A Reminder of Why I Do This

I have struggled with my self image my whole life.  Some days I am body positive, and some days I say horrible things about myself that I would never say to anyone else.  One of the reasons I decided to get into the fitness industry was to change others perceptions of themselves so that they never had to feel badly like I have.

It was with sadness that I read a little snippet in the newspaper at work this morning:  "Isabelle Caro, Model Who Battled Anorexia, Dies at 28."  I had read about Isabelle when she became the poster child for anorexia during fashion week a few years ago.

Isabelle Caro

Although the report I read was unclear about the cause of death, it is certain that her years of struggle with the disease of anorexia were a contributing factor. 

I am hoping that through this blog I can reach out to those who are struggling with eating disorders and body dismorphic issues and that we can all help each other heal.  Losing lives to such a powerful illness is a reminder to us all that food (or the lack there of) is powerful.

Let's be mindful as we start 2011 that we can be the change we would like to see in this world!

Sugar Plum Scary

Okay, first of all I want to be applauded for my punny title.  I know, right?

Now, seriously. . .

Bad Ass Black Swan

I watched the movie "Black Swan" this weekend, and although it was an amazing movie and I couldn't wait to recommend it to everyone, I knew that my client's at the gym were going to start coming in asking for Natalie Portman's sleek physique.  I find ballet dancers to have beautiful bodies and I respect the hours of training it takes to appear like it is so easy, when I know from my limited ballet training in college it most certainly isn't.

Eating disorders and body dismorphia are common problems in the dance world, so it is no wonder there has been such a public outcry when a New York Times critic called Jennifer Ringer, the dancer playing the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, fat.

Jennifer Ringer

When you watch her interview and see her dance, you are going to think this guy is out of his f-ing mind.  I would have wanted an apology, but that's me.  If anything, Ringer is getting the last laugh.

Oh, Marie Claire. Tsk Tsk Tsk.

Have you all heard this story?  I had to put my Thintervention recap on hold for a moment because my blood is boiling!!!

Marie Claire, magazine "for women", had the huge lady balls to publish this article entitled "Should Fatties Get a Room?".  Writer Maura Kelly (who is going to have to move into witness protection after this one) "delves" into her feelings about the CBS comedy "Mike and Molly" (that I love!!!) and whether the two characters should be shown in intimate situations.  Like kissing.  Or hand holding.  Maura talks about how the obese characters are disgusting and compares them to alcoholics and heroin addicts-- and even talks about how anorexia is not so bad because at least some models are naturally thin!

WTF, people.  WTF?

First of all, the characters Mike and Molly meet in Overeaters Anonymous.  They are trying to be happy with themselves inside and out.  They both have great jobs- Mike is a cop and Molly is a grade school teacher- and they realize through their crazy families and friends that they need not to turn to food for comfort.  And now that they have met each other, they can make this journey together.  I was worried about this show at first, because I did not want to see a show that was exploitative of the obese or was making fun.  I feel like the writers get what it is like to be heavy and having to deal with all the BS that is out there but still make the show a great romantic comedy.  I love the actress playing Molly!  Her eyes sparkle, she has a great smile, she always dresses cute.  Mike is HILARIOUS and sweet.  I don't even see them as overweight because the show doesn't make you focus on that.

Reading this article made me sad because the author clearly has issues with food or weight (read her apology-surprise- she had an eating disorder) and thinks that losing weight is "easy" and just a matter of choice.  Anyone that has ever struggled knows that they would give up anything to be thin, thinking it will solve all of their issues, only to realize that it is clearly what is on the inside that counts and once you deal with that you can move forward.  If being at a healthy weight were easy, we would all be there, right?

I am also sickened that an article like this would actually make it into a magazine for women.  We come in all shapes, and to think so narrowly of your readership proves that Marie Claire has NOT A CLUE who reads their magazine.  Just read all the drama on Twitter and on their Facebook page!

Like Juan Williams, I wouldn't be surprised if Maura Kelly loses her job.  Or if Marie Claire loses a huge chunk of readers.  May it be a lesson that the obese and overweight, like gay teens, also do not deserved to be bullied.  And they can kiss on TV as much as they would like  because they are PEOPLE.  We are human and we need to be loved, just like everybody else does. . .right, Morrisey?

What's Eating You?- First Episode Thoughts

What's Eating You is a new six part series on E! that chronicles different people with different types of eating disorders:  Everything from anorexia and bulimia to the more bizarre like eating chalk.  Chalk?  Hmm.

Here is the commercial for the show.



The first episode followed two girls, 21-year-old Adrienne and 20-year-old Danni, as they tried to cope with their eating disorders.  Adrienne is anorexic and Danni binges and purges.  Their stories couldn't be anymore different, though. 

Adrienne's mom had been anorexic as well.  Adrienne is a dancer in an Elvis review, eats oatmeal, looks like Paris Hilton, and doesn't think she is skinny.  Danni was the All American cheerleader who started binging and purging when she didn't make captain of the cheer squad.  Her parent's took out a loan to send her to treatment and when she returned she went back to her old ways.

Both girls are going to out patient therapy, and Adrienne is also seeing a registered dietician.  I feel bad to see their struggles with their sense of self and where they fit in in the world.  I am not sure that this show is a beneficial show for the true exploration of an eating disorder.  I mean, it IS on the E channel, home of the Kardashians and Kendra and the Girls Next Door. 

The show didn't show the girls getting better.  Adrienne lost two jobs (her Elvis gig and a job as a dance teacher TO YOUNG GIRLS!!!!!) over the course of the show and although she realized she actually did have anorexia, the show didn't show her progress.  They did state at the end of the show she had gained six pounds, though.  Danni pouted and cried through her therapy sessions and then fired her therapist.  According to her mom she has done this many times.  Danni had mentioned she felt like her family didn't pay enough attention to her-- so the eating disorder created the attention that she craved.  Maybe she wasn't ready to give it up yet.  I am not a doctor or a psychologist, so this is just my opinion.

As a fit blogger, I felt a need to cover this show.  I have had my own trials and tribulations with my own body issues, and I am always wanting to learn more about what makes people with these illnesses tick.  I don't know if E really handles these issues with the care they deserve or if they are making it into salacious television watching.  If eating chalk and being anorexic are in the same category, I don't know what the goal of the show is.  To show that these people are freaks?  Or people that need help?

UPDATE! Us: 1 Urban Outfitters: 0

I am happy to announce the "Eat Less" tee that I wrote about yesterday has been removed from Urban Outfitters web site. There was enough outrage at the HuffingtonPost.com article that the company took it off!

We can make a difference! If you tell businesses that you don't like their irresponsible practices, sometimes they listen. I won't take full credit. . .but I am happy to help. :)

Let's get them to carry my "I Eat Healthy" tee, instead. And maybe remove their shirt from their stores, too?

Really? C'mon, Urban Outfitters!

Urban Outfitters,



I am writing this letter to you after I saw this shirt on HuffingtonPost.com.

REALLY? Don't play coy, Urban Outfitters. It isn't just a t-shirt. It's what is on the t-shirt. You know that your demographic is girls in their teens and early twenties. You know that you don't cater to the "eat more" sect. This shirt is an a-hole move by some a-hole designer who is stirring up controversy and bad body image issues.

I'm waiting for you to roll out an "Insert Finger Here to Vomit" tee.

Sincerely,

Alison