A “Bright Line” is a clear, unambiguous rule that you just don’t break. It’s a boundary you create for yourself that you simply don’t cross.
Susan Peirce Thompson–one of the most compassionate, intelligent, deliberate mothers I know, joins us in this episode to talk about how Bright Lines can help us to reach our goals and live happy, healthy lives.
While Susan‘s specialty is supporting those who struggle with food addictions, we’re going to talk about how Bright Lines impact our parenting, faithfulness to a spouse, and even phone use. (You won’t want to miss any of the little gems that are embedded in this podcast.)
One of my favorite parts of this podcast was when we discussed the power of “reZOOMing,” which is what happens if you DO cross a Bright Line.
We’ll talk about the four “S’s” of Speed, Loving Self-Talk, Social Support, and Seeking the Lesson.
Susan opens up in this interview about her years as a drug addict. She shares how she changed her life, put her energy into her education, overcame obesity, and then started a journey toward helping others find THEIR way.
The more I get to know her, the more I love her. I think you’ll feel the same.
***Special Note***
Susan’s work with Bright Line Eating is uniquely for those who struggle with food addictions, and if you are in that place right now (or even if you just want some new ideas for how to nourish your body healthfully), Susan has some incredible resources for you:
Option 1: The Susceptibility Quiz: Are you addicted to food? This five-question quiz will help you find out.
Option 2: Susan’s Bright Line Video Series
Show Notes:
Susan’s Bright Line Video Series
Other Links:
Susan Peirce Thompson on Facebook
Bright Line Eating on Facebook
Bio: Susan Peirce Thompson, Ph.D. is a tenured psychology professor, a brain and cognitive scientist, and an expert in the psychology of eating. She is President of the Institute for Sustainable Weight Loss and CEO of Bright Line Eating Solutions, a company dedicated to helping people achieve long-term, sustainable weight loss. Her program utilizes cutting-edge research to explain how the brain blocks weight loss and every day she teaches people how to undo that damage so they can live Happy, Thin, and Free.
Music from Creations by Michael R. Hicks.
Audio Editing by Christy Elder
Power of Moms is an affiliate to Susan Peirce Thompson.
I am aware of the link to sugar and addictive behavior but have never heard anything about flour. Can you link to research that shows this? Thanks!
I appreciated this podcast. Food and weight is something I’ve been struggling with the last few years. I had been trying to “be good” about eating when I heard the Intuitive Eating podcast, which said the first rule is no restrictions. I know there’s more to that plan but after hearing that I just started eating whatever I wanted and it hasn’t been good. Do you think there’s a way to reconcile “bright lines” with “intuitive eating?”
Thank you so much for this discussion! One of the things I appreciated about Susan’s podcast was how we need to tailor the choices we make to WORK for us. Because I personally don’t struggle with food addictions, and I generally eat healthfully, I choose to eat a frozen yogurt maybe once every 3 months, or so, if I want to. For me, it doesn’t send me spiraling into overeating or anything, and I generally don’t eat any sugar or white flour or crave it.
Susan did do a video on her blog about intuitive eating. She said it works for a lot of people, but it didn’t work for her because she would fall totally off course and ended up heavy, which didn’t help her reach her goals.
I think it’s important to see where you are on the food addiction spectrum. I’m a 1 or a 2 (I took Susan’s quiz). I personally love SANE, and that helps me never be hungry, but still maintain a healthy body.
I love the idea that we establish the bright lines that will uniquely serve us and help us to reach our goals. Thoughts?
xoxo
Another great podcast, and it’s so funny that I listened to it today because I literally just submitted an article to Power of Moms about when I realized I had a technology addiction, why we as moms get so easily addicted to technology, and how we can detach ourselves from it and replace those negative habits with healthier ones.
I would say I have a moderately addictive personality, but I’ve noticed that when I find myself getting addictive it makes me mad at whatever it is that’s roping me in, and usually that stubbornness to NOT get pulled in is enough for me to break the addiction.
I also loved what she said about how the more we utilize willpower, the more that willpower seeps into other areas of our lives. I fast once a month, and I notice how that self-control I exhibit during that one day seems to make me stop and think before I do things. I also do a “fast from the world” every January, in which I abstain from social media and any external entertainment (movies, TV, video games, fiction books, etc). Being in that mode of vigilance for a full month really makes me reevaluate what I allow into my life.
Thanks again for another thought-provoking podcast. There are definitely things I can use for myself and things I can teach my kids from this one.