Have you noticed that lately your teenage daughter or son is making a lot of comments about their body, or food? Is there a recurring theme to each day that includes:
“I’m too fat”
“I can’t eat that or I’ll gain weight”
“I look terrible in these jeans”
“I wish I looked like her/him”
“I wish I looked like Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus…”
“I’m just not hungry” meal after meal.
“I’ll just eat later” or “I’ll eat in my room”
Recently I was introduced to Martha by a friend and fellow speaker who is also dedicated to helping young people in college. Martha shared with me her desire to pay it forward and share her story of recovery from anorexia to inspire others to follow the same path she has and begin living again. I’m so pleased to share this article with you.
For a parent it can be difficult to understand how their young son or daughter developed anorexia or bulimia or became obese. Most parents don’t typically intend to knowingly cause issues for your kids. But in working with teens with eating disorders and their parents it’s interesting to see how many times parents aren’t tuned in to the messages that are being given to their child.
Did you know that over 10 million individuals in the United States are suffering with eating disorders, and the numbers are increasing daily? Did you know that this number is completely skewed because so many individuals like me, have never told anyone? It wasn’t until my book, It Started with Pop-Tarts came out in 2008 that people knew I had lived with bulimia for many years. It’s embarrassing, it’s a behavioral addiction that forces you into isolation to hide the shame, guilt and fear you’re experiencing.
Tonight I’ll be interviewing author, teacher, poet and all-round great story teller Rayni Joan for our Learn2Balance VIP Connection series. Rayni will share some of what she has learned about how to balance her life. Like many of us, Rayni had her share of struggles in life. But she has turned her struggles into opportunity and is now sharing her story to enlighten and inspire people just like you about ways you can follow in her footsteps.
