I’m sharing something deeply personal. January is often filled with talk of fresh starts and motivation — but real life doesn’t always follow that script. Over the last few weeks, my family has been living through the realities of dementia, loss, and grief, and I wanted to speak honestly about what that has meant for my health, my mindset, and my relationship with food. This episode isn’t about perfection. It’s about compassion, steadiness, and choosing not to abandon yourself when life feels overwhelming. In this episode, I talk about: Living through dementia and the loss of my dad The emotional weight of care, advocacy, and grief Why binge eating didn’t return — even during intense stress Letting go of shame around weight gain Gentle, realistic intentions instead of pressure How creativity  supports me right now Why health still matters — even (and especially) in grief If you’ve experienced dementia, loss, or a season where everything feels heavier than usual, I hope this episode helps you feel less alone. This podcast is free of editing because in life sometimes we have to take the rough with the smooth and not be afraid to show our messy parts.  Get the first 3 modules of “Ease Your Mind” mini-course now for FREE https://www.claireoldhamwest.com/Ease-your-mind 🌐 Connect with Me & Slimming Stories 💫 Try Hypnosis for Free I’ve unlocked the first 3 parts of my course just for you. 👉 bit.ly/FREE-Hypnosis 🍭 Join the Sugar Craving Reset Waitlist Be the first to know when the next event is live — designed for anyone whose sugar cravings return after stopping Mounjaro or during a weight-loss journey. 👉 bit.ly/SugarCravingReset 💬 Why Hypnotherapy Can Help Hypnotherapy can help you achieve lasting results alongside your healthy intentions. Whether you’re following Slimming World, Weight Watchers, calorie tracking, or coming off Mounjaro, it’s not just about losing physical weight — it’s about changing habits, quieting cravings, and feeling calm in your choices.   🎥 Watch Live Hypnotherapy Sessions on YouTube See real results from live sessions and learn how it all works. 👉 bit.ly/ClaireOldhamWestHypnotherapy 💆‍♀️ Book a Free 30-Minute Hypnotherapy Consultation 👉 claireoldhamwest.com/contact 🌀 Follow Claire Oldham West Hypnosis 🎵 TikTok – Claire Oldham West Hypnosis 📸 Instagram – @claire.oldhamwest.hypnosis   00:00 Welcome back + what this podcast is about 02:10 Why I nearly didn’t record this episode 04:40 “New year, new me” pressure vs real life 06:30 My dad’s dementia + what’s changed in the last year 09:10 Care home experience, safeguarding concerns, hospital transfer 13:20 Advocacy, anger, and the emotional toll of fighting for care 17:00 The “this would be the time I binge” moment — and what happened instead 20:10 Christmas intensity: family health scares + managing everything at once 24:10 Choosing art classes as support (something to focus on) 27:30 Thinking there was more time — and why it didn’t feel like the end was near 30:10 The last visit: what I noticed, what I felt, and those strange lighter moments 35:30 Leaving the care home + the weekend plans 37:40 Getting the news in Edinburgh + the journey home 40:40 Reframing: “the death of dementia, not the death of my dad” 43:10 Funeral arrangements, humour as coping, and what I’m choosing not to do 45:20 Weight, food, and why I’m not stepping into shame 47:10 My gentle reset: weigh-in, Parrot tracking, protein, walks + Audible, Thursday art 49:10 Closing: honouring my dad + what’s coming next