The mission of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is to facilitate open, honest preventive communication about the attitudes, perceptions, and pressures that shape eating disorders and body image issues. An eating disorder is not a choice, it is a life-threatening illness. In light of the fact that 91% of women on college campuses have attempted to control their weight through dieting and that 1 in 3 of those dieters develop compulsive eating and/or exercising behaviors, it is crucial that those of us who have overcome the frightening, destructive grasp of an eating disorder open up and share our story of hope.

My personal fight with an eating disorder started innocently as a goal to get fit and healthy as a freshman in college. I was never overweight, but I suddenly became very self-conscious in a dorm room filled with girls who were prettier and thinner. I began joining in on the nightly runs and workouts with the other girls – not only were helping me lose weight and get in shape, but I was making new friends as well. It was very difficult for me to be in a new place with no one I knew. I had grown up in a small Christian high school where everyone knew my name, where it was easy to be popular and liked, and where I identified my worth with the achievements, awards, and titles that I held. Now, as I began to compare myself with my new friends, I suddenly felt insecure and as if I had lost my worth. With the praise that I began to receive about how great I looked, I started to believe that being skinny would be what could make me happy and feel self-worth. Read More »

I admit it, wholly and completely. I am, without a shadow of a doubt, hopelessly addicted.

Not to cigarettes or alcohol (well, okay, a little, but that’s another story) or WOW. I, like your oh-so-typical American female, love to shop. Money damn near literally burns a hole in my wallet – when I have money, anyway. Letting me loose in a mall with $100 is dangerous. I’ll hit up just about everything…save for the clothing stores.

If shopping is one of my highs, shopping for clothes is one of my lows. Nothing is more disheartening or more depressing than to realize that nothing – nothing – in the store will fit you. I won’t lie; it hurts hearing girls complain how much they hate that their pants size is in the double digits. I’d kill to have my pants size in the low to mid teens.

Since puberty tripped up my heels at the confused age of 13, I’ve been fat. Not, “Oh God, 135 pounds, I’m so fat!” fat, but actually obese. Clinically, anyway. I haven’t been under 200 pounds since I was 14. And yeah, part of it is genetics. I come from a pretty heavyset family. But a lot of it is my lifestyle and eating habits. And I’m sick of it. Read More »

I am not one of those girls that just “isn’t hungry” on a date. I am always hungry. And I love good food. Especially when it is medium rare and comes in a bun.

You already know I eat meat. And I certainly sleep with people who eat meat too. So, it’s good to know my new red meat eating habits are totally in.

I always knew salads were so passé.

If you’re one of those girls that don’t eat on a date because of “nerves,” give it up. Apparently, if you want to make a statement, order a steak. I mean even the New York Times thinks so, so it MUST be true.

According to a woman interviewed by the Times, steaks sent the message that she is “unpretentious and down to earth and unneurotic,” while burgers said she was a “cheap date and low maintenance.”

And I agree. Since I started eating red meat about 9 months ago, I’ve felt less like the fussy girl who picks off the pepperoni and more like the awesome foodie girl you’ve always wanted to date.

So put down the lettuce, ladies. Leave the salads for a lunch with the girls. If you really want to impress, order a steak. Read More »