Talking about Weight Stigma

Marci Anderson is an RD who specializes in eating disorder treatment whom I hold in very high respect. She's a wonderful person both as a friend and colleague. Once a month, she and other individuals interested in ending eating disorders gather on Twitter to talk about topics that relate to self-esteem, body image and food. This twitter chat is called #ended and it's a fantastic way to share your opinion and connect with others who want to make this a more body-positive world.

This Wednesday (September 21st at 8:30pm EST) @MarciRD and @BEDAorg will be addressing the topic of weight stigma.

You might be asking what exactly is weight stigma? Weight stigma is bullying, teasing, negative body language, harsh comments, discrimination, or prejudice based upon a person’s body size. Weight Stigma is something that shames and hurts many people (of all shapes and sizes) and it is time to spread an awareness of how harmful it is to all and talk about it.

About BEDA
Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) was founded to help those who have binge eating disorder, their friends and family, and those who treat the disorder. BEDA provides individuals who suffer from eating disorders with the recognition and resources they deserve to begin a safe journey toward a healthy recovery. To learn more about BEDA check out: http://www.bedaonline.com/ Marci's website and blog are also fantastic-look at Marci RD

RSVP on Facebook and we hope you join in!

Slow Down, you crazy child!

"Wow, you eat really fast don't you?"

I glanced up from my meal with my roommate, looked down, and replied "yes, I guess I do. I need to work on that"

Cause that's what being Guiltless is about, right?

Acknowledging that no one is perfect and we all have things we could work on to make ourselves happier, healthier, and more satisfied.

My name is Elizabeth Jarrard and I am a speedy eater. I don't feel like I rush through my meal, but I definitely can eat at quite the clip. And as much as I advocate mindful, intuitive eating, it's also something I am working on myself.

So this week I'm challenging myself to slow down and make sure I am eating my meals with intent and mindfulness. How hungry am I? Am I full? Am I satisfied? What am I craving? Can I chew that 5 more times and savor every single nuance of flavor? This will be the week that I slow down. Maybe i'll love it, i know i'll learn something!

What things challenge you this week?

I've been bad

Have you been "bad"?

How often do we hear that word tossed around in circles of (usually) girls, women, ladies?

"I was so bad this weekend. I ate 20billion hotdogs 40 thousand donuts, and countless Long Island Ice teas"

image source

Well if you did eat that much, you would be in a pretty bad place-probably in a hospital.
but were you really BAD? Did you rob a bank? How many people did you kill?

Bad is something we inflict on ourselves Bad=guilt=binge=bad=guilt=binge you get the cycle

You are forgiven, for you have not sinned

All foods can fit into a lifestyle. I am never here to be the food police and tell you who's under arrest. Eat what makes you feel alive, well and whole. Don't deny, just make decisions that make you feel good. Because that's never bad.

via Cora:

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves. -Mary Oliver

what will you do this week that is good?

Eating Disorders are Not cool: NEDA Awareness Week

Today marks the beginning of NEDAwareness Week which aims to prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment.

Eating disorders are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices, and affect men and women across all racial, economic, and educational boundaries. Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, biological and social factors. Look at the state of the world we live in today! A study found that adolescent girls were more fearful of gaining weight than getting cancer, nuclear war or losing their parents. Because we live in a culture that emphasizes an unrealistic ideal for most people, many try to fight our natural size and shape determined by genetics, through unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and decreased self-esteem, which fosters the beginning of disordered eating.

In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Approximately 15 million more are struggling with binge eating disorder. Eating disorders rank among the 10 leading causes of disability among young women [Mathers et al., 2000] Eating disorders do not affect women exclusively. Men also suffer from eating disorders. Incidence of eating disorders has increased over the last 30 to 40 years [Academy of Eating Disorders, 2007] Not only are they becoming more predominant, but they are deadly diseases. Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychological illness. Estimates range from 5% to 20%. [Birmingham et al., 2005]

Eating disorders have a profoundly negative impact on an individual's quality of life, wrecking self-image, interpersonal relationships, financial status, and job performance. While eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses, there is help available Recovery is possible. NEDA has information and resources available via their website and helpline:Helpline: 800 931-2237

Spread the awareness about eating disorders. Join the event on Facebook! If you are on twitter, Marci Anderson, a RD who specializes in eating disorders will be hosting a twitterchat on February 23^rd at 8:30pm EST with the hashtag #endED Join in!

So this week let’s take some extra time to remember that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. You are more than the number on the scale. Celebrate your inner beauty, strength, and spirit! Live Guiltlessly!

Tell me one thing you love about yourself today!