I Am Aware of My Body and My Health! (Eating Disorder Awareness)

Hey guys, what’s up?

So, this week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The name speaks for itself- an entire week dedicated to making people aware of eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia, etc. This is for the ladies, the gentlemen, and everyone in between.

I have personally never had an eating disorder, nor personally known anyone with an eating disorder, but I am aware of how serious eating disorders can be- physically and mentally. I know that reading fiction books (or even non-fiction books or autobiographies) with main characters who struggle with eating disorders can never compare to experiencing it in real life, even with the small glimpse.

The problem is that eating disorders can be disguised as diets. Diets that start out regular can sometimes turn into eating disorders. And for those who live in societies that pressure people to look a certain way and weigh a certain number of pounds or kilograms, it’s astounding how more people are not aware of the dangers of dieting and doubting how far it can go.

Have I ever been dissatisfied with the way I look? Of course. Have I ever thought of myself as anything but beautiful? Yes. Have I ever tried to change the way I look? Sure. Have I ever tried to diet or police what I eat and how I eat it? Only calorie-wise. I realized that I sometimes eat over 3,500 calories a day (not healthy… maybe even for those who do extraneous exercise) in school when the average adult is only supposed to intake 2,100 to 2,500 calories, give or take a few, depending on the amount of daily exercising and such. But a “true” diet, such as one that cuts out bread or meals altogether? No. I see myself as a healthy, somewhat fit (martial arts and running, woohoo) young woman who can sometimes underestimate my worth based on beauty ideals that are not my own. Still, at the end of the day I do not attempt to change how my body looks by overeating or under-eating.

(Doctor-prescribed diets are another thing- those are really only for those who are in danger of complications with their health.)

Once we are aware, then what? The ideal thing is to promote that “healthy is in,” rather than a certain body type (i.e. – thin, athletic, thick, etc.). It will not be easy- society will always have its expectations, but the policing begins with us. What are our individual standards? What do we want for our kids and young people? Health begins not only with us, but it also begins in the mind. If children see or hear about “issues” with human bodies, they will begin to compare, contrast, put two and two together and look to us to see how we handle this.

That said, keep in mind that setting a positive example and explaining misconceptions to a few people can make so much of a difference. It starts with one. Thanks for reading, you’re all beautiful!

“Body, body, body language,”

~H.P. Echo~