Wow -- I'm impressed. "A-Jock" wrote sound "get real" advice, and I think it might have been "Venus" who said to love your SELF! I visit this board occasionally b/c I teach aerobics -- I love to feel strong, especially through physicaly activity involving music!
I didn't read every message, but take note that this is a popular thread. Women, especially, are bombarded with diet fads and ridiculous advertising. And, guess what? That's spilling over to not only our teenagers but also our *kids*. So, save yourself before you continue on that neverending, deadening rollercoaster.
I'm in the process of recovering from emotional eating and compulsive exercising. And, yes, it's an eating disorder, and yes, at least 80% of American women have some sort of disordered eating. The whole "what diet should I be on?? South Beach? Atkins? WW???" thinking is old. It's not real. It's harmful.
Listen to your body. But, most importantly, listen to all your inner cues. Maybe you need to give yourself some more pleasures besides thinking about being "thinner." Thinner ain't gonna make ya happy! I can promise you that. Been there, done that.
Here are some books to read that have helped me. And, I'm not just sending this message to the poster of this thread but to everyone:
*ANYTHING by Geneen Roth (she's just started contributing to Prevention magazine, so if you've got one lying around, check her out! She's honest and real. And, she gives you the lowdown on dieting reality.)
*When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies by Jane Hirschmann and Carol Munter
*Father Hunger by Margo Maine
That just mentions a few. I've also been to therapy after leaving an exhausting environment of outlandish ideals of thinness at an aerobics studio during college. What I've realized that I AM ALREADY GOOD ENOUGH -- at my "ideal" weight or 20 pounds heavier. I AM ALREADY GOOD ENOUGH in my entry level job not knowing what's gonna happen next. I AM ALREADY GOOD ENOUGH to have big ideas and dreams and wishes even though I'm not sure exactly what path life will take me. I AM ALREADY GOOD ENOUGH to love the me in this moment right now.
I'll try to visit this post after people have had a chance to read through....I hope others can come to terms with body hatred. Love yourself -- take that power walk when you need to release stress or you want some fresh sunshine. Lift weights when you want to jolt your body to some warmness! Shut your eyes when your exhausted. Ask for that raise already!
Wow -- I didn't realize I was going to write so much. Check out some more of my thoughts:
http://pages.ivillage.com/brookefinnigan2001/id39.html
http://pages.ivillage.com/brookefinnigan2001/id34.html