EPISODE 114: The 'It's a Special Occasion' Trap That Happens Every Weekend in Summer

You've tried every diet. You know exactly what to eat. And you're still wearing a cardigan in 95-degree heat because you don't want anyone to see your arms.   Coach Steph and I are calling it out—the hiding, the sideline-sitting, the vacations you didn't book, the sandcastles you didn't build—and we're giving you a real way out.   What we cover: Why your brain is literally wired to keep torturing you about your body (and the one thing that actually interrupts it) The "neutral language" trick that dials down self-criticism without making you feel like a liar Why losing the weight won't fix the voice in your head and what will How to show up at the wedding, reunion, or beach trip without waiting to be a smaller size first The photo rule that makes it easier to stop hiding from the camera   You don't have to love your body to enjoy your life. That's actually the whole point of this episode.   Your kids want you in the sandcastle. Your friends want you on the trip. Go listen.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.   Be the first to know when we're opening the doors to our signature psychology-based weight loss program, Outsmart Overeating (and get exclusive access to early bird discounts and fast action bonuses), join the Interest List.      If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type  

Summer is almost here, and with it comes all the things we love — barbecues, weddings, vacations, pool parties, and brunches. But if you've ever shown up to a summer event with the best intentions and somehow ended up overeating or over-drinking anyway, this episode is for you.   Steph and I are breaking down exactly why that happens and it's probably not what you think. It's not about the food, and it's not about willpower.   It's about the specific thoughts running in the background of your mind that quietly give you permission to go off the rails before you even realize what's happening.   In this episode you'll learn:   Why changing your environment changes your thinking and what that actually costs you at summer social events The real reason your "plan" falls apart the moment you walk through the door How to spot the subtle mental justifications that are driving your overeating without you even knowing it Why strategies like skipping meals, setting vague limits, or promising to "start fresh Monday" are actually making things worse How to stay connected to your values in social situations without feeling like the odd one out What to do in the moment when you feel the pull to throw it all out the window   Once you can see the pattern, you can change it and that's exactly what Steph and I walk you through in this episode. Don't miss it!   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.   Be the first to know when we're opening the doors to our signature psychology-based weight loss program, Outsmart Overeating (and get exclusive access to early bird discounts and fast action bonuses), join the Interest List.      If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type  

Coach Steph and I start with a Reddit post from a 54-year-old woman re-entering the dating world. She went out with three different men… all on GLP-1s.   They ordered food, took a few bites, boxed the rest, and left her feeling disconnected, starving, and wondering if this is the new normal.   We unpack the bigger cultural shift happening right now and exactly how it's affecting women like you whose love language is sharing meals.   Here's exactly what you'll walk away with and use immediately:   Why mismatched appetites can feel so uncomfortable (and what it's actually triggering) The difference between physical hunger vs. mental hunger (this changes everything) How GLP-1s are quietly reshaping social norms and what that means for you The hidden fears and insecurities showing up around food (on both sides) Simple, actionable ways to feel confident in social eating situations... starting today   This isn't about eating less or "being good." It's about understanding your brain, your habits, and how to stay grounded no matter what's on your plate... or someone else's.   If food has ever felt like the thing that makes or breaks your connection with others, don't skip this one.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.   Be the first to know when we're opening the doors to our signature psychology-based weight loss program, Outsmart Overeating (and get exclusive access to early bird discounts and fast action bonuses), join the Interest List.      If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

If you've tried everything — calorie counting, macros, keto, starting over every Monday — and still feel out of control around food… this episode is your turning point.   Coach Steph Miramontes and I are pulling back the curtain on my 6-week signature program, Outsmart Overeating, and showing you exactly how we help women stop binge and emotional eating for good.   This isn't about more rules. It's about fixing the real problem: your inner psychology.   Because if you know what to do but can't seem to do it… that's the work.   Inside this episode, I walk you through the step-by-step process we use to help you feel calm, in control, and consistent around food... without tracking, restriction, or "getting back on track."   Here's what you'll learn:   Why dieting is keeping you stuck in the binge/restrict cycle The 6-week roadmap to rewire your thinking, habits, and identity How to eat like a naturally thin person (without food rules) The self-sabotage patterns running in the background—and how to stop them What real accountability and coaching should actually look like   If you're ready to lose weight for the last time — and finally feel normal around food — the Outsmart Overeating program will show you how to get there. Click here for the details.   Got questions? You can contact Coach Steph or me on Instagram.

Ever feel like you know exactly what to do with food… but still can't seem to follow through?   In this episode, Steph and I break down the real reason you still feel out of control around eating and it's not what you think.   If you've tried every plan, tracked every calorie, and still find yourself "starting over Monday," this conversation will feel uncomfortably accurate… and incredibly relieving.   We're talking about what's actually driving overeating underneath the surface—and why more discipline, stricter rules, and better meal plans keep failing you.   Here's what we get into:   Why your problem isn't food... it's the psychology underneath your eating patterns The habit loop that quietly drives nighttime overeating and "I don't care anymore" moments How emotional eating is really your brain trying to solve stress, exhaustion, and overwhelm Why all-or-nothing thinking keeps you stuck in the "good all day, lose control at night" cycle The self-sabotage pattern that shows up right when things start going well What actually changes when you stop focusing on willpower and start changing your thought patterns   If you're done spinning in circles, this episode will show you what needs to shift and what you can start doing today.   Want help breaking this cycle for good? Join the Outsmart Overeating Interest List for early access and exclusive bonuses when the doors open April 20–23.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type  

What happens after you stop dieting?   In this episode, I'm catching up with former client Melanie -- 2 years after finishing our program -- and what she shares will challenge everything you think you need to lose weight and keep it off.   She spent 35 years stuck in the restrict → binge → "start over Monday" cycle… and now? She's down 40 lbs, maintaining effortlessly, and living a life that actually includes food, travel, and fun.   No tracking. No food rules. No starting over.   Here's what we get into:   Why restriction was the real reason she couldn't stop overeating How learning true hunger (not "it's time to eat") changed everything The simple habit that helped her stop mindless snacking immediately How she eats what she wants without losing control What to do when you feel the urge to overeat (in real time) How she maintains her weight while traveling the world (yes, really)   This isn't another "try harder" conversation.   It's a real-life example of what happens when you stop relying on willpower and finally learn a way of eating you can sustain for life.   If you're tired of starting over… this episode will show you a better way.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.   Be the first to know when we're opening the doors to our signature psychology-based weight loss program, Outsmart Overeating (and get exclusive access to early bird discounts and fast action bonuses), join the Interest List.      If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type    

If you feel like the urge to eat comes out of nowhere... whether you're stressed, bored, tired, or even just finished eating—this episode is going to change the way you see it.   Because the real issue isn't the food. It's the thoughts driving the urge.   In this episode, I break down exactly how your thoughts → feelings → actions are keeping you stuck in the overeating cycle... and the simple, repeatable method we use with clients to interrupt it in real time.   No more white-knuckling. No more "starting over tomorrow." Just practical tools you can use today to respond differently to any urge.   Here's what you'll learn:   Why urges to overeat can hit anytime—and what's actually causing them The 5-step "Mind Shift Method" to interrupt emotional eating in the moment How to catch the subtle thoughts that trigger overeating (before it happens) What to think instead so you can shift your behavior without willpower How to "shorten the gap" and get back on track immediately after a slip   This isn't about controlling food.   It's about learning how to think in a way that makes overeating stop feeling automatic.   Press play and you'll walk away with a clear, actionable process to handle the next urge, no matter when it shows up.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.   Be the first to know when we're opening the doors to our signature psychology-based weight loss program, Outsmart Overeating (and get exclusive access to early bird discounts and fast action bonuses), join the Interest List.      If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

Ever had that moment where you think, "screw it," and suddenly you're elbow-deep in cookies you didn't even really want?   In this episode, we're breaking down what's actually happening in that split second and why it has nothing to do with willpower, discipline, or "being good."   Here's the truth: it's not the cookie. It's the story you tell yourself after the cookie that sends you spiraling.   If you're tired of being "perfect" all day only to feel out of control at night, this one's going to hit home and more importantly, give you a way out.   What you'll learn:   Why all-or-nothing thinking is the real trigger behind overeating How labeling foods "good" or "bad" keeps you stuck in the binge/restrict cycle The hidden reason one "slip" feels like total failure Why self-criticism backfires (and what actually works instead) 3 simple, practical strategies to stop the spiral in the moment   You'll walk away with tools you can use today... like asking better questions, making your "next best decision," and breaking the habit of "starting over tomorrow."   No more food drama. No more starting over. Just a smarter way forward.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     Be the first to know when we're opening the doors to our signature psychology-based weight loss program, Outsmart Overeating (and get exclusive access to early bird discounts and fast action bonuses), join the Interest List.      If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

If you're "good" with food all day… and then somehow end up standing in the kitchen at 9pm thinking, "Why am I eating this? I'm not even hungry…" this episode is for you.   In this conversation, Coach Steph and I unpack the real reason nighttime eating feels so out of control (hint: it's usually notabout willpower). In fact, the late-night pantry raids many women struggle with are often the predictable result of what's happening earlier in the day.   Translation: the problem isn't that you lack discipline. It's that the strategies you've been taught are quietly setting you up to fail.   If you're tired of ending your nights feeling guilty, frustrated, and promising yourself you'll "be better tomorrow," this episode will show you a smarter way forward.   Inside the episode, we cover:   Why undereating earlier in the day is one of the biggest drivers of nighttime overeating The hidden role of mental exhaustion and emotional depletion in late-night snacking Why banning "trigger foods" often makes cravings 10x worse How to reintroduce foods you love without losing control around them Simple ways to separate food from relaxation at the end of the day A powerful "closing the kitchen" ritual that dramatically reduces nighttime grazing   Most importantly, you'll walk away with practical strategies you can start implementing tonight to finally break the cycle.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     Be the first to know when we're opening the doors to our signature psychology-based weight loss program, Outsmart Overeating (and get exclusive access to early bird discounts and fast action bonuses), join the Interest List.      If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type

Tired of dieting, calorie counting, and rigid food rules that never seem to work? This episode is your shortcut to freedom around food.   We break down how to reconnect to your body's natural hunger and fullness signals, so you can finally lose weight without dieting or obsessing over every bite.   By tuning into your own body, you'll stop relying on:   Counting calories or weighing your food Following strict meal rules or "safe" foods Consulting apps like MyFitnessPal before every meal Obsessing over every bite or feeling out of control   We'll give you actionable tools to start using today, including:   How to notice early hunger signals before you reach "starving mode" How to recognize true fullness instead of stopping because your plate is empty How to eat like a naturally thin person, without fear or guilt How to regain trust in your body and finally enjoy meals   If you're ready to ditch dieting forever, stop obsessing about food, and feel truly in control around meals, this episode is your roadmap.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     Be the first to know when we're opening the doors to our signature psychology-based weight loss program, Outsmart Overeating (and get exclusive access to early bird discounts and fast action bonuses), join the Interest List.      If you want to learn how to not-only lose weight, but also lose the struggle along side it, you can get started by taking the Weight Loss Psychology Quiz: Discover Your Diet Personality Type