NATIONAL EATING DISORDER AWARNESS WEEK

EPISODE #98

In this episode we will be chatting about:

• Shining light into the darkness – celebrating National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
• Talk about binge eating disorder, an EDNOS not often talked about
• How to help someone you love

THANK YOU:

To everyone who is actively engaged in this community, whether it is on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or by just extending the reach of this podcast show by sharing it with those you love in your life and your community.

ABOUT AWARENESS WEEK:

www.nedawareness.org

February 22^nd – 28^th, 2015

“I HAD NO IDEA”

…that my passion had become a problem

…that eating disorders don’t discriminate

…that eating disorders aren’t just a phase

…that the ‘perfect’ images I see every day are digital illusions

…that bullying can trigger disordered eating

…that my quest for health was making me sick

…that eating disorders are often overlooked or misdiagnosed

To be honest, most people could have said “I had no idea” to me about having an eating disorder. That’s the thing – most people who battle an eating disorder are masters at putting up a façade, which is why most people who are battling are battling on their own.

You don’t have to battle on your own. It’s time to break the silence.

Eating disorders – such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder – are serious, potentially life-threatening conditions that affect both a person’s emotional and physical health. In the United States alone, 30 million people will be impacted by an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Eating disorders can include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. These conditions affect all kinds of people and don’t discriminate by race, age, sex, age or size.

Body image problems, disordered eating and full-blown eating disorders are common among athletes. Though most athletes with eating disorders are female, male athletes are also at risk—especially those competing in sports such as wrestling, bodybuilding, gymnastics, and running, which tend to place an emphasis on the athlete’s diet, appearance, size, and weight requirements.

In a study of Division 1 NCAA athletes, over one-third of female athletes reported attitudes and symptoms placing them at risk for anorexia nervosa (Johnson, Powers, et al, 1999). In weight-class and aesthetic sports about 33% of males and up to 62% of females are affected by an eating disorder (Thompson, PhD. 2010). The good news is that with information and awareness, coaches, parents and teammates can all play an important role in confronting eating disorders and ensuring that athletics are a positive experience for everyone.

All too often, the drive for thinness begins early in a person’s life. For example, 46% of 9-11 year-olds are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets (Gustafson-Larson & Terry, 1992) and 35-57% of adolescent girls engage in crash dieting, fasting, self-induced vomiting, diet pills, or laxatives (Boutelle, Neumark-Sztainer, et al. 2002; Neumark-Sztainer & Hannan, 2001; Wertheim et al., 2009).

BINGE EATING:

Also known as compulsive eating disorder, binge eating can be expressed differently, but is centered around a lack of ability to control food intake. It is nearly impossible to physically identify if someone struggles with binge eating as binge eaters represent all types of bodies: those who are overweight, those who are underweight, and those in between.

My binge-eating story:

• Started in high school, Sophomore year; a cool friend told me that I could be skinner and she tried to teach me to throw up and then tried to sell me diet pills. I didn’t like either and found myself stressed, so I turned to food. To make up for the food intake I doubled or tripled my workout routine.
• Continued in college – usually 3-4x/week, always when alone.
• Ate until I sickened myself – and then the self-anger cycle restarted. I was disgusted with myself, with my secret, with my lack of control, with my body, with my lack of discipline, thought I was the only freak in the world, hated myself, hid from the world, canceled social plans and punished myself. I felt trapped and like I would never find freedom to live another way. I didn’t think I had an eating disorder, I just thought I was pathetic and disgusting.
• Then I found Geneen Roth’s book Breaking Free from Emotional Eating… I realized I wasn’t alone. I sought help.
• Help from my brother, a few trusted friends and counseling….a focused effort to reestablish my “relationship with food”…I realized that food wasn’t the problem, it was that I was using food as a drug, as a cover-up for emotional pain or anxiety I had elsewhere. I developed this relationship and had my life-changing breakthroughs while living abroad in France, which is what I wrote my first book, The Skinny, Sexy Mind: The Ultimate French Secret

HOW TO HELP:

If you or someone you care about might be suffering from an eating disorder, it is important to educate yourself and seek professional guidance as soon as possible because early intervention is key to successful recovery.

http://nedawareness.org/get-help/neda-toolkits

Toolkits for:

• Parents
• Educators
• Coaches and Athletic Trainers

Helpline: (800) 931-2237

Other ways to help:

• Be someone who speaks words of life to others.
• Ask the right questions
• Be direct
• Buy some books (mine, Geneen Roth’s)
• Understand that disordered eating patterns are as dangerous as an eating disorder
• Know that just because someone isn’t skin and bones doesn’t mean that they aren’t terribly, terribly sick … and make sure the person you love knows that too
• Offer to look into counseling and attend with the person
• Be someone of integrity that can be trusted
• Know that eating disorders never fully go away – don’t expect the person to “get better” overnight and encourage them to stay plugged into positive resources that will continue to help them monitor and grow their positive relationship with food and their body
• Encourage your loved one by assuring them there is a better way to live and that they can find freedom from whatever disordered patterns they have
• Refuse to engage in negative body talk, ever.

Another resource for those of you who want to read about someone’s inside experience in a recovery program, from Be More Community member Carissa: https://abandonperfection.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/recovery-2015-crazy-girl-camp-part-deux/

LISTENER OF THE EPISODE:

Thank you Trish! I just graduated from the program today and I really enjoyed it.

I just really want to say “thank you: for your podcast and the work that you do. I stumbled upon your podcast about a month ago while searching for something inspiring to listen to while I work out. At that time I felt stuck and a little down, but lately I have been able to turn my thinking around, much due to hearing your message over and over again. I listen to your podcasts whenever I have free time during the day and also during my workouts. I love the casual style you deliver your messages and also your optimism that comes through so clearly in your voice. Its so encouraging. I also love that you share personal stories, because while my challenges are very different from yours on the surface, they still have the same root cause of insecurity and fear. I’m so very grateful that the internet has made it possible for people like you to put your message and products out there. Its hard to imagine that just a few years ago all publishing, radio shows etc were controlled by an elite few. Now there are no gatekeepers to hold us back, and the world is so much more beautiful for it. That makes me happy and grateful. Keep up the amazing work Trish, and thank you for all you do!

Best,

Angelica

ACCOUNTABILITY COACHING:

I have six open accountability coaching spots – first come, first serve.

Accountability coaching is for

• anyone determined to make this year their best year yet and wanting assurance that they will stay on top of their game and goals, not losing focus or momentum through the year
• anyone with a goal that really matters to them who wants assurance that they will stick with their pursuit of their goal
• anyone who struggles with follow-through and wants to change that
• anyone looking to have an edge on achieving their goals or dreams and wants a coach in their corner to keep them on track and consistent
• anyone wanting fitness / workout accountability and personal training advice
• anyone who has completed the Breakout Program and is looking for their next step of personal development and growth

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Be more of who you are. Be you. Be free.

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SHOW NOTES:

IF YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED AS LISTENER OF THE EPISODE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SHARE YOUR STORY WITH ME!

• Voicemail
• Email – trish at trishblackwell.com
• Contact on my website – www.trishblackwell.com
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• Instagram – @traintrishtrain