Appetizer
Develop a MORE positive body image. Living a healthy lifestyle, is not only about what you do but also about what you think.
Body image is:
(1) How you perceive your physical appearance
(2) How you feel about your appearance
(3) How you feel about your body
(4) How you think others see you
We all have days that we feel generally “blah,” not put together, or just downright fat, and this is completely normal. However, we have to recognize these self-defeating thoughts and counteract them with positive, uplifting ones. Easier said than done? I understand. Trust me, I really do. But this is something that we have to commit to and work towards as we strive to live healthier.
Why?
People who have a negative body image are at greater risk for developing eating disorders (see today’s Main Course) and are more likely to suffer from depression. It can also lead to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem.
Main Course
Eating disorders are characterized by severe disturbances in eating behavior. The practice of an eating disorder can be viewed as a survival mechanism. Just as an alcoholic uses alcohol to cope, a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or restricting to deal with their problems.
Some of the underlying issues that are associated with an eating disorder include low self-esteem, depression, feelings of loss of control, feelings of worthlessness, identity concerns, family communication problems and an inability to cope with emotions. The practice of an eating disorder may be an expression of something that the eating disordered individual has found no other way of expressing.
According to Rader Programs, eating disorders are usually divided into three categories: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Compulsive Overeating.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is a disorder where the main characteristic is the restriction of food and the refusal to maintain a minimal normal body weight. Any actual gain or even perceived gain of weight is met with intense fear by the Anorexic. Not only is there a true feeling of fear, but also once in the grasp of the disorder, Anorexics experience body image distortions. Those areas of the body usually representing maturity or sexuality including the buttocks, hips, thighs and breast are visualized by the Anorexic as being fat. For some Anorexics, weight loss is so severe there is a loss of menses. In the obsessive pursuit of thinness, Anorexics participate in restrictive dieting, compulsive exercise, and laxative and diuretic abuse. If Anorexia Nervosa is left untreated, it can be fatal.
Look Familiar?
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimics are caught in the devastating and addictive binge-purge cycle. The Bulimic eats compulsively and then purges through self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, ipecac, strict diets, fasts, chew-spitting, vigorous exercise, or other compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. Binges usually consist of the consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time. Binge eating usually occurs in secret. Bulimics, like Anorexics, are also obsessively involved with their body shape and weight. The medical complications of the binge-purge cycle can be severe and like Anorexia can be fatal.
Compulsive Overeating
Compulsive Overeaters are often caught in the vicious cycle of binge eating and depression. They often use food as a coping mechanism to deal with their feelings. Binge eating temporarily relieves the stress of these feelings, but is unfortunately followed by feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, and depression. Binge eating, like Bulimia, often occurs in secret. It is not uncommon for Compulsive Overeaters to eat normally or restrictively in front of others and then make up for eating less by bingeing in secret. For other Compulsive Overeaters, binges consist of “grazing” on foods all day long. Similar to Anorexics and Bulimics, Compulsive Overeaters are constantly struggling and unhappy with their weight. The number on the scale often determines how they feel about themselves. Medical complications can also be severe and even life threatening for Compulsive Overeaters.
If you, or someone you know, is exhibiting signs of any of these eating disorders there are lots of people who want to help (myself included).
Read More About Living With Eating Disorders:
Bulimia Blog
Transcend Bulimia
Dessert
All of this talk about body image, leads me to this question…Why am I obsessed with Angelina Jolie? I just don’t understand it. I’m intelligent enough to realize that the media is just trying to manipulate me into caring about her, but I’m obsessed nonetheless.
For me, she not only represents all of the things I fantasize about being – thin, fashionable, talented, philanthropic, devoted mother – never mind the fact that my ankle is bigger than her thigh, shopping at Banana Republic (off the subject – read this hilarious post) is a splurge for me, I haven’t acted since lying to my dad about why I missed curfew, I barely have enough money to pay the mortgage, and I don’t have any kids…And oh yeah, I’m black…just a minor detail though.
Unfortunately, Angelina also stands for many of the things that I don’t want in my life (adultery, family drama, scandal). So, what’s a girl to do?
By the way, Angie & Brad threw me off with the whole Shiloh Nouvel thing, but I guess it’ll grow on me.
Check out All Jolie – A cool Angelina blog.
Speaking of Hollywood stars & being thin (That is what we were speaking about, right?). A fellow blogger writes, “…rumour has it, those mega watt sunglasses the superstars are wearing are a sign they are anorexic in order to get more work.” Click HERE to read the whole post – it’s very entertaining.
Paris Hilton (skinny), Lindsay Lohan (skinny), Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen (skinny & skinny), Nicole Richie (extraordinarily skinny)…It’s really sad, but I totally see where she’s going with that.
Big glasses = Too Thin?
About Cafe Physique:
The mission of Café Physique is to help clients reach and exceed their personal fitness and nutrition goals. If you’re in need of an a nutritionist in Atlanta or an Atlanta personal trainer – Café Physique is the perfect solution. We offer Atlanta yoga instruction, Atlanta prenatal workouts, and Atlanta personal training. We also have private sessions of pilates that Atlanta residents are raving about. We invite you to let a member of our Atlanta registered dietitian staff or personal training team develop and implement a realistic and healthy lifestyle plan to meet your personal goals.
