What drives someone to lie? Is all lying inherently bad? How does lying intersect with our internal struggles and vulnerabilities? These are just a few questions I had before my conversation with Tom.

As a mother myself, I've experienced firsthand the pressures of bounce-back culture. It's everywhere - from social media ads to casual conversations. The expectation to quickly return to your pre-pregnancy body after carrying a human for 40 weeks and giving birth is, quite frankly, absurd.

I firmly believe that the key lies in early detection and prevention. Whether you're a psychiatrist pediatrician, therapist, or dietitian, your ability to recognize the early signs of disordered eating and intervene can truly make a world of difference. It's about becoming part of the solution, steering individuals away from the brink of despair, and towards a path of healing and recovery.

When we talk about eating disorders, the conversation often revolves around body image – from the harmful effects of body shaming to the empowering message of body positivity. But there's another aspect of this conversation that often goes overlooked: beauty ideals.

There’s a sea of misinformation out there because medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become so popular. But the real question is why? These aren’t necessarily brand-new medications but lately, we’ve seen them “prescribed” right and left and it leaves us wondering if it’s something we should consider.

But here’s the thing: they are two completely different lifestyles. Both people are in different phases of their lives with perhaps significant differences in resources and personalities (and lots of other things) and are not in a place to compare one another. This is the comparison trap that oftentimes it has an unintended impact on one’s relationship with food and self-esteem.

Do labels like "disordered eating" and "eating disorder" truly serve us, or do they limit our understanding of individuals and their unique journeys with food? These labels are often misunderstood, which makes it feel like such a hard concept for our peers to grasp. As an outsider, who is curious about your own relationship with food or wants to support someone navigating theirs, knowing the difference in these labels can be beneficial.

Here’s the thing, eating disorders don’t have a look. It’s a myth that eating disorders are typically portrayed by a “skinny” individual. But the reality is far from that stereotype. Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their outward appearance. They don't discriminate based on size, shape, or weight.

The unconditional love we have for our families can be incredibly healing, especially for those who have struggled with eating disorders. Parenthood, with its inherent love and acceptance, can serve as a powerful motivator for recovery. Yet, as much as we cherish these moments, we also recognize the challenges they bring, particularly for individuals with eating disorders.

We should be exploring questions around the perception that excessive weight is a health problem, the dangers of intentional weight loss, and the conversations that uncover this controversial topic.

Just last year, The American Academy of Pediatrics put out (terrible) guidelines, that in a nutshell, give the “go-ahead” to evaluate children for weight loss medication and/or surgery. Weight loss surgery is completely irreversible. So why is it being recommended? There are many challenges that individuals will face when deciding to undergo weight loss surgery. Not only the painful physical challenges but the mental and emotional ones as well.

Everyone seems to have an opinion, you've probably encountered unsolicited advice and opinions from well-meaning (or not-so-well-meaning) friends or family. But here's the thing – You are not on a mission to help them see the world the way that you do. You are not on a mission to help them understand intuitive eating and eating disorder recovery.