Skip to main content

"Fat Shaming" Yourself



I was scrolling though my social media today and noticed many women who are posting selfies "fat shaming" themselves. I saw women writing things like "under this fat," "I hate my body," "fluffy," "this isn't healthy." It saddened me to the reality of women today with the unrealistic expectations society places on a standard of beauty which pushes women into dieting or extreme exercise. 50% of commercials targeting a women audience mention physical attractiveness not to forget a profiting diet and beauty industry that is getting rich off  pills and waist trainers by exploiting these women's struggles. This leads to mental health concerns including low self esteem, body image issues, depression, anxiety,  and eating disorder, just to name a few. I decided to do some research and found  women experience an average of 13 negative thoughts about themselves daily, while 97% of women admit to having a "I hate my body," thought each day. Female athletes have a 20% change of establishing an eating disorder with the highest risk including those in aesthetic sports (i.e. gymnastics, ballet, figure skating, bodybuilding). I had a client tell me today "I will be happy when I lose 10 more pounds," after losing 40! Which is amazing by the way. I told her "don't wait til then to be happy. Be happy now! Your happiness is not dependent on your size!."

I challenge you to reflect on how you are talking to yourself everyday. I am sure we would never talk to another women in this way. So why talk to the most important women in your life like that ... You! We have to work on love and caring for the relationship with ourselves just as much as our relationship with others. If you are struggling with negative self talk or negative habits around eating or exercise please contact a therapist and seek help.

Last but not least remember, You are Beautiful!

Love,

Fit Therapist

Sources:
Zucker NL, Womble LG, Williamson DA, et al. Protective factors for eating disorders in female college athletes. Eat Disorders 1999; 7: 207-218. 

 Sungot-Borgen, J. Torstveit, M.K. (2004) Prevalence of ED in Elite Athletes is Higher than in the General Population. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 14(1), 25-32.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cravings and Why Willpower is Not Enough!

Websters dictionary defines willpower as "energetic determination." Whenever I ask someone where willpower comes from they say something like "internal strength." It is the desire to control your impulses. It that internal drive that some of us seem to have more of than others. To me this is a not very well defined term yet it is that one thing that everyone wants and believes will move them forward in all of their goals. I need to find the "willpower," the "motivation;" like it will fall out of the air straight into your lap. The truth about willpower!  The truth is will power is considered by some researchers to be a limited and fast reduced resource. The term they use is "willpower depletion." Saying "no" takes a mental toll on you and that is where this "internal strength," comes from. Willpower is like a muscle that after continued use can reach this point of depletion where we give into our cravings or ...
Post a Comment
Read more

My First Post!

Hello Everyone! I am excited and skeptical about writing this first post. Every time you start something new and unfamiliar it can cause uncertainty. Additionally if you know me personally, I am not the most technologically savvy. I have never had an interest in writing a blog; however my uncle began a blog and mentioned how much joy and fulfillment it brought him. Also, in my pursuit of my degree I have realized that I acquire interesting and inspiring knowledge every day that can help others. Through writing this, I hope to dispel some of my creative juices, express myself professionally and hopefully light a fire in you with some of the topics I chose to post about. Please take the time to follow my uncle’s blog at   http://adventuresofteacher-dad.com/ and I look forward to writing more.  Future Therapist
1 comment
Read more

Getting Fit in 2014: Insanity is truly INSANE!

With the new year approaching, tons of people will make the goal to get fit in 2014. Being fit and healthy has been a year round goal for me and since the gyms will have an influx of membership in the next coming weeks I decided to begin Insanity . I have just completed my second week and I must say it is truly INSANE! I consider myself to be in good shape for women my age. Before, I worked out three times a week and had adequate nutrition. However, Insanity has definitely intensified my workouts. I am working out six days a week and following their nutrition plan of five small meals a day (for the most part). I altered my schedule and am training my body to wake up and work out before work. Personally if I waited to after work to conquer these challenging work outs, I would talk myself out of doing them. On top of Insanity I have continued my yoga practice, part of my exercise routine I can not live without. I have a...
Post a Comment
Read more