EPISODE 46: How to Get Over Feeling Self-Conscious and Intimidated in the Gym

Starting a fitness journey can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the equipment or feeling self-conscious in your body.   In this week's episode, we're here to help New Year's resolutioners push past those fears and tackle the fears that may be preventing them from reaching their full potential.   If you're worried about being judged, not knowing where to begin, or simply feeling out of place, you're not alone. We’ll share practical tips to help you navigate the gym with confidence, overcome that fear of being watched or ridiculed, and shift your mindset from self-doubt to self-empowerment.   Whether you’re kicking off your fitness goals this year or just trying to get back into the swing of things, this episode will give you the encouragement and tools to stay motivated and embrace the process.   It’s time to stop letting intimidation hold you back and start making your dream a reality — because you belong in the gym, no matter where you’re starting from!   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type  

As we kick off 2025, many dieters are setting ambitious weight loss resolutions — hoping this year will be the one they finally achieve their goal, but the truth is, only 9% will actually be successful.   So what do those successful 9% know that the other 91% don't?   The secret often lies in understanding the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.   In this episode, we dive into these two powerful forces driving human behavior.   Intrinsic motivation comes from within—you’re motivated by personal satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment, or the joy of healthy living. When you tap into intrinsic motivation, weight loss becomes about more than just the number on the scale; it's about feeling better by living in alignment with your values.   On the flip side, extrinsic motivation relies on external rewards like praise, attention, acceptance, etc. While these can give you a temporary boost, they’re unsustainable in the long run.   Join us as we explore how to balance both types of motivation so you can stay on track and turn your dream into a reality.   From finding joy in the process to setting realistic external milestones, you’ll learn how to tap into the power of both motivations to create lasting change and finally achieve your weight loss resolution.   Ready to make 2025 your year? Tune in for practical tips and actionable strategies to help you start — and finish — your journey with confidence!   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type  

The holidays can bring joy, but they also bring stress—especially for dieters who struggle with balancing self-care and social obligations.   In this episode, I dive into how holiday pressures and people-pleasing tendencies can lead to emotional burnout, causing dieters to use food as a way to self-soothe, cope, and numb feeling overwhelmed.   Whether it's the stress of family gatherings, financial expectations, or just feeling "off-track," emotional eating can quickly derail your progress and leave you feeling defeated.   Join me for actionable tips and practical strategies that will empower you to stay consistent even during the busiest time of the year.   I'll show you how to break free from the cycle of emotional eating, build a healthy relationship with food, and set yourself up for lasting success — without sacrificing your peace of mindn during the holidays.   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type    

Break the cycle of holiday weight gain by taking control of EXACTLY what and how much you eat using the 7 simple steps outlined in The Ultimate Toolkit to Stop Holiday Overeating. No  foods off limits. No counting calories. No drama.   In this episode, I dive deep into the common emotional and environmental triggers that lead to overeating during the holiday season.   From stress, pressure, loneliness, and overwhelm, I break down the root causes behind why you reach for food when you're not physically hungry. More importantly, this episode doesn't just stop at identifying common overeating triggers – I also arm you with practical, actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles without feeling restricted or deprived.   You'll learn how to develop mindful habits that support lasting change. Whether you're dealing with binge eating, mindless snacking, or simply want to build a healthier relationship with food, this episode will give you the tools you need to take control of your eating in a way that you can be proud of.   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

Break the cycle of holiday weight gain by taking control of EXACTLY what and how much you eat using the 7 simple steps outlined in The Ultimate Toolkit to Stop Holiday Overeating. No  foods off limits. No counting calories. No drama.   In today's episode, I explored a post on Reddit from a woman who asked herself the question, "If I won the lottery, what would I do with the money?" and how this single question encouraged her to take MASSIVE ACTION during the holiday season.   When most people are throwing their hands up in the air until January 1st, now is the perfect time to prioritize your eating habits. With so many opportunities to practice, it's like learning at warped speed.   And to be clear, practicing your eating habits doesn't have to involve cutting out foods, skipping cocktails, or avoiding our favorite holiday treats. You CAN have it all, and in this episode, we tell you exactly how.   This year, give yourself the gift of never having to diet again.   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

Break the cycle of holiday weight gain by taking control of EXACTLY what and how much you eat using the 7 simple steps outlined in The Ultimate Toolkit to Stop Holiday Overeating. No  foods off limits. No counting calories. No drama.   The average adult will DOUBLE their alcohol consumption during the holidays and as a dieter you know, that throwing back boozy drinks can easily prevent you from progressing on your weight loss goal.   Typical diet advice is to limit your intake and to choose the lowest calorie option (I'm looking at you Vodka & Soda with lime), but does this actually help? Or, does it hurt?   And what about the eating!? You can't possibly uncork a bottle of wine without cheese and crackers, right? I mean, that would be criminal. And you deserve it. After all, you've worked hard all year and it's the holidays! This is no time to be a Scrooge.   We all know that you can't nurse a hangover the next day without a greasy cheeseburger and fries, right? After all, something has to soak up all that booze!   Basically, dieters do everything wrong when it comes to consuming alcohol. This episode is going to turn everything you think you know about drinking and weight loss, upside down. And that's a good thing! Because what you're doing hasn't worked.   In this episode, I share exactly how I eat, drink, and be merry without the holiday weight gain. Isn't it time for you to put the joy back into eating and drinking, too?   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

Break the cycle of holiday weight gain by taking control of EXACTLY what and how much you eat using the 7 simple steps outlined in The Ultimate Toolkit to Stop Holiday Overeating. No  foods off limits. No counting calories. No drama.   This week marks the beginning of several weeks of holidays.   That means parties, family gatherings, and lots of food. Thanksgiving is all about being grateful for what we have, who we are connected to in our lives. But too often, for most, it’s all about the food. The turkey. The stuffing. The pies. The side dishes. Need I go on? You don’t have to go to your holiday meals carrying a small Tupperware container with veggies and cottage cheese. That’s old school, right? You are here to live your life and that includes enjoying good food. But that doesn’t have to mean that you leave this holiday being as stuffed as the turkey. I want you to feel excited going into this holiday, not dreading it. So this week, Coach Steph and I talk about dealing with this holiday season in a way that allows for pleasure, but still leaves you in charge of what you do, how you eat and how you feel. I’m going to show you how to think going into these celebrations, what to do, and how to create an occasion for yourself that you can look back at and feel proud. Proud of yourself for keeping your word to yourself, AND still enjoying all of the food. Can you do it? After listening to this episode, I have NO DOUBT.   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

Break the cycle of holiday weight gain by taking control of EXACTLY what and how much you eat using the 7 simple steps outlined in The Ultimate Toolkit to Stop Holiday Overeating. No  foods off limits. No counting calories. No drama.   As a dieter, I was a gold medalist in "grazing”.    Primarily because I was constantly trying to eat the least amount of food possible at every eating event — or at least stay within my feeble boundary of the day — which left me perpetually unsatisfied, running back and forth to the kitchen continuously throughout the day. (I’m pretty sure this isn’t what the fitness industry meant when promoting 10,000 steps a day.)   It never occurred to me that I could go to a restaurant and order what I really wanted for dinner… right off the entrée menu… without having to ask for anything "on the side."   Even when I was "off track," I never gave myself permission to go to a restaurant and order something truly filling and satisfying.   Instead, I'd rummage through my cabinets grabbing handfuls of nuts and spoonfuls of peanut butter until I felt sick. And this is exactly why I could never lose those last stubborn 10-15 pounds.   Join me in this episode as I discuss the #1 mistake most dieters are making and they don't even realize it. I'll also reveal the simple yet delicious tweak I made to my eating that changed everything for me.   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

Break the cycle of holiday weight gain by taking control of EXACTLY what and how much you eat using the 7 simple steps outlined in The Ultimate Toolkit to Stop Holiday Overeating. No  foods off limits. No counting calories. No drama.   Are you a member of the Clean Plate Club? Do you typically eat until all the food on your plate is gone, regardless of how much has been served?   If the answer is yes, you are certainly not alone. This habit is, by far, the most challenging for the majority of my clients to overcome. Unfortunately, this is also the self-sabotaging habit that’s contributed to your unwanted extra pounds.   “Naturally thin” people eat differently. Occasionally, they’ll overeat on holidays or while traveling to exotic places and sampling novelty items, but mostly, they stop when their body communicates it has had enough.   Dieters, however, eat according to a clock, or a meal plan, or a calorie total. They’re in their minds while the naturally thin are in their bodies.   So, how do these magical people accomplish this herculean task? Join me on today's episode to discover the secret eating habits of the naturally thin so you can take control of your eating without going on another soul-sucking diet.   Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type  

Break the cycle of holiday weight gain by taking control of EXACTLY what and how much you eat using the 7 simple steps outlined in The Ultimate Toolkit to Stop Holiday Overeating. No  foods off limits. No counting calories. No drama.   In this episode we debunk the lie that the fitness industry teaches about discipline being the key to a successful transformation and how that philosophy has kept dieters on a hamster wheel for years.   Every frustrated dieter wonders why they can’t just be more disciplined. They wonder why they can start off strong and the wheels inevitably fall off.   Generic dieting advice and the “just try harder” narrative is flawed. In reality, most people have tried harder to lose weight than anything else they’ve ever had to work at.   So if trying harder isn’t the answer, what is?   Imagine waking up each day trusting that you aren’t going to overeat, that you won’t run out of willpower, and you’ll go to bed that night feeling proud that you broke the habit of overeating. How would it feel to be in control of food, instead of food controlling you?   Our habits shape our lives and finding the right system makes all the difference in the world.   Whether you’ve been a Restrictor or a Permitter in your dieting past, your current habits either work for you or against you.   When you understand the power of a habit, for better or worse, it’s easy to see how having the right habits, systems, and support in place is a game changer when it comes to fat loss.   In this episode, you’ll discover how to become consistent so you can not only achieve your goals, but you can maintain them with ease.    Connect with Leslie:   Website Instagram Facebook   If you’re struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and you’re interested in personalized coaching, apply here. Or, if you want to be the first to know when we'll be opening the doors to Unstuffed and get access to our early action bonuses, you can join the interest list.   If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight without dieting, but also how to lose the struggle, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type