Therapeutic witnessing and shared stories

Weight feels like one of those topics everyone has an opinion on, yet it’s deeply personal for each of us. So, for this episode, Emily and Jill take the opportunity to dig into what it’s like to navigate body changes in a world full of strong opinions, from the rise of GLP-1 medications to the stigma that can come with medical or surgical interventions.

Jill opens up about her own journey with weight, body image, and ultimately deciding to have gastric bypass surgery, including what’s shifted for her since, physically, emotionally, and socially. 

They also talk about the judgment people can face, how conversations about health often get reduced to discipline or willpower, and also zoom out to explore the bigger cultural messages about bodies and how therapists can support clients in talking about weight in ways that move beyond shame or “fixing.” 

Listen and Learn: 

• Why shame, Yo-yo dieting, and a surprising therapy session insight led Jill to discover a life-changing path that transformed her health, mindset, and relationship with exercise
• Why the idea that weight loss tools are “cheating” reveals deeper cultural biases about bodies, health, and who gets judged for the choices they make
• How constant pressure on women’s bodies may actually distract from power, health, and autonomy in ways most people never question
• Focusing on values instead of weight loss goals to help you stop postponing the life you want to live
• How changing your relationship with cravings and “food noise” through psychological flexibility can make long-term weight loss maintenance more possible

Resources: 

• Jill’s Website: https://jillstoddard.com
• Connect with Jill on Social Media 
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDJ6pR5PVGZSSzRFc556QA
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillstoddardphd/ 

About Jill Stoddard 

Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, bariatric coach, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. Dr. Stoddard is the founder and director of The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, an outpatient practice specializing in evidence-based therapies for anxiety and related issues. She is the author of three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Her writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. She lives in Newburyport, MA with her husband, two kids, and disobedient French Bulldog.  

Related Episodes:

• 348. Sustainable Exercise with Michelle Segar
• 326. Weight Stigma and Body Image with Sarah Pegrum
• 264. Raising Intuitive Eaters with Sumner Brooks and Amee Severson
• 231. Eating Skills and Emotional Eating with Josh Hillis
• 151. Intuitive Eating with Evelyn Tribole
• 93. Effective Weight Loss with Evan Forman
• 77. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Jill Stoddard
• 36. Weight Loss Strategies From Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Jason Lillis

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