National Eating Disorder Month

February is the month dedicated to increasing public awareness of eating disorders. Therefore, I am doing my best to increase awarenewess and knowledge. One way that I am doing this is by creating an "event" on facebook called "National Eating Disorder Month Invitational." It is my hope to bring together people's stories of recovery, hope and strength. I want to inspire others to attain abstinence. Eating disorders are a matter of life or death. We definitely need to work together as a society to protect future generations through education and prevention. This is an area that I am extremely passionate about. After nearly 30 years of my own battles, I cannot begin to describe the peace I have found in being abstinent. I am grateful to all of those who have and continue to provide support, love, and understanding. Together, we can conquer our demons.

Indiana Senator Wants Mandatory School Weigh Ins

Senator Gard is rallying to make weigh ins in school mandatory in an attempt to curb obesity in our children.  I can't even begin to explain my outrage. As you are well aware, I have been battling eating disorders of all varieties for about 38 years.  Currently, there are approximately 8 million confirmed cases of bulimia and anorexia.  There have even been cases of anorexia being diagnosed in children as young as 7 years of age.  Obesity is another condition caused by eating disorders.  We should NOT be focusing on the number on the scale.  Instead, we should be teaching our children about the adverse effects of eating disorders, positive effects of proper nutrition and exercise, and how to have love and respect for themselves.  There are many psychosocial issues underlying eating disorders.  To begin with, food is one of the basic human needs.  When we are babies, we are usually held when we "eat" from our bottle.  In this way, we receive love and validation.  Unfortunately, some of us begin to associate that love and validation with food.  That is in the most simpest terms why compulsive overeaters eat.  Those of us with eating disorders are searching for something that somehow, our minds believe food will give us.  Restricting food, such as anorexia, is an attempt to control something.  It all goes back to emotions.  Perhaps, we, as a society, should be teaching our children that it is okay to feel things and express our feelings in an appropriate manner.  "Boys don't cry," "Crying makes you weak," "Don't feel that way"...these phrases are frequently heard and just as harmful as anything else.  Everyone needs balance.  This includes physical (food and exercise), emotional, and spiritual (not to be confused with religion.)  One thing that I have learned on my journey is that the scale is JUST A NUMBER.  We are unique individuals.  Our body shapes are not cloned.  What number is specific for one may not be healthy for another.  Even if the weigh ins are done in private, there will be ridicule.  We are so concerned with bullying in our schools.  For as long as I can remember, "being fat" has always been a target.  Do we need to add fuel to that fire?  Do we truly want to perpetuate the cycles of eating disorders?  I don't.  I want to educate the world.  Food is an addiction.  One that we are forced to consume 3 to 6 times a day.  We cannot live without it.  That would be like making an alcoholic take one drink a day, but allowing him no more.  The tempation is beyond imagination.  We need to provide others with the tools necessary to confront these addictions in a loving and supportive way.  Yes, it needs to begin at home.  I am asking that everyone join me in spreading the word.  I plan to take every road I can find to ensure that my children are not weighed in school.  I have educated them.  I take them to their doctor's appointments.  We talk.  Thankfully, my children are healthy, "normal" children.  No, they are not perfect.  Who is?  My husband often says that there was only one person who was perfect and he died on the cross---is that what you want to happen to you?  We need not be perfect.  We are human.  Our imperfections make us who we are.  We are beautiful, loving, wonderful, unique individuals that simply need to be nurtured. 

Thank you for listening,
Angi  

'tis the season

This is the season for giving whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or life in general. In that spirit, I chose to invite some mutual friends to adopt a friend's family for Christmas. This friend has had a stretch of bad luck and is currently living in a hotel with his wife and 4 children because they had a house fire.So, I messaged these friends on facebook (yeah, I do facebook, too.) Out of about 50 messages sent, I received 3 responses and 1 of those bailed out. I am so thankful for the 2 that followed through with providing them for Christmas. So, I hit the stores, today, to grant their wishes for things like pillows and clothes. During my shopping, I realized that I did not have a list for the friend, himself. I sent him a text asking what he wanted. He replied, "truly, what you are doing for my family is the best present I could get." WOW!! What an amazing gift I received. It truly is better to give than to receive. I hope that you can enjoy the same feeling this year and in years to come. Throw the commercialism out the window and discover the true meaning of the season. I am so glad that St. Nicholas (the patron saint, not the dude in the red suit) started this tradition. So, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or whatever it is that you celebrate. Be good to yourself and others and you will find yourself filled with the joy of the season.

Love and peace,
Angi