Have you ever wondered why cravings seem to hit hardest when you’re stressed?
In this episode, I’m sitting down with nervous system expert, Eliza Kingsford, to talk about what’s actually going on in our bodies when we’re hit with that “I need food now” feeling.

 We dive into everything from my own “cookie moment” (yep, we’re getting personal!) to Eliza’s amazing tips on managing cravings in a way that doesn’t require superhuman willpower. Together, we’ll explore how understanding how our nervous system will help us end binge eating from the inside out. 

How We Met: A Love Story (But Make It Professional)

Eliza and I met through a mutual mentor. Picture this: I’m minding my own business, and Eliza sidles up to me with the sweetest smile. Fast forward 45 minutes, and I haven’t stopped talking (classic me), but now we’re BFFs. She’s brilliant, she’s warm, and she’s here to drop some serious knowledge bombs on us.

Nervous System 101: It’s Not Just High School Biology, Folks!

If you’re anything like me, when someone says “nervous system,” your brain immediately flashes back to high school science class. But trust me, this is way cooler (and way more useful).

Eliza explains that our nervous system is basically the body’s check engine light. You know, that little dashboard light we all ignore until smoke starts billowing out of the hood? Yeah, that’s us with our stress levels.

Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?”, Eliza says we should start recognizing our body’s signals like, “Oh, my engine light is on. Maybe I should stop eating my feelings.” 😅

Why We Can’t Just “Think” Our Way Out of a Binge

Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried to talk yourself out of eating that second (or fifth) slice of pizza, only to end up eating it anyway. 🙋‍♀️ Eliza explains that when we’re feeling overwhelmed, our logical brain goes on vacation.

Imagine trying to solve a calculus problem while being chased by a bear. That’s basically your brain during a binge urge—except the bear is your mother-in-law’s snarky comment from two days ago that you can’t stop replaying.

When we feel out of control, our brain switches to survival mode. So, even though you know eating an entire box of cookies won’t solve your problems, your body is screaming, “COOKIES = SAFETY!”

The Cookie Feedback Loop: It’s Not the Cookies, It’s the Feelings Behind Them

Eliza dropped some wisdom that hit me right in the feels. Here’s the deal: It’s not about the cookies (or chips, or ice cream, or whatever your comfort food of choice is). It’s about the discomfort that you’re trying to numb with food.

We get stuck in this loop where discomfort leads to eating, which leads to guilt, which leads to…you guessed it, more discomfort. 🎢 It’s like riding a rollercoaster that you didn’t even want to get on in the first place!

So, What’s the Solution? Start with What You Can Control

Alright, so we’ve established that trying to “out-think” your cravings is about as effective as trying to out-run a cheetah (spoiler alert: it won’t work). Eliza suggests that instead of focusing on what you can’t control (like your annoying co-worker or your partner’s weird eating habits), shift your attention to what you can control:

• What you think
• What you say
• What you do
• What you eat
• How you cope

When you stop trying to fix the cookies and start fixing your mindset, the magic happens. Suddenly, you realize the cookies aren’t the enemy—they were just a band-aid for something deeper.

Eliza’s Life-Changing Tip: Take a Step Back (Literally)

One of Eliza’s best tips? Take a walk outside. 🌳 She swears by it, and honestly, so do I. When you’re feeling overwhelmed and ready to raid the pantry, take a few deep breaths of fresh air instead. It’s amazing how a little nature can reset your brain and calm your nervous system.

And if you’re like me, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you start to feel grounded. It’s like your anxiety just melts away (kind of like that ice cream you forgot about in the freezer).

Final Thoughts: Let’s Build That Resilience!

At the end of the day, it’s all about building resilience. The goal isn’t to eliminate all stress or discomfort (good luck with that), but to get to a place where you can handle life’s curveballs without diving headfirst into a bag of chips.

And hey, if you can get to a place where you forget there’s ice cream in your freezer, that’s a huge win in my book. 🍦👏

Did you hear the news? I’m hosting a FREE live training on Monday, 11/18 – Binge-Free for the Holidays! Choose the time that works for you + register your free seat here!