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

Eating Away the Pain: The Connection between Trauma and Binge Eating

From a very young age we starting learning about the world around us and adjust to our environment for survival. From the way we act, think, behave, react and interact with others. Our learning comes out in practices, health habits, past times, spirituality and lifestyle choices. All of us are culturally connected to the things we eat whether we prefer rice and beans or oxtail and peas. We are additionally influenced by life events. For years scientists have recognized a link between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the development of eating disorders, i.e. binge eating. Trauma is an actual or perceived life threatening even  often leads to a stress reaction (anxiety, fear, depression, anger). Often times in order to deal with that anxiety people turn to food, alcohol or other substances to mask, avoid or "stuff" the pain. Research shows that 1 in 4 people who binge eat  have PTSD Symptoms of PTSD and Binge Eatin g 1. Stressful memories, flash backs and trigg...
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