With summer in full swing, we’ve all been experiencing the familiar, not-so-subtle hum around beach bodies, getting bikini-ready, and the many ways to ensure you’re presenting your “best self” this summer.
You’ve likely been hearing about diets, revolutionized workouts, dressing for your body type, and people will throw around phrases like “intermittent fasting,” “low-im- pact workouts,” and “balancing your hormones.” All of this is supposedly in the name of becoming a healthier you – but re- ally, they’re all dog whistle terms for making yourself smaller, leaner, and more entrapped in damaging body and self-image standards. Often, they even encourage forms of disordered eating or lay the groundwork for the development of an eat- ing disorder.
Most women these days have felt pressure to count calories, “bounce back” after a baby, or try the latest workout trend. However, what’s not acknowledged enough is the many ways this messaging and these norms seep into our mindsets and become the dominant thought.
Do you have any loved ones or friends (or maybe yourself ) who just can’t seem to skip a workout, even if it means missing something important? Who won’t sample the bread at the new restaurant you’re trying, or will only have one bite of their own birthday cake? These are prime examples of this messaging – which comes at us from all sides, all the time – taking effect. They are also examples which may indicate an eating disorder or form of disordered eating, which refers to problematic habits which may not quite qualify as a classified eating disorder.
This messaging prevents us from enjoying our favorite foods, takes time away from hobbies and loved ones, dom- inates our thoughts, and dulls our passions. The habits that result diminish our quality of life, limit our ability to love ourselves, live in the moment, and even change how we treat people, including those we love most.
When operating in a state of disordered eating, at the most basic level, your thoughts will revolve around food regardless of how much or how little you’ve eaten. In many cases, this lack of fullness and nutrition can lead to irritability or even rage, severely heightened anxiety, lethargy, lack of mental cognition, insomnia, loss of interest, and long-term health complications.
Self-improvement,” which is what this messaging is so often disguised as, is a slippery slope to negative self-talk, inescapable food noise, and developing a diagnosable eating disorder – and each stage is worse than the last. It’s not worth sacrificing your happiness.
The Emily Program has a long history of helping women move past this messaging and rediscover themselves – out- side of the food noise, self-criticism, societal standards, and deeply entrenched habits. We’re all worth the time and effort it takes to foster a sense of self love, comfort, and feeling at home with oneself.
If you or a loved one is struggling, the experts at The Emily Program are here to help – you can schedule a free assessment over the phone at any time; both virtual and in-person in Cleveland and Columbus. Personalized care is there for whenever it’s time.
Visit www.emilyprogram.com to learn more.
