HERStory on a Plate with Jennie Kramer and Nina Manolson Jennie Kramer + Nina Manolson

Body Image, Weight Loss, and Food Noise: What You Need to Know
Hosts Nina Manolson and Jennie Kramer unpack the cultural messages around weight loss and weight loss drugs, specifically the GLP-1 medications. They also delve into the concept of "food noise" – that constant chatter in our heads about food and body size.
Oprah isn’t the only celebrity to use weight loss medication, but she may be the most visible in terms of messaging. She recently shared her experience using the GLP-1 drug and Jennie and Nina are talking about all of it on this episode. 
Before jumping into the points discussed, they remind you that there is no judgment here. Everyone has body autonomy, and they want listeners to know that means you get to decide what to do with and for your body and your health. 
A weekly injection may seem like a quick and easy way to silence the food noise in our brains, but is that what we want? Jennie asks if maybe that’s our body’s intuitive wisdom trying to get us to listen and pay attention to our bodies. They also discuss the implications of this option. It’s likely a life-long medication that will always be necessary, and it’s not known if that’s going to be safe. 
Jennie shares her take on Oprah’s comments about body-shame that she experienced for all of her life. Shame that was piled on because of her weight, her body size, her body shape. The message she heard was the way to eliminate her shame is to be in a thin body. 
That’s the legacy diet-culture message. Your body size and shape are wrong, so you must change. That’s what leads to restrictive eating, and dissatisfaction with our bodies. It’s why so many are willing to take medication that may be dangerous all in an effort to change our body image. 
What if instead of a new medication we try to have a conversation with our body? How good would it feel to be relaxed around food because we’ve listened to our body, and we know what makes us feel our best? 
Consider therapy approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) to understand and heal the parts of you that contribute to food noise. Take some time to focus on the inner self instead of trying to alter your body shape and size. 
We’re reminded to develop a gentler inner voice. Challenge the negative messages from diet culture and societal pressures. Practice gratitude for your body and what it allows you to do.
Remember: There's no quick fix to food noise or body image issues. Listen to your body, develop self-compassion, and consider alternative solutions that address the root cause of the problem. 

Connect with Jennie and Nina

Co-hosts Nina Manolson and Jennie Kramer are back and today
they’re talking about how we all compare ourselves to others and the negative
consequences of this behavior.
Imposter syndrome is real, for even the most accomplished
and confident among us. Hear how this has shown up for both Jennie and Nina and how they address it for themselves and how they help their clients with this
universal issue.
Steps to combat negative comparisons:
o Limit exposure to social media and other sources that promote unrealistic beauty standards.
o Practice self-compassion and remind yourself of your own unique strengths and qualities.
o Focus on the present moment and appreciate your body for what it can do.
o Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
Connect with Jennie and Nina

Listen to this in-depth conversation between Nancy Loeffler
and hosts Jennie Kramer and Nina Manolson about Nancy's journey through grief
and her book, "The Alchemy of Grief: Your Journey to Wholeness."
Nancy shares her personal story of loss, the process of excavating her life to
find meaning and purpose after her daughter's death, and the importance of
acknowledging and processing grief in its various forms.
Connect
with Nancy
The Alchemy of Grief: Your
Journey to Wholeness
Connect with Jennie and Nina

Embracing Grief as a Transformative Journey: Grief
can be a catalyst for personal growth and transformation, leading individuals
toward a deeper understanding of themselves and their purpose in life. 
Coping Strategies for Navigating Grief: Journaling,
artwork, and other creative outlets can provide valuable ways to express and
process emotions during the grieving process.
Building Resilience Through Trust and Acceptance:
Resilience develops as individuals learn to trust the process of grieving and
embrace the full spectrum of emotions. Acceptance of daily griefs and
self-compassion are essential components of this journey.
Finding Meaning and Purpose After Loss: By excavating
their lives and engaging in inner work, individuals can find meaning and
purpose even in the midst of grief and tragedy.

When one partner embarks on a weight
loss journey, it can have a significant impact on the other partner, even if
they are not actively trying to lose weight themselves. This blog post explores
the different ways this can happen, and offers tips for navigating these
challenges.
Key points:
• Partners of people who are losing weight may experience envy, insecurity, and a feeling that their own body is being judged.
• The way weight loss is achieved can also be a source of tension, especially if it involves quick fixes, surgery, or medications.
• Social situations can be difficult for partners of people who are losing weight, as they may be bombarded with comments about their partner's appearance.
• It's important to remember that body size is not the only thing that matters, and that compliments can be focused on other aspects of a person.
Resources:
Fat Talk: Parenting in
the Age of Diet Culture
Connect
with Jennie and Nina

Jennie and Nina are talking about control today. We are living in a time where there’s a lot happening in the world that is out of our hands. Wars, climate disasters and political unrest are just a few things that leave us feeling out of control.
We find ourselves feeling like we don’t have agency to make decisions. There are real things we can’t control, and there are imagined things that we like to think we can control and everything in between.
What do humans want? They want to make a
difference and we want to have some agency. Jennie Kramer
For many people, it involves food. Jennie reminds us that when we do turn to comfort food, it’s okay. Use compassion and curiosity to understand why we’re looking for comfort in this way rather than blame or self-judgement.
When we go to food, we’re often looking for a familiar feeling. – Nina Manolson
Jennie shares how grounding can help interrupt that feeling of out of control. She
provides 3 ways that you can hit the pause button.
You don't have to do this on your own. There are people who can be there for you, who can provide help and support.
If you’re feeling alone, out of control, or frustrated, help is here. Reach out to Jennie or Nina. They are here to engage and support you on this journey.
Connect with Nina and Jennie
HERStory
on a Plate
 
 

Jennie Kramer and Nina Manolson are talking to Jenny Rushmore, the founder of Cashmerette.  She shares her inspiring journey of revolutionizing clothing patterns to fit women of all sizes and shapes.
Having struggled with finding clothes that fit her own body, especially due to her larger bust size, Jenny embarked on a mission to create patterns that accommodate various body types.
Jenny's story is one of resilience, creativity, and empowerment, showing how clothing can be a tool for self-expression and confidence-building. Through Cashmerette, she not only offers practical solutions for clothing fit but also challenges harmful societal norms, paving the way for a more inclusive and body-positive future.
 
Connect with Jenny Rushmore
Cashmerette
Ahead
of the Curve: Learn to Fit and Sew Amazing Clothes for Your Curves
 
Connect with Nina and Jennie
HERStory
on a Plate