Why It's So Hard to Know What You Want

In this episode, I'm exploring how to make change feel safe, whether it's a change with food, your work, your relationships, or a goal you've been working toward. Your nervous system prefers what's familiar and certain, so a change that shows up all at once can feel like a threat, even when it's something you want. I share what helps a change feel safe enough to make, and I'm using a change I'm making with this podcast as the example, including how you can be part of it.What you'll discover:Why surprises feel unsafe to your nervous systemWhy your brain needs a clear pictureThe power of naming what stays the sameHow you can be part of this podcast's next chapterIf you've been wanting to make a change but keep feeling resistance when you try, this episode is for you.Previous episodes referenced:Why Change Feels Hard, Even When You Want ItHow to Know When It's Time to Change Something Share your thoughts on the podcast and get a sneak peek at the names I'm considering by filling out this short form. The form is open through November 23.Want to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

In this episode, I'm exploring how to know when it's time to change something, even something you love. Sometimes the signs are obvious, like something that isn't working or has become painful. Other times they're quieter: something that used to light you up doesn't feel as exciting anymore, or an idea keeps coming back that you can't stop wondering about. Learn the signs that something in your life may be ready to change, why changing from "I want more" works so much better than changing from "I'm broken," and hear about a change I'm making with this podcast, including what's staying the same. What you'll discover:The quiet signs it's time for a changeWhy the energy you change from mattersWhat's changing with this podcastWhat's staying exactly the same If you've been sensing that something in your life is ready to change, but you aren't sure how to tell, this episode is for you. Previous episodes referenced:Why It's So Hard to Know What You WantWhy Change Feels Hard, Even When You Want It If you'd like to understand what your nervous system is doing underneath change and fear of change, get Mapping Your Nervous System. Want to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

In this episode, I'm exploring why change can feel so hard, even when it's something you want. You might know you want to stop binge eating, start eating regular meals, or make a change in your work or your life. You might even know the steps, and still find yourself not taking them, or slipping back into old patterns after a good start. I explore what your nervous system has to do with resistance to change, why familiar can feel safer than better, and how to help a change feel safe enough to keep going.What you'll discover:Why knowing what to do isn't enoughThe three things your brain is wired forWhy familiar feels safer than betterHow to help change feel safe enoughIf you've ever said, "I know what to do, I just can't make myself do it," this episode is for you. Previous episodes referenced: Why It's So Hard to Know What You WantA Binge Eating Coach Binging in Secret If you'd like to understand what your nervous system is doing underneath change and fear of change, get Understand Your Nervous System. Want to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

In this episode, I'm exploring why it can be so hard to know what you want, even when you know exactly what you don't want. Maybe you're trying to stop binge eating, and so much of your focus has gone to what to avoid that you've never had space to ask what you'd actually love. Or maybe something new has started pulling at you in your work, your relationships, or your life, and part of you says you should just be grateful for what you have. Either way, I explore why your wants are meant to change over time, why that's a normal part of being human, and how to let yourself want something different without having to act on it yet.What you'll discover:Why your brain focuses on what you don’t wantThe reason your wants keep changingWhy wanting more can feel ungratefulOne of my favorite prompts for letting yourself dreamIf you know exactly what you don't want but feel stumped when someone asks what you do want, this episode is for you.Previous episode referenced: Your Definition of Food Freedom Might Be Keeping You StuckIf you would like to explore getting support with your eating challenges, schedule a Breakthrough Call today.In January, Binge Eating Breakthrough™ is getting a new name, and I'd love your input. We're expanding the conversation to include more about your brain, nervous system, and the patterns that keep you stuck, while continuing to talk about binge eating and food. Share what you love about the podcast, what you'd like to hear more of, and get a sneak peek at the names I'm considering. Visit https://janepilger.com/feedback by NWant to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

In this episode, I'm asking a question you may never have put into words: what does food freedom mean to you? Maybe you're still in it, trying to stop binge eating or quiet the food noise. Or maybe you've made progress and still feel like something is missing. Either way, I explore how the picture of food freedom you're carrying can unintentionally keep you stuck with emotional eating and binge eating, and how to create a definition your brain can move toward. I also share my own definition and what came up for people at a live workshop on this topic. What You'll DiscoverWhy your brain doesn't hear the "don't"Three questions to test your definition of food freedomWhat your younger self wants you to know about foodHow to live into your definition one experience at a timeIf you've ever said you want food freedom but couldn't quite describe what it would look like, this episode is for you.If you'd like a place to practice living into your definition with the support of people who understand, learn more about Cultivate. In January, Binge Eating Breakthrough™ is getting a new name, and I'd love your input. We're expanding the conversation to include more about your brain, nervous system, and the patterns that keep you stuck, while continuing to talk about binge eating and food. Share what you love about the podcast, what you'd like to hear more of, and get a sneak peek at the names I'm considering. Visit https://janepilger.com/feedback by NWant to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

In this episode, I'm exploring why it can feel so hard to tell anyone how much you struggle with food. Maybe you've never told a single person about your binge eating or emotional eating. Or maybe someone knows a little, but not the whole story. Either way, I share what happened when I finally told my husband about my binge eating, why keeping it hidden keeps you stuck, and how the right support can help with binge eating, emotional eating, or overeating so you're no longer carrying it alone.What you'll discover:Why telling someone feels so scaryHow your nervous system borrows calm from othersWhat happens when you're met with kindnessHow to find a safe person to talk toIf you've been carrying your struggle with food by yourself and wondering whether anyone could understand, this episode is for you.Previous episode referenced:    How to Talk to Your Loved Ones About Your Secret EatingIf you'd like support from people who understand, you can join Cultivate, my group coaching program, or add your name to the waitlist at janepilger.com/cultivate.In January, Binge Eating Breakthrough™ is getting a new name, and I'd love your input. We're expanding the conversation to include more about your brain, nervous system, and the patterns that keep you stuck, while continuing to talk about binge eating and food. Share what you love about the podcast, what you'd like to hear more of, and get a sneak peek at the names I'm considering. Visit https://janepilger.com/feedback by NWant to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

In this episode, I'm looking at advice you've probably heard many times: "just trust your body." Maybe you're still in it, trying to stop binge eating and wondering why intuitive eating hasn't worked for you. Or maybe you've made progress and still don't fully trust yourself around food. Either way, I explore why trusting your body isn't something you can simply decide, why your hunger signals can feel so unreliable after years of dieting and restriction, and how learning to tell the difference between your protective parts and your anchored self helps you rebuild trust with food and your body. What you'll discover:Why trust with your body has to be builtWhat two-way trust with your body meansHow to tell which voice you're hearingWhat food freedom looks like for you If you've ever tried to trust your body and walked away feeling like you're the exception, this episode is for you. If you would like to explore getting support with your eating challenges, schedule a Breakthrough Call today. In January, Binge Eating Breakthrough™ is getting a new name, and I'd love your input. We're expanding the conversation to include more about your brain, nervous system, and the patterns that keep you stuck, while continuing to talk about binge eating and food. Share what you love about the podcast, what you'd like to hear more of, and get a sneak peek at the names I'm considering. Visit https://janepilger.com/feedback by NWant to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

From the outside, rest and numbing out can look exactly the same. Sitting on the couch. Watching TV. Scrolling your phone. Reading a book. Even eating.In this episode, we’re looking beyond the activity itself to understand what it’s actually doing for you. I’ll share why numbing isn’t automatically a problem, how to recognize what you actually need, and a recent Monday when I caught myself in a pattern that used to lead to a binge and made a different choice.What You'll Discover:Why rest and numbing can look exactly the sameWhy numbing isn't automatically a problemHow to recognize what you actually need and whether you're getting itHow greater awareness gives you more choice in what happens nextIf you've ever wondered whether you're actually resting or just checking out, this episode will give you a different way to understand what's happening.If you're wondering whether your nervous system might be part of this pattern for you, grab my free guide, Mapping Your Nervous System.Previous Episode Referenced: Why Rest Feels Unproductive (Even When You Need It)  In January, Binge Eating Breakthrough™ is getting a new name, and I'd love your input. We're expanding the conversation to include more about your brain, nervous system, and the patterns that keep you stuck, while continuing to talk about binge eating and food. Share what you love about the podcast, what you'd like to hear more of, and get a sneak peek at the names I'm considering. Visit https://janepilger.com/feedback by NWant to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

You know you need rest. You might even be exhausted. But when you finally have the chance to stop, you find yourself reaching for your phone, thinking about everything you should be doing, or getting back up to tackle one more thing.In this episode, we're looking at the gap between knowing you need rest and actually being able to take it. I talk about why stopping can feel surprisingly uncomfortable, what staying in motion might be doing for you, and why the discomfort that shows up when you slow down may be useful information rather than evidence that you're bad at resting.What You'll Discover:Why knowing you need rest doesn't automatically make it easy to restWhat productivity and staying in motion might be doing for youWhy thoughts, emotions, and sensations can get louder when you slow downHow to start getting curious about your own relationship with restIf you've ever wondered why you can't seem to relax even when you know how much you need it, this episode will help you look at rest through a different lens.If you're wondering whether your nervous system might be part of what's making rest so difficult, grab my free guide, Mapping Your Nervous System.In January, Binge Eating Breakthrough™ is getting a new name, and I'd love your input. We're expanding the conversation to include more about your brain, nervous system, and the patterns that keep you stuck, while continuing to talk about binge eating and food. Share what you love about the podcast, what you'd like to hear more of, and get a sneak peek at the names I'm considering. Visit https://janepilger.com/feedback by NWant to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today. 

Is there really a connection between ADHD and binge eating? Research shows ADHD and binge eating show up together far more than chance would explain, and once you see what's actually driving that overlap, some of your own patterns might finally make sense.In this episode, I'm looking at what the research actually tells us about ADHD and binge eating and, more importantly, how this information might help you better understand your own eating patterns.What You'll Discover:The real research connection between ADHD and binge eatingWhat ADHD explains and what it doesn'tHow attention and hunger and fullness cues might be connectedThe question worth asking instead of "is ADHD why I binge?"If you've been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect you might have it, or simply recognize yourself in some of these patterns, this episode is for you.If you would like to explore getting support with your eating challenges, schedule a Breakthrough Call today.If you want to go deeper into the four pillars I mention in this episode, you can find my book, The Binge Eating Breakthrough.In January, Binge Eating Breakthrough™ is getting a new name, and I'd love your input. We're expanding the conversation to include more about your brain, nervous system, and the patterns that keep you stuck, while continuing to talk about binge eating and food. Share what you love about the podcast, what you'd like to hear more of, and get a sneak peek at the names I'm considering. Visit https://janepilger.com/feedback by NWant to know why you struggle with food and what to do next? Start watching The Food Freedom Mini Series today.