Learn to Love Your Body

This week, February 26 – March 3, 2012 marks the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  In the United States, about 10 million females and 1 million males are battling with eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia.  The National Eating Disorder Awareness theme this year is “Everyone Knows Someone” because of the increased spread of these disorders.  Eating disorders do not discriminate and can affect males and females of any race and of any age.  Awareness is the first step to conquering these disorders. 

With today’s media and advertisements showing stick-thin models as being the “in” way to look, more and more people are developing body image issues which can lead to serious eating disorders.  

Here are some positive things we tend to lose sight on:

• Appreciate all that your body does for you.  It carries you closer to your dreams and aspirations. 
• Think of 10 of your best qualities that you like about yourself, not weight or appearance related.  Beauty on the inside is much greater than beauty on the outside.  PUT AWAY THE SCALE and focus on all that your body does for you!
• Have an amazing support system and keep yourself surrounded by positive people. 
• Wear clothing that accentuates your best body parts.  Work with your body to make yourself feel comfortable and confident.
• Give yourself “me” time, treat yourself to a massage, or manicure, or relax and read your favorite book.  In other words, take some time to appreciate yourself and all of your accomplishments.

Eating disorders can be very dangerous and can cause serious irreversible health issues.   Some signs may include:

-significant weight loss

-obsessing over weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting

-refusal to eat certain foods or eliminating food groups

-anxiety about gaining weight

-developing food rituals such as over chewing foods or leaving excess food on the plate

-denial of hunger

-excessive exercising in order to burn off calories that have been eaten

If you know of someone who is battling with an eating disorder, you can play a significant role in their support system.  Additional information can be found at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org .

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