Hi Friends!
As some of you may know, this week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Yes, I realize we’re at the tail end of the week…but this is an issue that extends way beyond awareness week and is still worth talking about, so we’re interrupting Fitness Friday to do just that!
Depending on how long you’ve been reading this blog, you may have seen me mention a few times that I struggled with disordered eating when I was younger. I haven’t always had the healthy, balanced relationship with food that I do now. That doesn’t mean I’m going to blog about it in detail, but it does mean that this week holds a special place in my heart for several reasons.
- I have first hand experience so I know what it feels like to struggle.
- I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology so I understand some of the psychology behind the disease.
- I’m a future RD so I know the physical and nutritional implications of eating disorders.
- I have first hand experience so I know what it feels like to win the battle.
This is an issue that affects SO many people every single day. The theme of this year’s NEDA Awareness week is “everybody knows somebody” and I guarantee it’s true.
Earlier this week, my friend Clare wrote a great post about NEDA week. In that post, she issued a challenge that really stuck in my mind and I’ve been thinking about it all week. It’s called the “My Body Doesn’t Make Me Beautiful” challenge.
In her post she challenges everyone to do the following: “See if you can refrain from talking about, judging, or valuing yourself or anyone else (including celebrities) because of their body. Not that anyone is too skinny, too fat, has a little celulite, lost the baby weight, or even looks great. Nothing. This week we will value people for their love, intelligence, compassion, humor, and more, but NOT because they have a great body.”
I’m accepting Clare’s challenge. There are so many things BESIDES my body that make me beautiful.
Here are 3 of them:
1) Determination
When I decide I want to do something, I always give 110%. I pour my heart and soul into doing the best job I can and I don’t give up when I face setbacks or failures. Instead, I use those failures to motivate me to do better in the future.
2) Selflessness
I love giving to others. I truly care about making sure others are happy, successful and taken care of. I go above and beyond for others without expecting anything in return and am always willing to help someone in need. Nothing makes me happier than paying it forward.
3) Passion
I took a chance and followed my dreams because I believe in the importance of doing something you’re passionate about. I am 100% committed to helping others use nutrition and exercise to live a happy, healthy life. I love what I do and my passion for helping others motivates me to keep learning, teaching and inspiring others.
———————–
So, do you know someone that’s affected by an eating disorder? Are you affected yourself? What can you do? Here are a few ideas:
- Be a good listener: Make yourself available to anyone who needs someone to talk to. Even if you don’t say anything, sometimes just lending an ear while they talk through it themselves can make all the difference.
- Educate yourself: Visit the NEDA website for links to webinars, podcasts, articles, etc about eating disorders. The more you understand, recognize the signs and are aware, the more you can help.
- Help raise awareness: Talk about it. Eating disorders are scary, but they affect a lot of people. Don’t sweep them under the rug. Talk about them, what they are, who is suffering from them, what you can do to help.
- Give someone a compliment: Next time someone at work does a great job on a project, tell them you admire the work they did. Next time your child does something nice for a sibling or friend, take the time to recognize that you love what a nice gesture that was. Or check out the Operation Beautiful campaign and spread the love that way!
- Talk to your kids or any kids you spend time with: Mizfit Online wrote a great post about building body confidence in little people. Take the time to show kids that it’s things like intelligence, compassion and dedication that make them truly beautiful. That despite what the media says, true beauty comes from within.
- Be a good role model: Make an effort to focus on the things inside you that make you beautiful, not just whether or not you’ve lost weight or are having a good hair day. Others will pick up on it.
- Don’t give up: People may need your help and just not realize it yet. They may push you away. But stick around. It’s important for you to be there when they do reach out.
- Do just one thing: If every single person who reads this post does just one thing to raise awareness, tons of lives could be changed for the better.
———————
I want to live in a world where EVERYONE realizes how beautiful they are. Where I don’t have to read articles like this. Where the media glorifies the difference someone makes in the world, instead of the difference in their weight from a few months ago. Being aware of, understanding and helping those suffering from eating disorders is a step in the right direction!
Remember- it’s not your body that makes you beautiful. It’s your soul, your spirit, your passion and your heart!
Now it’s YOUR turn! Tell me what makes you beautiful?
–Lindsay–
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, visit the NEDA website for more information, ways to get involved and places you can find help.
Thanks for mentioning this Lindsay! I feel like it’s so important to spread awareness on eating disorders, since there are so many people out there who have no idea what it’s like to suffer. And how much pain it causes to not only the person suffering, but to family and friends of the person as well.
I love that my body doesn’t make me beautiful challenge, another fantastic way to appreciate everything on the inside that makes us a great person instead of the external beauty society deems as so important.
My positive energy and helpfulness make me beautiful.
i agree, girl! you’re one of the most positive people i know!
Your right, T’s absolutely true, and it’s horrific the statistics. Thank you for reminding us all of this week!
Thank you for paying attention to this!
It’s a constant struggle for me how I keep my blog inspiring, without stimulating unhealthy behavior. I think it’s so important the entire health- and fitness community stands up against pro-ana, starvation, binging cheat days, etcetra. We definitialy have a responsibility here!
i couldn’t agree more!
As a professor, I’d say this is the second most common issue students come to me seeking help for. It’s absolutely heart-breaking and I’m doing my best to find local resources they can use, but not much exists!
hopefully as awareness continues to grow, more resources will become available!
Great post girl! Definitely hit the nail on the head 🙂
I’m definitely sharing this on my facebook page. It’s so important and I’m glad you blogged about it. I read the story in the NYT yesterday about the 10 year old with an eating disorder, and how it’s becoming more prevalent. So sad.
GREAT POST! As a third grade teacher, I do a lot of things to try and instill confidence NOT based on looks. Many times, we play a “compliment game” that involves kids giving kids compliments… the only rule is that it can’t be based on their looks or clothes; it has to be about what’s on the inside!
that’s amazing!! i love it!
Thanks for taking time out for this. Such a huge problem affecting so many people. And by the way, heck yeah you’re beautiful!!! 🙂
thx girl!
Great post, Lindsay! I wish all the young women with eating disorders that I work with could see this!
I love this. It’s so easy to get sucked into finding fault with our bodies and forgetting the other, more important, parts of who we are.
I’m good at finding the comedy in situations, I have a quirky sense of humour, and I try to find the funny as much as I can. I have to admit that living in Japan has given me lots of chances to build this skill.
that’s awesome!! keep up that sense of humor!
Such an important post. I’m so glad you shared this, Lindsay! It makes me sad when I stop to think about how many girls and women are dealing with this. You are going to make such an impact- with your experience, education and most importantly, your genuine concern and compassion. I’m proud to know you. 🙂
thanks so much, Laura!
I LOVE to LAUGH. I am a happy person. I try to live each day with a smile and keep things exciting. I think that’s what makes me beautiful. 🙂
i agree 🙂
Thank you for dedicating a post to such an important topic. This is a topic that needs to be discussed, not pushed aside or ignored. Awesome post :).
I started reading those statistics and it just hurt my heart 🙁 Recently, I’ve read a few articles on girls 7 & under with ED, and then I found an article yesterday about how ED in senior citizens is on the rise, but usually goes unnoticed.
And your “what makes YOU beautiful” question is so great because I think it’s going to make us really THINK about what we love about ourselves 🙂 – I think my smile makes me beautiful 🙂 Not because it makes me “pretty” or I have really white teeth, but because it symbolizes how happy I am.
i love that. keep smiling, girl!
What makes me beautiful is that I have a wonderful family & friends that I love to death & would do anything for. I have a big heart & I love paying it forward too and helping people. Just the look on their face is all I need… makes me so happy. It’s why I want to be a social worker. Someone told me yesterday you know honey there’s no money in that & of course that always irritates me when people say that! I want to do that work to help people feel good about their lives no matter their struggles but let them know they can still take care of their families and feel good about that. That’s why I’m beautiful :-). Thank you!
you are SO beautiful! love you for following your dreams!
This is a great post, Lindsay. It is so sad that 10 year old kids are developing eating disorders. I wish the media didn’t portray celebrities so thin. In the 1950s or so, curvy was in. Now, thin is.
You’re going to be a great RD. With a degree in psychology and personal experience, it’d help with people on their eating habits (if you choose to go that direction with your RD credentials).
thank you so much!
Such an important topic and having recovered from an eating disorder, I could not agree more with believing and promoting that you are beautiful as you are. Our society sends us so many negative messages about how we should feel about our bodies and it’s just not true. We are beautiful for WHO we are, not what our body looks like. Trust me, I got down to a very low weight and I was not happier and did not feel more beautiful.
Great post!!
exactly!!!
This is a huge topic that deserves an entire week. I, unfortunately, didn’t hear about it until today, but I did see your tweet from the other day about the kindergartener. It is so sad that the media and the world puts such a hug emphasis on body image and negativity. Thank you for bringing this informatin to others to learn!!
i know. the media plays such a huge role in this issue.
The article about the Kindergarten (and younger) kids having anorexia just KILLS ME. It’s honestly something I thought I was years away from having to worry about – but wow.
Great post for a such a heart-breaking issue.
i know! it just breaks my heart 🙁
What a great post! After coming out of the calorie counting closet this week, I definitely know what it is like to have disordered eating habits, even if it (thankfully) didn’t become a full-fledged eating disorder. It is so important to listen and not criticize or judge, and I am so thankful I found people who are listening when I need to vent. 🙂
As a teacher, I try to encourage my students to be positive in their self talk always. I’ll never forget the impact of having a third grader tell me she couldn’t have a snack because she was too fat.
you’re having such a positive impact as a teacher! thank you!!
YOU ROCK! <3
I LOVE this post Lindsay!! And I always tend to forget that you had a past with eating disorders because you are one of few that so well embraces healthy eating and balance with that, and it’s just so refreshing. And I love your three words for you, totally right on 🙂
thanks, friend 🙂
GREAT post, lady! Everybody does know someone, even if they don’t always realize it. It’s not always an easy thing to talk about but it’s SO important!
It is so sad to see how many young women nowadays are affected by eating disorders. The media puts so much pressure on women to look a certain way. It’s disturbing. But women like you who spread the word, educate, and offer support will make a big difference in these women’s lives. Thank you for being you!
awww, thanks lady!
Great and important post. I went to an all girl school so I saw a lot of this first hand. I think, as women, we all struggle at one point or another and it’s unfortunate that the media has portrayed such an unrealistic image of women.
I think my smile, laugh, and heart are beautiful! =)
i agree. i think everyone has struggled at some point!
I am so late to this post but WOW!!! Thank you for sharing & for the link to Clare! So important these days & actually for so long.. we are under so much pressure to be just so with the media & all.
Not too go off topic but I am a 2013 YMX ambassador & do proud of the women they chose – REAL women!
Thank you again!
Thank you so much for this, wish I had known last month was National Eating Disorder month. I have struggled with binge eating for years and still struggle with not doing it. I am working to develop that healthy relationship with food now as an adult. I really struggle with not focusing on my size now and finding satisfaction with where I am. It’s wonderful that now there is a beginning recognition of binge eating as a disorder and a growing understanding of food addiction as well. There is hope and there is help!
there definitely is! good luck with your journey!
The idea that a person’s worth isn’t tied to their appearance, that just because someone is prettier doesn’t make them better than me or the reverse is something I’ve really been trying to internalize and to sort of live out for the past little bit. It’s a lot harder than it sounds.
it’s definitely hard, but i’m glad you’re making the effort!
xoxoxo
FANTASTIC POST.
thank you so much for sharing my post as a part of this wonderful writeup you’ve done for NEDA! i didn’t know about clare’s challenge but now can’t wait to check it out. the tips you offer are so helpful and the idea of “my body doesn’t make me beautiful” has such an incredible message, even just in the words themselves.
you’re welcome, girl! thought you might like that challenge!
Great post! I have a friend that battled with an eating disorder the majority of her teenage & early adult life. She FINALLY seems to be in a better place though.
Something that makes me beautiful is my drive to follow my passion & do what I love.
following your passion is one of the most beautiful things a person can do!!
Love you Linds. that is all.
love you too, lady!
This is a great post. I have to admit though, I have a bit disappointed lately that all of the focus on eating disorders has been on bulimia and anorexia, when there are more types of disordered eating. If your eating disorder makes you skinny, people accept that and try to help you. If your eating disorder makes you fat, then you’re just a slob with no self control. I just wish that people could understand that body image issues manifest in a lot of different ways, and one is not more difficult than the other.
very true…there are definitely many different kinds of eating disorders, including a bunch that people still know hardly anything about!
Awesome post girl!! I know so many women who deal or have dealt with this. This seems more and more pervasive the more media children and young adults are exposed to. I never remember thinking of these things as a child, preteen, or teen! Crazy….
i agree! it’s getting more and more common at such a young age! so scary!
This is such a great post Lindsay and thank you so much for sharing it. I don’t have much to add to what others have said except that you are truly awesome and setting such an incredible example for others.
This is a fantastic post Lindsay…this topic hits home with me and my family and I just love everything that you said here.
thanks so much, girl!
what hurts is that our society has placed just emphasis on the outer appearance of our bodies, not the inner. The obsession is so damaging. Thank YOU for being the change. Love what you got WITHIN and let that shine OUT
yes it is!! you’re doing a great job yourself!
What a great post. I grew up in a family where looks were the emphasis so not judging others on that is very hard for me. It’s part of my psyche. However, I’ve come a long way. I have let my kids choose how they dress and wear their hair because I realize there is so much more to them than that.
Thank you for sharing! This is something we sll need to be aware of. Especially since it is impacting children at a younger and younger age.
that’s awesome! you’re doing such a great job with your kids!
Love this post. Thank you for writing it! It is really hard for me to talk positively about myself, but I am a caring person and I believe that makes someone beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this! I am just now catching up on blog reading.
I suffered in silence for 20+ years and now have been in recovery for 5 years. It is a topic that most people seem so taboo about. It breaks my heart that others have to suffer the same way that I did, and that the age is getting younger and younger 🙁
You are a truly beautiful person and your spirit shines through your writing. If I was there in the flesh I would have to give you a big hug! Your words are changing lives for the better!
Blessings,
Esther
thanks so much Esther!