I have never had a healthy relationship with my body. I mean, when I was a kid, I did not think too much about it. My legs were for running, my arms were for climbing, and my hips were for dancing. I used to swing on the street to the music of Madonna and Elton John. But so between fifth and sixth, my mind changed. My perception changed, and I began to see myself in a new light. I saw my body through a new lens. Unfortunately, this lens was not positive or rosy; Oh no. Instead, it was hard and mean. It was through and through criticism. And before I knew it, the voices of contempt were so loud that I became ill. Very sick. I developed an eating disorder.
Of course, there were numerous factors that contributed to my illness. I was young and vulnerable. I lived in a dysfunctional home, the decline of which is common. My life was out of control. I changed, physically speaking, and did not know how to go. My newfound curves made me self-aware. I felt out of proportion and saw myself as fat and fat. And I felt that way because I grew up in America, a country that glorifies thinness.
I came of age in the “Baby Got Back” era. Models walked away in their underwear. Abs were inside. Imagine my horror and amazement when I see it on social media: a photo before and after weight loss of a ‘normal’ woman and one who is slim. Her shoulders protrude from her body. She regrets that she was once a friend 6. and describes herself and her journey as brave. She thinks to waste, she thinks.
But skipping meals is not a sign of strength. Saying no to snacks is not courageous or cool.
Maybe you think I’m just jealous – that I’m judgmental and ‘slim shy’. But truly, I am not. I was criticized for my appearance. For context, I was once an adult who weighed only 86 pounds. But I am concerned about the message that her images and images like this send, because it maintains the belief that our weight determines our value. To be appreciated, appreciated and loved, you must have a certain size – that is, you must be hella-thin. These images indicate that she is a success because she is smaller. She “wins” in life – and the rest of us fail. We ‘gave up’ or ‘gave in’. And these images are problematic because they can be caused by those with eating disorders and / or a history of disorderly habits.
A study from 2015 from Australia found that viewing ‘fitspiration’ posts on Instagram led to worse mood, physical dissatisfaction and a lower self-esteem among the women who viewed it. It did not build up others; it pushed them down. Fitspiration posts, like these, have made others feel inadequate and small.
In addition, photos tell only part of a story. It is a snapshot of one’s life, a moment that is suspended in time. And no one really knows what happened before or after. No one knows the truth – as many before photos show individuals during pregnancy or shortly thereafter, and many aftermaths change. We stand a little longer, hold our heads a little higher and “suck in.” After photos are almost always sucked in, it is necessary. In addition, some are obtained with unhealthy means.
In the post I saw, the individual concerned achieved her ideal form by alternating fasting, or alternating between periods of eating and non-eating, and people applauded her. They wanted to know her tips, tricks and secrets. But this is poisonous nonsense. It’s dangerous, through and through. Because alternating fasting and other restrictive diets are just that: diets. They were repackaged eating disorders.
Make no mistake: Some “experts” support weight loss diets and plans. Intermittent fasting, for example, has several alleged health benefits. It is believed that the act can reduce insulin resistance, stress reactions and even prevent cancer. However, any diet that requires you to limit what you eat or when you eat is ‘disorderly’. It is only packaged by a ‘healthy’ lens.
“Every time you apply strict food rules, whether food, types of food, and so on, our bodies will consider it a threat and want to load the food whenever it can,” said Colleen Christensen, a registered dietitian. , recently told Scary Mommy. “Binge eating is a common phenomenon that happens. It can also lead to other disordered eating such as orthorexia or severe fear of eating food outside the established rules. All this leads to increased stress in the body, which is not beneficial to our health. [Intermittent fasting] usually leads to weight cycling (lost, regained, lost, regained, etc.) shown increases the risk of disease.”
Some would naturally argue that alternating fasting is not a diet but a lifestyle. But it is dangerous and insecure at best. That is simply not true. Because it’s always a diet when you follow a system of eating and restriction. Period. End of discussion.
Although you think you are helping others with your before and after photos – even though you think you are encouraging and optimistic about others, you may want to think twice before sharing your diet journey as it may be harmful to others. It can be hurtful, and it can cause. Your “success” story can cause even more shame and pain.