Stop Sabotaging Your Diet! with Heather Rampolla

In this episode of The Functional Medicine Radio Show, Dr. Carri’s special guest Heather Rampolla shares her tips for overcoming emotional eating and self sabotage.

Heather is the host of Fresh Eats Radio. She is also creator of Fresh Eats Seasonal Detoxes and A Loving Approach to Stubborn Weight Loss. She helps busy moms, wives, and entrepreneurs get rid of overwhelm when trying to eat healthy – like dealing with picky eaters, or fitting real foods into a busy schedule.

Main Questions Asked:

  • Why is it so difficult for us to change our diets?
  • How do we get over self sabotage when it comes to our diet?
  • How can people get out of perfectionism and move forward with their diet?
  • What do cravings mean? How do we get over them?
  • What should people do when they don’t want to throw out all the unhealthy foods?
  • How do we deal with picky eaters or other family members who don’t want to follow our new eating habits?
  • How do people deal with fear of attention that often comes with weight loss?

Key Points made by Heather:

  • Self sabotage can be a sign of perfectionism, such as “I’ll make over my whole pantry first before I get started”.
  • It can also be a sign of fear of failure.
  • With picky eaters it’s easy to pass the blame onto others when it’s us that really needs to take action.
  • Self sabotage can also be a fear of success, such as “what will happen if this new diet works and I actually start feeling better?”
  • Perfectionism can be a sign of a deep rooted fear of failure, and people use perfectionism to protect themselves.
  • Get real with yourself and ask yourself “Why do I want this (food) when I know it’s not healthy for me and it contains all kinds of harmful ingredients?” or “Why am I craving this (food) – what am craving in my life?”
  • Consider cravings as signals that your body is craving more out of life.
  • Sweet cravings often mean a craving for self-love, nurturing, time off, relaxation, self-pampering.
  • Craving crunchy/salty foods is often an expression of frustration, anger, or stress that needs to be dealt with.
  • When we deal with the deeper issues the cravings will go away.
  • Craving fatty foods/dairy/cheese if often a need for more nurturing, but could also be a signal that you need more healthy fats in your diet.
  • Excuses are another way we sabotage ourselves, such as “Stop eating dairy? But I just bought a case of yogurt at Costco yesterday and I don’t want to waste it”.
  • Change is scary. Honor that fear and move beyond it.
  • Ask yourself “What if I keep these unhealthy foods in my pantry instead of getting rid of it?”
  • Sometimes it can just be a feeling of a loss of control that stops you from changing your diet.
  • Nobody likes the feeling of being told what to do and not having control – even with their diets. People tend to rebel against diet changes.
  • Change is ‘easier’ when there’s some buy-in. Have a conversation with your family members and let them know why you want to improve your health and their health. Tell them you expect them to at least try the new meals and new foods.
  • When it comes to weight loss there’s often an underlying fear of attention that comes with the weight loss. “I don’t deserve it” or “I’m not good enough” are common themes that underlie this fear.

Resources Mentioned:

Heather’s Tips for Healthy Eating

Heather’s website

Heather’s podcast: Fresh Eats Radio

Heather’s Fat Pants Files

Book – Reclaim Your Energy and Feel Normal Again

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