Every BODY Belongs
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A newsletter guided by compassion, grounded in science. Hi friend, Next week marks National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 23–March 1) with the theme: Every BODY Belongs. I love that theme. Because eating disorders and loss-of-control eating behaviors do not discriminate. They affect people across ages, sizes, genders, races, and backgrounds. And yet so many people go unseen, unsupported, or misunderstood due to stigma and misinformation. If you’ve ever wondered, Please hear me clearly: There is nothing “wrong” with you. There is a brain. And there is real help. In recognition of the challenges so many face around cravings and impulsive eating, I’ll be speaking next Wednesday, February 25th at the Anthem Health & Wellness Club here in my hometown of Anthem, Arizona. The presentation is called: How to Train Your Lizard It’s a playful, science-backed look at the difference between our thinking brain and our survival brain (aka the “lizard brain”). Why does it take the wheel? Why does willpower disappear? And how can we gently retrain that impulsive, reward-seeking part of ourselves? If you’re local and want to join us, you can RSVP here:
From Baltimore with Love As I write this, I’m sitting looking out at the waterfront in Baltimore. The conference begins tonight with an opening reception and runs through Saturday evening. On Saturday after lunch, I’ll be speaking on a panel titled: Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder in Eating Disorders. It’s an important conversation — nuanced, compassionate, and rooted in science — about how ultra-processed foods interact with reward circuitry and why some individuals struggle more than others. I’ll be taking pictures during the conference and sharing more next week. Exciting News My new coaching website just launched! You can now find everything at:
If you’re curious about coaching, I’m offering free consult calls so we can explore whether working together is the right fit for you. Because whether you’re struggling quietly, feeling stuck, or simply ready for a different approach — every body truly does belong here. With love from Baltimore, Kari Anderson, DBH, LPC, CEDS-C |
Food, Body and Love
When stress, overwhelm, fatigue, or emotional load builds up, the body looks for fast relief. Food often becomes that relief — not because you’re weak, but because your nervous system is overloaded. One powerful place to start: the physiological sigh This is one of the fastest ways to settle an activated nervous system. Here’s how to do it: Take a slow inhale through your nose Pause briefly Take a second short inhale on top of the first Then exhale slowly through your mouth Repeat this 2–3...
This isn’t a character flaw.Highly processed foods are designed to activate reward pathways in the brain — especially when the body is stressed, undernourished, or overwhelmed. Two supportive steps you can take right now 1. Reduce exposure to foods that pull you inIf there are foods you consistently struggle to stop once you start, consider creating distance — not forever, but for now.This isn’t punishment; it’s support for your nervous system and brain chemistry. 2. Eat protein until the...
This often has less to do with willpower — and more to do with disrupted satiety signals, blood sugar imbalance, or metabolic stress. Many people in this pattern find themselves chasing carbohydrates because the body is searching for stable energy. A supportive place to begin: predictability Your body calms when it knows nourishment is coming. Try focusing on: Predictable meals Balanced plates (protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrates) Eating before you’re ravenous Instead of asking, “What should I...