's the smallest step I can take toward it today—not when I'm 'recovered enough,' but right now?"

Take Action Today

Ready to stop waiting and start living? Here's how to connect:

📧 Email Lindsey: [email protected]
🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms
💕 Get Support: www.herbestself.co & FB: www.herbestselfsociety.com

If this episode gave you hope or helped you take that first small step, please leave a 5-star rating and review. Your support helps more women discover that they don't have to wait for permission to start living.

*While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.