In this insightful episode of Full and Thriving, we are joined by Sarah Lee, a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach with over eight years of professional experience and a passion for helping others find lasting recovery. Sarah opens up about her personal journey navigating perimenopause after fully recovering from an eating disorder (ED) and how she has managed the physical, emotional, and body image challenges that come with aging and transitioning to menopause. As a coach who integrates faith into her practice, Sarah shares her wisdom on embracing life’s transitions and offers practical advice for women facing midlife changes.
Episode Highlights:
Understanding Perimenopause vs. Menopause
Sarah begins by explaining the key differences between perimenopause and menopause itself. She describes how her body began to change in unexpected ways during perimenopause, and how these changes impacted her mindset after years of recovery.
Sarah’s Personal Recovery Journey
Sarah shares her inspiring story of eating disorder recovery, which began over 18 years ago. She talks about how her experience in recovery has shaped her approach to life, self-care, and working as a coach. Her passion for supporting others in finding freedom from ED is evident throughout the episode.
Coping with Body and Appearance Changes in Midlife
Perimenopause brought on significant changes in Sarah’s body and appearance, which challenged her body image in some ways. In the episode, Sarah discusses how she dealt with these changes, including feelings of discomfort, and how she resisted the pressure to conform to societal standards around beauty and aging.
Handling Triggers after Recovery
Even after full recovery, Sarah has experienced moments of being triggered by the changes her body went through during perimenopause. She shares strategies she used to cope with these moments.
The Importance of Self-Care During Midlife Transitions
Sarah’s approach to self-care has evolved as she navigates aging and hormonal changes. She highlights how important it is to listen to your body, honor its needs, and adjust your self-care routines as life changes.
Resources for Women in Perimenopause
Throughout the conversation, Sarah shares valuable resources that have helped her manage perimenopause.. She also talks about the resources she found unhelpful, offering insights into what women in recovery should avoid during this transitional phase.
Connect with Sarah Lee:
Website: https://sarahleerecovery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahleerecovery/
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