The Full Plate Podcast with Abbie Attwood, MS Abbie Attwood

"Dress for your body type", "define your waist", and "only wear what is flattering". How about...no. 
As our bodies change (as they will continue to do throughout our life), many of us are met with barriers to body acceptance. And our clothes are a massive part of that. But they can also be a pivotal part of our liberation.
Tune in to this week's episode to hear my conversation with Dacy Gillespie, a weight-inclusive anti-diet personal stylist. We untangle the mess of our closets, dismantle from patriarchal ideas of fashion, and challenge our sense of what we "should" be wearing based on our body shape and size.
What’s on Dacy’s plate right now (and importantly, what's not) How she got into personal styling Being raised to think having a passion for clothing was vain The conversations that made her realize the ways patriarchy and white supremacy have informed our fashion choice How to approach shopping for new clothes as your body changes What steps to take to identify your personal style separate from patriarchal ideas of beauty and fashion  What to do with old clothes that no longer fit How clothing sizes impact our body image  The life-changing magic of finding your authentic style Challenging the inner critic when shopping Barriers to accessing clothing in a larger body The fashion rules we need to ditch  How to deal with your closet  All about the word “flattering”  
About Dacy:
As a weight inclusive, anti-diet personal stylist, Dacy Gillespie helps her clients reject fashion rules and ideal standards of beauty imposed by the patriarchy, white supremacism, and capitalism so that they can uncover their authentic style. Through their work building a functional wardrobe, Dacy’s clients make a mindset shift from thinking they need to wear what’s flattering to unapologetically taking up space in the world.

After a lifetime of jobs in high-stress careers that didn’t suit her highly-sensitive, introverted personality, Dacy started mindful closet in 2013 in an attempt to create a more emotionally sustainable lifestyle. Her work has been featured in Forbes and Real Simple and she is a frequent podcast guest. Dacy is married and has two boys, ages 5 and 9.
You can find more from her at mindfulcloset.com, @mindfulcloset on ig and tt, makingspacecourse.com for her group program. 
 
Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate
 
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
 
Group membership:
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group
 
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
 
Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast
 
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate
 
 

On this week's episode, we're joined by Leslie Schilling, registered dietitian and author. We focus on themes in her second book, Feed Yourself, which explores the intersection of diet culture and religion — how diet culture shows up in the safest spaces, including places of worship.
We discuss interrogating the church, and how diet culture is perpetuated through its messaging and ideologies. From weight to food choices, to health and morality, to the lies that instill shame and guilt – specifically when it comes to our bodies.
I’ve really admired and respected Leslie for years. We’re connected on social media, and hold similar values. I was really looking forward to in this conversation about faith and religion, because it’s not something that has been a big part of my life. And this is exactly why I have this podcast – to bring on all different lived experiences; discuss hard things; dig into the nuance and make sure that nuance is shared. I hope you enjoy this one, I know I did.
Leslie Schilling, MA, RDN, CSCS, CEDS-S, owns a Las Vegas-based private practice specializing in nutrition counseling for families, people with disordered eating concerns, professional athletes, and performers. Leslie has served as a performance nutrition consultant for Cirque du Soleil® and the NBA and an expert contributor to U.S. News & World Report. You may know Leslie best as the creator and co-author of the award-winning book Born To Eat. Her new book, Feed Yourself, about how diet culture shows up in our safest places, is available anywhere books are sold.
 
Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate
 
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
 
Group membership:
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group
 
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
 
Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast
 
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate

This is free preview of a paywalled episode, which is available to our wonderful supporters on Patreon. To listen to the full episode, you can upgrade to paid on Patreon!
 
This episode is an answer to a question submitted on Patreon from Erica, who asked:
“How can I manage my acid reflux without restriction? I've been told over and over that I should eliminate certain foods, but just thinking about restricting is triggering me. Other than limiting my caffeine intake I'm really trying not to cut out any specific foods because honestly I know that's what got here got me here to begin with. Supplements and some over-the-counter medications don't really seem to do much. I'm sure I can't be the only one in your community who is struggling with this as I heal my relationship with food. Do you have experience with this, or have you had success with any remedies with your clients that don't involve restriction? Thanks so much for what you do!"
 
Abbie dives into so much in the answer, including:
How restricting food impacts acid reflux
Where acid reflux occurs in the body
How irregular eating and fasting can impact the digestive system
How we can become even more sensitive to the foods that we restrict
Why certain foods may feel like the culprit for acid reflux
How stress and anxiety can worsen acid reflux symptoms
Cultivating a compassionate, low stress eating environment
How intense exercise can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms
Updating your wardrobe to reduce anxiety and promote comfort
Talking to your doctor about medications to help mitigate acid reflux symptoms
Not slipping back into disordered eating patterns when trying to manage acid reflux symptoms
Centering compassion and body trust 
 
Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate
 
Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast
 
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
 
Group membership:
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group
 
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate

Kirsten Morrison (@intuitive_rd on Instagram) joins us this week on the pod to discuss her experience as a former weight loss surgery dietitian. We explore the consequences on physical and mental health, her journey from working in bariatrics to now specializing in intuitive eating, how dietitians often experience their own disordered eating, and the overlap of disordered eating and bariatric surgery.
I really appreciate Kirsten’s perspective as someone that was closely involved in the weight-loss surgery practice. She and I discuss her firsthand observations on the process and its impact on the patients involved.
Whether or not you have had weight-loss surgery or are considering it, I hope you listen to this episode. This is by no means a conversation that spans this entire topic, as we want to have folks on here with lived experience with the surgery soon. But I hope it's an informative and helpful discussion about the realities of weight-loss surgery from the perspective of someone who worked in a clinic. Our goal here is to provide you with the information you need to make an informed, compassionate decision for yourself and your body, always. 
Tune in to hear more about…
Role of a dietitian in clinics offering bariatric surgery and lack of consistent post-operative support for patients
Lack of informed consent in weight loss interventions
Patients not fully informed about potential side effects and outcomes
Pressure to undergo bariatric surgery as the "gold standard" solution
Blaming and shaming culture surrounding weight loss efforts
Ineffectiveness of weight loss surgeries in some cases
Patients not achieving expected weight loss results post-surgery
Surgical interventions not addressing underlying issues with food relationships
Upgrading surgeries or blaming patients for lack of success
Problematic approach of trying to eliminate hunger cues
Red flags in trying to suppress a necessary biological cue
Negative impact on food relationships and potential for binge eating
Restrictive diets post-surgery exacerbating food-related issues
How suppressing hunger cues doesn't work in the long run and leads to emotional, mental, and physical struggles
The definition of "success" in weight loss surgeries and the misleading statistics often used to measure success
Acknowledging privilege, stressing body autonomy, and exploring alternatives such as healing relationships with food and body image
Kirsten Morrisson is an Anti-Diet Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is the Host of Intuitive Bites Podcast and runs her own virtual private practice helping women heal their relationships to food and body. Visit her online at @theintuitive_rd (Instagram), theintuitiverd.com and her podcast, Intuitive Bites.
Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate
Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on my website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast 
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
Group membership:
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group 
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate

This week we are joined by the incredible Lauren Fleshman, New York Times bestselling author of "Good for a Girl", to discuss the systemic ways that our sports culture fails women and girls, and how we can create a better future for the next generation of female athletes. 
We dive into how the natural and expected changes in a young women’s body during adolescence are met with misunderstanding and pathology, and how the sports systems that girls and women find themselves in are built by men, for men and boys. They don’t currently account for or support the experience of the female athlete.
Even if you aren’t a female-bodied human or an athlete, I hope you’ll tune into this episode. This is such an important conversation about challenging the patriarchy and policing of women’s bodies, far beyond athletics and running. As always, please listen with compassion and empathy for yourself and any past (or current) experiences this may bring up for you.
Tune in to hear more about…
The inspiration behind Lauren's book, Good for a Girl
How prevalent disordered eating is when girls in adolescence, even into their college years
The objectification of female bodies during adolescence
How the US sports systems are built for around a default male body
The significant differences between young girls and boys when training for sports
The lack of normalization and support that girls and young women receive in sports during adolescence
What happens when girls fight against natural body changes
The rate that young girls drop out of sports
What is viewed as "essential equipment" for boys in sports versus girls
The financial pressure of athlete scholarships and ensuring performance at the expense of health
If weight loss and losing a menstrual cycle is "normal" during sports training
The extended time period to truly recover from undereating and overtraining in a women's body
Redefining excellence for women in sports beyond race times and body-focused numbers
How high risk women athletes are funneled into college sports
Performative health and how food choices are policed in athlete spaces
What's next for Lauren in her career 
About Lauren:
Lauren Fleshman is an award winning author and one of the most decorated American distance runners of all time, having won five NCAA championships at Stanford and two national championships as a professional. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Time and Runner’s World. Her debut book was an instant New York Times Bestseller, and won the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. She is the brand strategy advisor for Oiselle, a fitness apparel company for women, and the co-founder of Picky Bars, a natural food company. She lives in Bend, OR.
Find Lauren on IG: @fleshmanflyer
Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate
Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on my website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast 
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
Group membership:
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group
 
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate

There is a special brand of diet and wellness culture that comes for you when you're pregnant. From the “permission” for your body to change, to pressure around food choices, to beauty standards for pregnant people, we're getting into it all. 
Artist Bri Custer joins the pod to share, vulnerably, about what pregnancy has been like as she heals from a lifetime of disordered eating, and works towards a peaceful relationship with her body. Bri is so special to me as a human being, a friend, and a client. She has done so much reflection around these topics and I think you'll get a lot out of this conversation, whether you are pregnant, considering getting pregnant, or even if you don't ever plan to.
Gentle reminder that this can be a sensitive, difficult, and personal topic. I know this from personal experience. Please listen to this episode if it feels compassionate and kind to listen to a conversation about pregnancy. You are always loved and supported here.
We discuss:
Bri's experience with dieting as a child
Unpacking generational cycles of body shame and restriction
The temporary permission that society gives us for our bodies to change during pregnancy
The pressure to maintain a specific diet during pregnancy to maintain your own health and a child's
The blame and shame around not "eating right" during pregnancy
The popularity of post-partum exercise programs and the harm they can cause
The pressure for dietary changes to combat PCOS and infertility issues pre-pregnancy
The importance of combating food morality and going back to foods we love as a kid during times where food and eating is difficult during pregnancy
How pregnancy is a wonderful lesson in trusting the wisdom of your body
Setting boundaries around social media and mental resilience to diet culture during pregnancy
Challenges around body image during pregnancy
Asking not to be weighed before and during pregnancy, and if weight is needed to monitor one's health and their growing child's
Beauty standards during pregnancy and how harmful they are
Body checking during & after pregnancy and the importance of centering curiosity and compassion
 
About Bri:
Bri Custer is an en plein air painter investigating perception, memory, and color through the New England Landscape. Her work has been featured by Clover + Bee, Candyfloss, and on the Create! Magazine blog and can be found at Nahcotta in Portsmouth, NH and Sorelle Gallery in Westport, CT. Bri has been working with Abbie for roughly a year, and began her anti-diet journey in 2022. She is currently a full-time artist based in Concord, New Hampshire with her husband, Bryan and hound-lab mix, Vinny. Follow her @briiiiicuster on Instagram and see more of her art on her website. 
Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes (like this one!), community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate
Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast 
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness  
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
Group membership:
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group 
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate