Your Nervous System on Diet Culture: How to Break Free and Find Peace
Sherry Shaban shares a powerful personal journey from being a competitive athlete to overcoming a life-changing back injury and a tumultuous relationship with food and fitness. After a car accident at 16 that ended her athletic career, she struggled with identity and health, eventually discovering a holistic approach to wellness that goes beyond traditional diet and exercise methods.
Central to Shaban's philosophy is understanding the role of the nervous system in eating behaviors. She explains that our body's "protection mode" (sympathetic nervous system) can trigger survival mechanisms like metabolism slowdown and binge eating in response to trauma, emotional distress, or perceived scarcity. Her approach focuses on healing underlying emotional issues, shifting from a diet culture mindset to intuitive eating, and understanding the deeper motivations behind health and fitness.
Key points:
- Sherry explains that eating behaviors are deeply connected to the autonomic nervous system
- Trauma, food scarcity, and emotional distress can trigger a "protection mode" response
- Why it's recommended to address underlying emotional traumas before starting intuitive eating
- The power in understanding one's triggers in healing your relationship with food
- The wisdom of changing motivation from appearance to functional goals in fitness (e.g., aging gracefully, maintaining independence)
- How to shift from "can't" to "don't" to change identity and habits
Links Discussed
Why Your Tight Hip Flexors Might be a Function of Your Nervous System with Elisabeth Kristof
Graced Health Podcast Season 21 Intuitive Eating
Sherry’s Links
Hit Decks App
FREE download of the Make Peace With Food Workbook at www.makepeacewithfood.com
Sign up for the free 9-day Masterclass
Fall in Love with Fitness Podcast
Connect with Sherry
Instagram: @sherryshabanfitness
Facebook: Sherry Shaban Fitness
Join The Stronger Collective
Nourished Notes Bi-Weekly Newsletter
30+ Non-Gym Ways to Improve Your Health (free download)
Connect with Amy:
GracedHealth.com
Instagram: @GracedHealth
YouTube: @AmyConnell