Here's the next installment in my memoir videos. You can find PART ONE here and PART TWO here. Here's PART THREE, continuing right along:
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Monday, June 28, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
PART TWO of "So, What's Your Story?"
Here's the next installment in my memoir videos. You can find PART ONE here. This is PART TWO:
PART THREE TO COME SHORTLY.
PART THREE TO COME SHORTLY.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
"So, What's YOUR Story?"
There is one question I get asked a lot. So I thought I'd answer it... slowly and in video form. I've had this blog for 3 years and I've never really given a play by play of my own history. I've touched on things here and there, mentioned details in reference to the advice I've given, and clearly explained that I recovered from anorexia, but I haven't really delved into all of it. It's not typically what I'm about. I mean, how many eating disorder memoirs are out there?
But I'm not ashamed and I'm an open book. :)
It will be in parts, because of the 10 minute time limit on videos.
Here we go...
This is my story (in a nutshell).
Memoir PART ONE
But I'm not ashamed and I'm an open book. :)
It will be in parts, because of the 10 minute time limit on videos.
Here we go...
This is my story (in a nutshell).
Memoir PART ONE
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Video Version of "Dealing with Summer" + Your Body
This week's topic is:
"Make your clothes fit you instead of making your body fit your clothes. Many popular clothing retailers produce clothing that flatter thin body types. There is a lot of pressure to buy those "goal jeans" that may never flatter your body type. Many times having a fashion makeover that flatters your body type can make any body look appealing, and improve self-esteem. How can we respect our bodies by finding clothing that fits our body instead of making our body fit clothing."
My video is a spoken version of my latest post regarding clothing and summer, but there are some other tidbits as well, including links to 4 other videos that are relevant. I know some people enjoy watching/listening vs. reading, so here you go!
"Make your clothes fit you instead of making your body fit your clothes. Many popular clothing retailers produce clothing that flatter thin body types. There is a lot of pressure to buy those "goal jeans" that may never flatter your body type. Many times having a fashion makeover that flatters your body type can make any body look appealing, and improve self-esteem. How can we respect our bodies by finding clothing that fits our body instead of making our body fit clothing."
My video is a spoken version of my latest post regarding clothing and summer, but there are some other tidbits as well, including links to 4 other videos that are relevant. I know some people enjoy watching/listening vs. reading, so here you go!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Question # 22: Dealing with Summer
I was asked a question by a reader via email and I thought it so appropriate right now, so I wanted to be sure to address it as soon as possible.
---"How can I face the summer? It is the hardest season to me. T-shirts, skirts, shorts, tops... a lot of body shown. And I don't like my body. People look at the body in Summer, you can't cover it under pullovers. I have to see it. And it makes me feel bad. It gives me the need to fall again in restricting behaviours with food. Anorexia comes again, every Summer. So, what can I do to not focus on my body and to not restrict eating?"---
For a lot of women with eating disorders, summer is like the Christmas holidays. It can strike fear in their hearts, make them wildly uncomfortable, give them that awful feeling of dread. It doesn't have to be that way. We're sort of conditioned by society to think that the only thing beautiful in the summer is a thin, tan woman showing off lots of skin. It's not so.
Summer isn't about looks. And it shouldn't be about putting MORE effort into your appearance - it should be about going with the flow, being yourself, and being natural.
If you look at the summer as this scary thing waiting to make you miserable, it will. But summer can be wonderful.
Okay - so it's hot and you need to wear less clothing to keep cool. I understand that. And you're uncomfortable with it. I understand that too. But here's a small trick to keep you feeling a little better when you're wearing your shorts or your bathing suit, or your tank top: Wear one thing that makes you feel really good.
When you get dressed and you're already practically itching with angst and disgust, put on one thing that makes you feel a) brave b) cheerful 3)confident, or preferably, all of the above. Examples? A favorite summer scarf - it can feel like a light shield, keeping you just a little bit more covered so you're just a little bit more comfortable. Or a really unique necklace someone gave you that makes you feel special. Something with meaning. Something to take away from the negative way your outfit makes you feel.
You may have to put some thought into this. In fact, if you're completely at a loss, you may have to make a plan and take a shopping trip to buy some interesting mood savers... like, go on the lookout for a special belt. Something you absolutely LOVE that you can wear with all those pairs of shorts that make you want to hide away at home. Get creative. Think about what can improve your sense of self and your opinion of your attire.
Sometimes it's really just the little things that make a difference.
As for keeping yourself from turning to anorexia/bulimia/binge eating disorder/EDNOS/etc etc etc. - THAT, my friends, is up to you.
Do you really want to let a season of beauty and warmth and possibilities flatten you down, send you spinning down that spiral into depression and disorder, keep you from enjoying life?
You'll have to accept your body at some point in order to move forward... so just help yourself to accept your body. Do little things to keep yourself committed to recovery. Don't let a season have power over you.
These old videos of mine might help too:
A Smaller Size Is Not A Prize: Dealing with clothing
Learning to Accept Your Body
Getting Past Hating Your Body
Perfection & Imperfection
---"How can I face the summer? It is the hardest season to me. T-shirts, skirts, shorts, tops... a lot of body shown. And I don't like my body. People look at the body in Summer, you can't cover it under pullovers. I have to see it. And it makes me feel bad. It gives me the need to fall again in restricting behaviours with food. Anorexia comes again, every Summer. So, what can I do to not focus on my body and to not restrict eating?"---
For a lot of women with eating disorders, summer is like the Christmas holidays. It can strike fear in their hearts, make them wildly uncomfortable, give them that awful feeling of dread. It doesn't have to be that way. We're sort of conditioned by society to think that the only thing beautiful in the summer is a thin, tan woman showing off lots of skin. It's not so.
Summer isn't about looks. And it shouldn't be about putting MORE effort into your appearance - it should be about going with the flow, being yourself, and being natural.
If you look at the summer as this scary thing waiting to make you miserable, it will. But summer can be wonderful.
Okay - so it's hot and you need to wear less clothing to keep cool. I understand that. And you're uncomfortable with it. I understand that too. But here's a small trick to keep you feeling a little better when you're wearing your shorts or your bathing suit, or your tank top: Wear one thing that makes you feel really good.
When you get dressed and you're already practically itching with angst and disgust, put on one thing that makes you feel a) brave b) cheerful 3)confident, or preferably, all of the above. Examples? A favorite summer scarf - it can feel like a light shield, keeping you just a little bit more covered so you're just a little bit more comfortable. Or a really unique necklace someone gave you that makes you feel special. Something with meaning. Something to take away from the negative way your outfit makes you feel.
You may have to put some thought into this. In fact, if you're completely at a loss, you may have to make a plan and take a shopping trip to buy some interesting mood savers... like, go on the lookout for a special belt. Something you absolutely LOVE that you can wear with all those pairs of shorts that make you want to hide away at home. Get creative. Think about what can improve your sense of self and your opinion of your attire.
Sometimes it's really just the little things that make a difference.
As for keeping yourself from turning to anorexia/bulimia/binge eating disorder/EDNOS/etc etc etc. - THAT, my friends, is up to you.
Do you really want to let a season of beauty and warmth and possibilities flatten you down, send you spinning down that spiral into depression and disorder, keep you from enjoying life?
You'll have to accept your body at some point in order to move forward... so just help yourself to accept your body. Do little things to keep yourself committed to recovery. Don't let a season have power over you.
These old videos of mine might help too:
A Smaller Size Is Not A Prize: Dealing with clothing
Learning to Accept Your Body
Getting Past Hating Your Body
Perfection & Imperfection
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Anger
This week's topic is: Anger. Is it good? Is it bad? I also discuss ways to get your anger out so you don't internalize it.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Some Things I've Learned
This week's topic is about what is learned in recovery.
Specifically, I
1) share the 3 most important things I have learned in recovery
2) talk about the hardest thing I had to overcome
3) and tell the viewers one message I'd like to tell them about recovery and why it's worth it!
Specifically, I
1) share the 3 most important things I have learned in recovery
2) talk about the hardest thing I had to overcome
3) and tell the viewers one message I'd like to tell them about recovery and why it's worth it!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Suicide: What You Need To Know
Eating Disorders, Suicide, and Resources.
This is actually my video from last week.
But I went away on a little vacation with my husband, so I didn't have a chance to post it.
It's important.
The links from the YouTube "info" box are below - for several countries!
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org - USA hotline
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/ - USA help and hotline
http://psychcentral.com/helpme.htm - USA help
http://www.contactwecare.org/index.htm -USA help
http://www.papyrus-uk.org/ -UK help/hotline
http://www.samaritans.org/ - UK help/hotline
http://suicidepreventionaust.org/Home.aspx -Australia help/hotline
http://www.lifeline.org.au/ - Australia help/hotline
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/Europe/ -Many countries in Europe
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/Asia/ - Many countries in Asia
http://www.suicidepreventionhelp.com/directory/Crisis_Centers/Africa/ -Many countries in Africa
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/South_America/ - Many countries in South America
http://www.suicideinfo.ca/ - Canada help/hotline
http://suicidehotlines.com/canada.html
This is actually my video from last week.
But I went away on a little vacation with my husband, so I didn't have a chance to post it.
It's important.
The links from the YouTube "info" box are below - for several countries!
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org - USA hotline
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/ - USA help and hotline
http://psychcentral.com/helpme.htm - USA help
http://www.contactwecare.org/index.htm -USA help
http://www.papyrus-uk.org/ -UK help/hotline
http://www.samaritans.org/ - UK help/hotline
http://suicidepreventionaust.org/Home.aspx -Australia help/hotline
http://www.lifeline.org.au/ - Australia help/hotline
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/Europe/ -Many countries in Europe
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/Asia/ - Many countries in Asia
http://www.suicidepreventionhelp.com/directory/Crisis_Centers/Africa/ -Many countries in Africa
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/South_America/ - Many countries in South America
http://www.suicideinfo.ca/ - Canada help/hotline
http://suicidehotlines.com/canada.html