Breaking the Cycle:
How Tammy Found Self-Compassion and Overcame Emotional Eating
Negative self-talk can feel like an endless loop in your mind. It keeps you stuck, undermines your confidence, and convinces you that change isn’t possible. Tammy’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right tools and support, you can quiet that inner critic, build self-compassion, and break free from harmful patterns like emotional eating.
When Tammy first reached out to me, she described her struggle in heartbreaking terms:
“I was facing a lot of negative self-talk and having trouble loving myself. I was stuck in a long-time cycle of emotional eating to calm the harsh feelings I had about myself.”
Like so many people, Tammy was using emotional eating as a way to cope with the pain caused by her inner critic. But she knew this pattern wasn’t serving her, and she was ready to make a change.
(More resources on the mindset of losing weight found here!)
The Challenges Tammy Faced
When Tammy started coaching with me, her main challenges were:
- Constant Negative Self-Talk: She was stuck in a cycle of criticizing herself, which made it hard to feel any sense of self-worth.
- Emotional Eating: Tammy was using food to soothe her emotions, which only led to more guilt and frustration.
- A Desire for Change, But No Clear Path: She deeply wanted to feel better about herself but didn’t know where to start.
How We Worked Together to Create Lasting Change
Tammy’s journey was all about meeting her where she was and focusing on what she needed most in the moment. Here’s how we approached her transformation:
- Reframing Negative Self-Talk: Together, we identified the harsh inner voices that were keeping her stuck. I guided her through exercises to replace those thoughts with kinder, more compassionate ones.
- Managing Anxiety in Real-Time: Tammy shared that she appreciated my ability to notice when she was struggling. In her words:
“Monica would stop in the middle of a session to use techniques that calmed me down, and they truly worked. She adjusted the session to meet me where I was, which helped me build tools to deal with anxiety upfront instead of just coping with it.” - Breaking the Emotional Eating Cycle: By addressing the root causes of her emotional eating, Tammy began to rely on healthier tools to manage her emotions.
One of the most important parts of our work was creating a safe, supportive space. Tammy said:
“I always felt secure in Monica’s desire and ability to keep my confidences. I could be open and honest with her, and I knew she cared about me—not just as a client, but as a person.”
Tammy’s Transformation
After a few months of coaching, Tammy’s life began to shift in profound ways. Here’s how she describes her results:
“Over these months, my negative self-talk is so much less than it used to be. It’s easier to give myself self-compassion, and I actually feel better about myself. I feel like I have a friend in myself, and that’s something I’ve never felt before.”
She also shared how her relationship with food and emotions has changed:
“I’ve learned tools that actually work for managing my anxiety and calming myself down. I don’t turn to emotional eating anymore, and I don’t feel stuck in that cycle.”
What Made the Process Work
According to Tammy, the flexibility and personalization of our sessions made all the difference:
“Monica didn’t just stick to an agenda—she used her intuition to help me work on what I truly needed. If something felt too hard, I could tell her, and she’d adjust without making me feel bad. She met me where I was and worked with me at my pace.”
She also valued the level of care and support she received:
“Monica has great intuition and insight. I always felt like she genuinely wanted to help me overcome my struggles. She’s compassionate, efficient, and truly invested in her clients.”
Breaking Free from Negative Self-Talk and Emotional Eating
Tammy’s story shows that no matter how stuck you feel, change is possible. By quieting her inner critic, learning how to manage anxiety, and building tools for emotional resilience, she was able to break free from harmful patterns and create a healthier, happier relationship with herself.
If you’ve been struggling with negative self-talk, emotional eating, or anxiety, know that you don’t have to face it alone. Let’s work together to help you build self-compassion, find emotional balance, and create a life that truly feels like your own.
Ready to take the first step? Reach out today—I’d love to support you on your journey.
