A Promise to Myself
June 19, 2008
Everyone has a weight loss story that they want to share; success stories that delve into what set them off on their journey, how they lost the weight, changes they went through, and how they suddenly put on their skinny jeans.
But something I’ve rarely seen touched upon is the “after” story. How the “high” of weight loss—especially for someone who had not previously been thin—can lead to disordered eating, an infrequently-discussed yet real phenomenon that I know affects many women … myself included.
Everyone talks about bulimia, anorexia, binge eating … but disordered eating is an even bigger problem: according to a recent SELF poll, 6 out of 10 women are disordered eaters.
There isn’t a ton of data out there, but I have heard personal anecdotes from those who have undergone the transformation from fat to fit, chubby to trim, and now are dealing with the aftermath…the struggle to not only maintain the weight loss, but also the demons many of us battle when we pin our self-worth to the number on the scale. Sustained weight loss is truly a psychological, emotional and physical challenge. And the non-physical challenge is perhaps the most difficult because it’s the one most of us battle alone.
In telling my own story on my blog over the next few days, and sharing my ongoing struggles with disordered eating from here on out, I want to raise awareness about the very real sickness that plagues so many women–and to let them know that they are not alone. I want to launch a dialogue to empower women to take control of this sickness so it no longer controls us.
And I want to be free from the chains of negative self-image that are tied to a number on a scale … I want to be healthy and free. It’s my promise to myself. I deserve it, and you do, too. Join me!
Entry Filed under: Intro. Tags: disordered eating.
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1.
Laurie | June 26, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Thanks for starting this blog. I’m going to bookmark it and check in regularly. As someone who’s going into a health and wellness career (totally discovered while on WW) I’m wanting to learn as much as possible on this subject. I’m hoping to work with children as I believe that starting them young is so important. I was never shown good examples and although very thin as a child it caught up with me a an adult and as you know a whole new set of issues. I see a lot of these behaviors in myself, so it’s nice to “identify” with others.
Thanks again
Laurie
2.
lissa10279 | June 26, 2008 at 4:59 pm
That is such a good point, Laurie, that it’s helpful to start talking about this subject when children are young, before it becomes a problem.
3. Happy Birthday, Sweet Blog ‘o Mine!! « Tales of a (Recovering) Disordered Eater | June 24, 2009 at 5:40 pm
[...] For a year now, I’ve been blogging about body image issues, disordered eating, recovery, chewing/spitting, midnight eating, emotional/mindless eating, over-exercising, Points counting, Sparkpeople, blogotherapy, traditional therapy, anxiety, eating disorders, films/books/magazines of interest … [...]
4. When Does “Diligence” End and “Obsession” Begin? « Tales of a (Recovering) Disordered Eater | October 27, 2009 at 2:28 am
[...] Points, ramping up my workouts) drove me to obsession. And I know now that I’m not alone. Per a ground-breaking SELF study that led to the development of my blog, 6 out of 10 women are disordered eaters–many a result [...]
5.
When Does “Diligence” End and “Obsession” Begin? « we are the REAL deal | October 27, 2009 at 10:43 am
[...] Points, ramping up my workouts) drove me to obsession. And I know now that I’m not alone. Per a ground-breaking SELF study that led to the development of my blog, 6 out of 10 women are disordered eaters–many a result [...]
6.
Jon | December 10, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Women aren’t the only sex that struggle with this.
As an aspiring model, I had gotten down to a 31.5 waist and felt AWESOME (within fashion standards).
Now, I’m back up to a 33 and fighting to look in the mirror in the mornings with my shirt off because I hate the way I look.
Thank you for this. I am going to check back, for sure.
7.
lissa10279 | December 10, 2009 at 2:57 pm
That is good to know that men struggle too, Jon — not that I wish anyone to struggle with their body image, but it’s nice to know women aren’t the only ones who deal with this.