| Everywhere one looks today, people are being "told" | | | | and a plethora of psychological problems. And, while |
| that to have the ideal body one must look like they just | | | | women are more likely to have an eating disorder, it is |
| stepped out of the pages of Vogue or Cosmopolitan. | | | | not a "female only"; nor is it something only seen in |
| However, the truth for most is that looking like a top | | | | teens or adults. |
| paid model is nowhere near reality. Unfortunately, many | | | | 5 Ways to Love Your Body |
| people go to extreme lengths to maintain what they | | | | Your acceptance of your body is a critical part of your |
| perceive to be the "perfect body". These extreme | | | | well-being. In fact, as "perfect" as they may seem, |
| lengths are often practices like bulimia or anorexia-both | | | | even supermodels struggle with accepting their body. |
| of which are deteriorating and debilitating to the body. | | | | To help you love your body, here are some things to |
| Basic Definitions of Eating Disorders | | | | do. |
| It should first be noted, that just because a person is | | | | |
| slim does not necessarily mean that they are anorexic | | | | 1. Think of your body as a much loved vehicle. In order |
| or bulimic. Some people are naturally blessed with the | | | | to run smoothly it must be fed the right amounts of |
| ability to stay slim while others have to work at it. | | | | food, be used (exercised) and should be taken care of. |
| However, those who are anorexic or bulimic take that | | | | 2. Your body is amazing. No other creature on earth |
| "working on it" to an extreme. If you, or someone you | | | | can do the things a human can do. We are able to |
| know, fall into either of the following categories- getting | | | | think, plan, or create. We have the ability to weigh out |
| help is a must. | | | | decisions, make choices and love more deeply than |
| Anorexia nervosa is when a person is obsessed with | | | | any other living thing. We are beautifully designed. |
| food and being too thin; usually to the point of near | | | | 3. Don't let weight or size keep you from doing those |
| starvation. Bulimia nervosa is when someone has | | | | things you enjoy. |
| episodes of eating large amounts of food followed by | | | | 4. Wear clothing that shows your own style and feel |
| using excessive exercise or purging through a variety | | | | good to your body. Whether it's donning a hat or |
| of methods to remove the unneeded/unwanted | | | | Velcro tennis, wear clothes that show off who you |
| calories from the body. It is not uncommon for those | | | | are! |
| with bulimia to a normal weight or just slightly | | | | 5. Make a list of ten positive things about |
| overweight. | | | | yourself-without mentioning what you look like. Who |
| For people who suffer from either of these disorders, | | | | you are, has nothing to do with what size you wear. |
| there can be long term trauma. These issues can | | | | You have talents, abilities and a personality that all |
| affect one's job, relationships, ability to have children, | | | | make up who you are. |