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Episode Transcript

Hey, it’s Ryann, your host from Coffee Talks Therapy Podcast. Today, let’s tackle a common phrase: “I feel fat.” It’s thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean, and how can we overcome this feeling? Let’s dive into it.

Addressing “Feeling Fat”

The phrase “I feel fat” is often used to express discomfort in our bodies, but it’s not a feeling; it’s a label we use for a deeper emotional experience. Let’s explore how to understand and unravel this phrase.

The Real Issue: Emotional Connection

When you say you “feel fat,” it doesn’t address the real issue. Your body hasn’t drastically changed overnight. The key difference is the emotional state. To break through this, it’s crucial to identify and separate your emotions from the perceived feeling of fat.

Disconnecting Negative Emotions from Body Image

Negative emotions are connected to the feeling of fat because, over time, your brain has associated discomfort with body image. To overcome this, you need to disconnect negative emotions from your body. This involves recognizing what you’re genuinely feeling.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. What’s the Real Feeling?
   • Ask yourself what you’re truly feeling outside of the notion of weight.
   • Identify any insecurity or discomfort unrelated to your body.
2. Emotions vs. Body Image:
   • Understand that discomfort or negative emotions may not be directly related to your weight.
   • Your body reacts similarly to various negative emotions, whether related to weight or not.
3. Separating Emotions:
   • Work on identifying the actual emotion you’re experiencing.
   • Recognize that your body doesn’t distinguish between nervousness about a first date and nervousness about body image.

Getting to the Root of the Issue

If the negative emotion is linked to your body, delve deeper:

• Why does your body trigger these emotions?
• What fears or insecurities are tied to your body image?

Facing Deeper Fears

Uncover the root cause of upset related to body image:

• Fear of rejection?
• Fear of not being loved at your current weight?
• Associating worth with weight?

Separating Feeling “Fat” from True Emotions

The goal is to separate the feeling of being “fat,” which is not a feeling, from what you’re genuinely feeling. Whether it’s discomfort, nervousness, or shame, identify the real emotion to address the root problem.

Don’t let the phrase “I feel fat” be a deflective mechanism. Break the cycle by understanding the true emotion, working on the root problem, and recognizing that discomfort may not always be related to your body. Take the step to unravel the emotional connection to body image.

I hope this episode helps you navigate through the complexities of body image and emotions. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey.

Links

🔗 Work With Ryann

🔗 Ryann’s Online Courses

🔗 Follow Ryann On Instagram

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A post shared by Ryann | Therapist&Health Coach (@itsryannnicole)

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