EPISODE 90: How to Balance Alcohol and Weight Loss Over the Holidays

If Thanksgiving has you feeling excited and secretly anxious about losing control around food, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.   This week, Coach Steph and I break down four real Reddit posts from people navigating the same holiday struggles you are: multiple Thanksgiving meals, pressure to "live a little," panic over leftovers, and the urge to skip meals to "save up" for dinner.   Instead of tired dieting tips, we're giving you psychology-based, binge-free strategies to help you:   Handle double (or triple) Thanksgiving meals without spiraling Stop the "skip breakfast so you don't overdo it later" cycle Keep leftovers from triggering binges Set boundaries with food-pushy family members   If years of dieting have made holidays feel like all-or-nothing eating events, this conversation will show you the calmer, saner middle ground.   Let's make this Thanksgiving the most peaceful one yet.

If the holidays always leave you feeling like you've completely blown your progress — between the cocktails, the parties, the endless trays of "only come around once a year" foods — this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale.   In today's conversation, Coach Steph and I tackle one of the most frustrating holiday triggers for overeaters: alcohol.   Not from the old diet-culture angle of "just limit yourself to two drinks" or "choose the lowest-calorie option"… because if that actually worked, you wouldn't be here.   Instead, we're breaking down the real psychology behind why drinking often leads to overeating, especially for chronic dieters, and how to interrupt that pattern without relying on willpower, restriction, or swearing off alcohol altogether.   Inside the episode, we walk you through:   How to find your "peak pleasure point"... the sweet spot where drinking feels fun and relaxing… before it turns into regret, overeating, or waking up wondering what happened. Why your brain is more vulnerable to overeating when you've been dieting for years (it's not a lack of discipline, it's biology + psychology). How to stop mirroring other people's drinking habits and instead stay aligned with your goals, values, and next-morning priorities. How to make intentional choices before the night begins so you never feel out of control around food later. Why alcohol doesn't magically "make" you overeat... and the mindset shift that finally breaks this cycle for good. The exact questions we have clients ask themselves so they can enjoy the holidays and wake up feeling proud of their decisions.   If you want to enjoy the season without the food guilt, without the holiday hangover, and without that yearly "I'll start over in January" spiral, this episode will show you how to finally break that pattern.   Press play and let's make this holiday season the most intentional, enjoyable one you've ever had... and you can start by purchasing Season's Eatings: Your Holiday Plate Playbook mini-course today!   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.     Or, if you want to 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've ever thought, "Where the hell did my motivation go?" around the holidays, this episode is for you.   Because it's not gone… it's just buried under a pile of stress, sugar, and social pressure.   In this week's episode, Coach Steph and I are showing you exactly how to get your mojo back without cutting carbs, skipping dessert, or pretending you don't care about your goals.   You'll learn:   Why motivation isn't something you lose (and the sneaky reason it fades this time of year) How to spot all-or-nothing thinking before it sends you into a "screw it" spiral The #1 mindset shift that keeps you consistent even when life feels chaotic What to focus on when your routine falls apart (hint: it's not willpower) How to use the holidays as practice, not punishment — so staying on track feels easy year-round   No more starting over in January. No more "I'll be good after the holidays."   Listen now and let's make this the year you actually enjoy the holidays and feel in control around food.    Join the email list to get first access to the "Season's Eatings" Mini Course.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.     Or, if you want to 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've already caught yourself thinking, "I need to get back on track after Halloween…" — this episode is your cue to pause before the holiday overeating spiral begins.   Every year, it starts the same way: a few fun-sized candies turn into "I'll start fresh in January." But what if this year could actually be different?   In this episode, Coach Steph and I unpack the early warning signs that the holiday overeating cycle is beginning — and share how to stop it before it snowballs. You'll learn how to:   Shift out of the all-or-nothing "holiday free-for-all" mindset. Create a simple plan that lets you enjoy your favorite foods without guilt or restriction. Reframe your thoughts so you feel peaceful and in control around food. Practice the habits of naturally thin people — even during the most tempting time of year.   We're also putting the finishing touches on our brand-new "Season's Eatings" Mini Course: Your Holiday Plate Playbook, which will be available soon. It's designed to help you head into the holidays with confidence, enjoy your favorite foods, and ditch the stress of "getting back on track."   If you're tired of ending every holiday season bloated, frustrated, and starting over from scratch, this episode will show you exactly how to break that pattern — and finally enjoy the holidays like a naturally thin person.   Listen now and learn how to Outsmart Overeating before it even begins.   Join the email list to get first access to the "Season's Eatings" Mini Course.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.     Or, if you want to 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've ever promised yourself you'd "just have one" piece of Halloween candy—only to find yourself knee-deep in wrappers an hour later—this episode is for you.   In today's conversation, Steph and I are diving into why Halloween candy (and all "off-limits" foods) can feel so irresistible for chronic dieters—and what you can actually do to change that.   Spoiler: it's not about sugar addiction, it's about the scarcity mindset diet culture trained into your brain.   You'll learn how to: Break the all-or-nothing cycle that turns one bite into a binge Neutralize your relationship with "forbidden" foods so they lose their power Eat candy (or any food) with confidence, not guilt Practice self-trust instead of relying on willpower Reflect instead of spiral when you overeat   If you're tired of feeling out of control around sweets and want a calm, drama-free relationship with food—not just on Halloween, but year-round—this episode will show you exactly how to get there.   🎧 Tune in and learn how to enjoy the candy and keep your goals intact.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.     Or, if you want to 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've ever wondered, "Why am I suddenly binge eating when I've been doing everything right?" — this episode is for you.   This week, Coach Steph and I break down a Reddit post from a woman who sounds like so many of our clients — and our former selves: she's tracking her calories, eating "clean," exercising five days a week… yet somehow finds herself bingeing and feeling completely out of control around food.   Here's the truth: binge eating never starts "out of nowhere." It's not a willpower problem — it's a restriction problem.   In this episode, we dig into:   The hidden ways mental, emotional, and physical restriction fuel binge eating Why counting calories and labeling foods as "good" or "bad" keeps you stuck in the binge–restrict cycle How dieting actually creates the very loss of control you're trying to avoid What your binges are trying to tell you — and how to respond without guilt, shame, or more food rules   If you're tired of feeling like you can't trust yourself around food — and you've tried everything from journaling to "just eating carrots instead" — this episode will help you understand what's really driving your binges and how to finally break free from them.   🎧 Plus, we share a free tool — the 25 Scripts & Trigger Tracker — to help you uncover your emotional triggers and reframe your thoughts so you can respond instead of react.   Because you don't need more control around food — you need a safer, calmer relationship with it. Tune in to learn how to stop binge eating without relying on willpower or restriction.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.     Or, if you want to 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.   

Ever notice how you can power through a stressful week without turning to food — but the second you finally relax, you find yourself in the pantry "treating yourself"?   In this episode, Coach Steph and I unpack a Redditor's post that perfectly captures one of the sneakiest forms of emotional eating — the kind that hides behind happy moments, nostalgia, and self-care rituals.   We'll explore: 🍫 Why emotional eating isn't always about sadness (and how joy can trigger overeating, too) 💭 How to recognize when "rewarding yourself" with food is really a substitute for something deeper 🧠 How to honor food memories that connect you to loved ones — without using them as a reason to overeat 💖 Simple ways to make yourself feel special that actually move you closer to your goals, not further from them   If you've ever thought, "I just love food too much," or struggled to stop eating once you start, this conversation will help you see your habits through a completely different lens — one that doesn't rely on restriction, guilt, or willpower.   Press play to discover how to keep the comfort, connection, and pleasure of food… without letting it control you.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.     If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.     Or, if you want to 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.   

On this episode of the Outsmart Overeating Podcast, we're diving into one of the biggest challenges for anyone who's battled dieting: instant gratification.   That little voice telling you to "just eat the cookie now and worry about the diet later"?   Yeah—it's not about weakness, laziness, or lack of willpower. It's your brain, wired for quick hits of pleasure—made even harder to resist when you've spent years restricting and denying yourself the foods you crave.   Join us as Coach Steph and I break down why dieters are especially vulnerable to this cycle of craving, guilt, and bingeing—and why naturally thin people experience food so differently.   We'll reveal how scarcity thinking, diet history, and emotional triggers amplify urges, and why doubling down on willpower or stricter rules only makes it worse.   But here's the good news: there is a way out.   In this episode, you'll learn actionable strategies to shift from chasing instant gratification to building self-trust, think like a naturally thin person, and stop letting urges control your life. You'll hear practical tips you can try this week to delay gratification, calm your brain, and meet the real needs behind your cravings—without having to sit on your hands.   If you're done with the cycle of bingeing, restriction, and "I blew it, might as well keep going," this episode is for you.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.   If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.   Or, if you want to 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've ever sworn off carbs, skipped meals after 8 p.m., or lived by a long list of "shoulds" about food—only to end up overeating the very things you tried to avoid—you're not alone.   In this episode of Outsmart Overeating, Coach Steph and I dig into the hidden trap of food rules: why they feel safe at first, but ultimately create more guilt, shame, and out-of-control eating.   We'll show you how dieting trains you to cling to rigid rules instead of learning to trust yourself—keeping you stuck in a cycle of restriction and bingeing.   You'll hear:   Why rules give the illusion of control (and why your brain loves them) How food rules actually increase food obsession and overeating A powerful metaphor that will change how you think about eating forever The difference between control and trust—and how to start building self-trust today Practical ways to eat with confidence without counting calories, weighing food, or white-knuckling your way through cravings   If you're tired of feeling like the only way to "stay on track" is through extreme rules and constant willpower, this conversation will help you see a new way forward—one where food feels simple, peaceful, and enjoyable again.   👉 Listen now to learn how to break free from restrictive dieting, feel in control around all foods, all the time, so you can lose weight for good.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.   If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.   Or, if you want to 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. 

Most dieters start the year strong, but by February, the excitement has fizzled out—and so has the plan. Sound familiar?   In this episode, Coach Steph and I flip the script on waiting until January 1st to "start fresh" and challenge you to make the last 100 days of 2025 the turning point you've been waiting for.   Instead of another round of extreme diets, food rules, and "no sugar, no carbs" resolutions that always backfire, we'll show you how to:   Shift from all-or-nothing, results-based goals to simple, doable process goals that actually last Break free from the guilt-shame cycle that fuels binge eating Build trust in yourself with one small decision at a time—no more starting over tomorrow Use the holidays as a training ground to feel in control around food instead of terrified of it   If you've ever wondered why you can lose weight temporarily but struggle to keep it off without losing your mind, this episode is going to connect the dots. By the end, you'll see exactly how a single, sustainable habit can change not just the next 100 days—but the next 10 years.   🎧 Tune in now and let's make 2025 the year you stop dieting and lose weight for the very last time.   You can also connect with Leslie & Steph on Instagram.   If you're struggling with emotional, binge, or compulsive eating and want to master self-control at every bite while turning the volume down on food noise, watch the FREE "Curb the Urge" mini-training and download the accompanying workbook.   Or, if you want to 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.