Are you trying to get your body healthy and happy but using the wrong information? Is there maybe something painful that you are holding onto? What happens when we take the leap into sincere connection and communication and let go of the secrecy? In this podcast episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini speaks with author and certified eating disorder expert, Alli Spotts-De Lazzer about getting meaningFULL.

MEET ALLI SPOTTS-DE LAZZER

Alli Spotts-De Lazzer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a “CEDS” Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and a CEDS Supervisor with a private practice in Los Angeles. Alli has presented workshops at international conferences, graduate schools, and hospitals; published articles in academic journals and trade magazines; and authored the book, MeaningFULL: 23 Life-Changing Stories of Conquering Dieting, Weight, & Body Image Issues. Her professional-related volunteerism includes co-chairing committees for both the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp) and the Academy for Eating Disorders and creating #ShakeIt for Self-Acceptance!®, a series of public events sparking conversations about self-acceptance through fun, motivating messages, and flash mob dance. She was named the 2017 iaedp Member of the Year, and Mayor Garcetti recognized July 13, 2017 as “#ShakeIt for Self-Acceptance! Day” in the City of Los Angeles. To connect with Alli check out her therapy website, and her book website. Follow her on Instagram.

IN THIS PODCAST

  • Misinformation
  • Are you holding on?
  • One small change

Misinformation

There is so much out there, and everyone wants you to buy their product or their service and so they try to get you to believe that what they say is the right thing. There is so much misinformation out there that many people believe that they are helping their bodies when they are actually harming them, and the “healthy” trends that they are trying are actually more damaging than they realize.
So often it’s not you failing you mastering your life, it’s what’s been offered: they’re not great fits. (Alli Spotts-De Lazzer)
Each person’s body is so different from the rest, and often what works for someone else may not work for you, and what helps you maintain health might not work for the next person. It is about finding what works for your body as an individual entity, not jumping on the train and getting carried away by the ever-changing trends.
Our bodies are so different that I really believe so often that we have our unique formulas [and] that we really need to find and experiment with what enhances our life, not what makes it smaller, not makes us feel like failures. (Alli Spotts-De Lazzer)

Are you holding on?

Some people hold on to something painful that they experienced a long time ago, and by sharing about this pain, they are able to unburden themselves of the weight that they carry, and of the need to keep maintaining this pain.
If you are holding something inside and you have chosen to hold it inside, ask yourself “why?” Is it really protecting you in the way that it needs to be … or is it burdening you, because you can’t have anyone unpack it when it’s stuck in [your] brain, we can’t have anyone with love say “hmm, are you kinda open to a different perspective on how you’re seeing it?” (Alli Spotts-De Lazzer)
It can be difficult to explore this painful thing inside of you when you keep it there, although exploring these different perspectives to the painful thing can be the key to changing things, unburdening yourself, and helping you to change it for the good.
Secrecy sometimes prevents us from connection and fullness … so for anybody listening, this is an invitation to think about why are the things you’re holding secret, and is there anyone who they could maybe share it with [where] it would be reverently held and kindly, compassionately held so that you’re not alone? (Alli Spotts-De Lazzer)

One small change

Making one small change can make a huge difference and create a snowball effect in how you see yourself and the pain point you are trying to heal. By simply wanting to know or learn more, that tiny step can start the entire process that takes you from where you are now to beyond the limits you thought you had.

Books mentioned in this episode:

Alli Spotts-De Lazzer - MeaningFULL: 23 Life-Changing Stories of Conquering Dieting, Weight, & Body Image Issues Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen – Chicken Soup for the Soul

USEFUL LINKS

MEET DR. CRISTINA CASTAGNINI

I am a licensed Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. While I may have over 20 years of clinical experience, what I also have is the experience of having been a patient who had an eating disorder as well. One thing that I never had during all of my treatment was someone who could look me in the eye and honestly say to me "hey, I've been there. I understand". Going through treatment for an eating disorder is one of the hardest and scariest things to do. I remember being asked to do things that scared me. Things I now know ultimately helped me to get better. But, at the time, I had serious doubts and fears about it. If even one of my providers had been able to tell me "I know it's scary, but I had to go through that part too. Here's what will probably happen...." then perhaps I would not have gone in and out of treatment so many times. My own experience ultimately led me to specialize in treating eating disorders. I wanted to be the therapist I never had; the one who "got it". I will be giving you my perspective and information as an expert and clinician who has been treating patients for over 2 decades. But don't just take my word for it...keep listening to hear the truly informative insights and knowledge guest experts have to share. I am so happy you are here!

THANKS FOR LISTENING

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