Celebrate Our Diversity
It is Body Image Awareness Week (5th – 11th September 2011), which aims to raise awareness about the seriousness of Eating Disorders and Negative Body Image.
Here at Tune In Not Out we have heaps of factsheets and videos to provide you with in-depth info on both eating disorders and body image. A full list of these is featured at the end of the blog.
In today’s blog we give a quick summary of some key points.
Five Facts about Eating Disorder
Beat, a UK service has five facts about eating disorders that we felt summed it up nicely.
- An eating disorder is not attention seeking
- An eating disorder is not a dieting craze
- An eating disorder is an illness
- An eating disorder is serious
- Eating Disorders can be beaten
The butterfly Foundation also adds “ They are not a lifestyle choice and are about feelings, not food and you can’t always tell just by looking at someone if they are suffering.”
Improving Our Self Esteem and Body confidence
In a recent article on www.beautyheaven.com.au, the CEO of The Butterfly Foundation, Christine provided some tips for improving our self-esteem and body confidence. Check them out…
- First and most importantly, remember that your true value and worth as a person has to do with your values and who you are – not your shape or size.
- Diversity is the key – we come in all shapes and sizes.
- Our bodies are incredibly complex ‘machines’ that allow us to live, breathe and do all that we want to do – respect them for what they are not for what they look like.
- Eliminate fat talk! This is a form of self-bullying and as with all abuse, it causes harm.
- Remind yourself daily of the qualities about yourself that you value and admire – your ability to listen to people, your compassion, sense of humour, kind heart, intellect … the list is endless but none of it needs to relate to size or shape.
- Recognise and celebrate your achievements – focus on what you do not your looks.
Read the full article here.
Get Informed
Check out these pages all available right here on Tune In Not Out for more information and heaps of great videos.
Eating Disorders
- Eating Disorders – Intro
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Other Eating Disorders
- Guys + Eating Disorders
- Treatment Options for eating Disorders
- Helping someone with an eating disorder
Body Image and Self Esteem
Image Acknowledgement
Nesting Dolls by Number657 on Flickr under a Creative Commons License
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I was in a very abusive relationship and had developed an ‘almost’ eating disorder. I could only eat 3 forkfulls of food at tea time for the whole day. I had lost 1/2 of my body weight, it was so bad I couldn’t handle even having my toothbrush in my mouth without dry reaching. I went to see a dr when I could see my ribs easily. Without knowing my relationship or me at all he said ‘You are trying to control just one thing in your life’. He nailed me. Knew me. But because he was male I could no longer see him (due to my partner at the time). It was another year or so before I had the courage to leave my partner. One month after I left my appetite picked up , and in several months my body has gained its former weight (plus a few extra kilos). Its been 7 1/2 months since I left. I now have control over my life and are able to eat 3 times a day plus snacks. Food is no longer the only thing in my life I can control, I can control most things so food is no longer linked to my emotions/feelings. I still get the dry reaching at times, but thats usually when my ex’s control over me is on my mind.
Hi Belle,
We are so pleased to hear that you were able to find help and not only overcome your eating disorder but also leave the relationship. Your story is an inspiration. We wish you all the best for the future. Thank you for sharing your story.