Intuitive eating support for healing from chronic and yo-yo dieting
Do you feel exhausted from being on the diet “rollercoaster?” Are you looking to let go of food rules and restrictions? Do you spend much of your energy and brain space focused on food and weight?
Courage to Nourish is an intuitive eating practice and we use this paradigm to support our clients who struggle with chronic dieting and yo-yo dieting. We work with our clients to support them to regain trust and confidence in their food choices. It is not uncommon for clients to seek out our help after years of weight cycling and going on and off diets. We meet these individuals with compassion, understanding and space to process the grief that coincides with improving one’s relationship with food.
What does it mean to heal from chronic dieting?
Healing from chronic dieting means stepping into the intuitive eating space. Most individuals must take time to explore diet culture and the impact it has had on their relationships with food, body and exercise. The goal of this journey is to make more room in your brain space to think about other things – not just food. Dieting can be all consuming.
How We Help Treat Chronic Dieting
Healing from chronic dieting requires individualized, consistent, and compassionate support. At Courage to Nourish, our dietitians are well versed in intuitive eating. We value trusting and compassionate relationships between our dietitians and their clients. Not only do we work with you or your loved one in individual sessions, but we also collaborate with various members of the treatment team. We also provide text and email support and keep our caseloads small. This can assure you are getting the highest quality of care.
With many chronic dieting clients, we discuss the 10 principles of Intuitive Eating and how they may be able to apply it to their lives. Part of this healing process is learning how to re-incorporate “off-limits” foods and how to enjoy them. We’ll discuss how past experiences with medical providers, at work, with family members, have affected how you view food and your body. We also work with our clients to develop consistent hunger and fullness cues. Many of our clients find it helpful to come up with weekly small goals to help them take baby steps toward intuitive eating.
We value safety and a non-judgmental space so our clients are able to process their relationship with food and body in a way that is met with understanding and empathy.
Typical Clients We Work With
Families
College Aged and Young Adult
Teens & Adolescents
Pregnant Individuals
Athletes
Adults
FAQs About Chronic Dieting and Intuitive Eating
How do I know if I struggle with chronic dieting?
- Anxiety about food
- Feeling “out of control” around food
- Going on and off dieting
- Weight fluctuations (in some, but not all cases)
- Fatigue
- Feelings of failure as it relates to food
- Struggling to enjoy social situations that involve food
If you suspect you or a loved one are struggling with chronic dieting, please take our quiz.
How long does it take to become an intuitive eater?
Will I need to follow a meal plan?
How can I find support for chronic dieting?
Courage to Nourish is happy to help. Contact us for more information about working with us. We provide both virtual and in person services. If for some reason we are unable to support you, we would be glad to refer you to other resources. You can also read our blog and resources page for more ideas and support on eating disorder recovery.
Have more questions?
Service Locations
IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS
About Courage to Nourish
Courage to Nourish is a group of eating disorder specialized dietitians. We have in person locations in Alexandria, Virginia, Columbia, Maryland, and College Park, Maryland. We offer virtual services across the state of Maryland. Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. We offer individual nutrition therapy. As well as support groups. We would love to guide you in building a better relationship with food.
Interested in finding out more?
Tell us more about how we can help you.
