How bad is your self image?

First, I have to admit that I LOVE watching the show Total Divas. If you don't know what it is, basically it's a show about the women of the WWE....the Divas. I remember as a child I would sit on the floor in the living room and watch the WWE with my biological father. I loved The Hulk back then and would watch it every time it was on. Now it's a thing in my house that my husband and I watch Total Divas. Sounds silly but it's fun and episodes like the one that played this week really put things into perspective for people, including myself. Before I elaborate, watch this clip from this week's episode.

(Eva Marie is prepping for a big photo shoot with a fitness magazine and has been out of work and unable to workout due to surgery from her breast implants leaking. She was cleared to workout and prep for the photo shoot but went at it way to intense and started skipping meals and talking about how horrible she looks to her friends and husband. Eva Marie's fellow Diva and husband got together to help Eva realize just how wrong she was about her self image which is the scene in this clip.)



How do you feel after watching that clip? It really makes you think about how bad us women (men too sometimes) see ourselves. When we see some "fat" hanging over the side of our jeans we think it's so horrible and become very self conscious about it. In reality, you are probably the only person that sees it. You can't and won't ever be happy with yourself, no matter how skinny or what the number on the scale says, until you come to grips with your REAL body image. At the end of the clip Eva Marie starts to cry because she honestly did not see herself as being that second photo and struggles with insecurities just like everyone else.

Changing your self image is not an easy thing to do. I speak from experience! I once had the worst self image and struggled with anorexia due to it. That quickly stopped the second I landed in the hospital while on a church youth group trip. I was hundreds of miles from home and now in such extravagant pain that they thought my appendix had ruptured. Luckily I had amazing chaperones on the trip that cared about me and sat me down for a good talk. If I did not have those people in my life (who are still in my life to this day) I do not know how much longer it would have gone on or where I would have ended up.

I guess what I am trying to say is that what you look at yourself and see is NOT reality. I mean unless you have a wonderful self image which that is very few people! I know not all of us can afford for some artist to come in and do what they did for Eva Marie but we all have friends and family. Sit down and talk to one of them. Ask them what they see when they look at you. Ask them for pure honesty and then ask them if they see each flaw that you see. I can bet you a lot of money that I do not have they won't see it! You may say it's because they are biased but I say it's because they see your real body image and not the one you see of yourself.

I pulled some facts from The Eating Disorder Foundation's website:

• 80% of women who answered a People magazine survey responded that images of women on television and in the movies make them feel insecure.

• Two out of five women and one out five men would trade three to five years of their life to achieve their weight goals.

• In one study, three out of four women stated that they were overweight although only one out of four actually were.

• In 1970 the average age a girl started dieting was 14; by 1990 the average dropped to 8.

• A study asked children to assign attractiveness values to pictures of children with various disabilities. The participants rated the obese child less attractive than a child in a wheelchair, a child with a facial deformity and, a child with a missing limb.

• The dieting industry is the only business in the world that has a 98% failure rate.

• One half of 4th grade girls are on a diet.

• The average US woman is 5’4” and weighs 140 pounds. In contrast, the average US model is 5’11” and weighs 117 pounds.

• 51% of nine and ten-year-old girls stated they felt better about themselves when they were adhering to a diet.

• One out of three women and one out of four men are on a diet at any given time.

• Four out of five US women are dissatisfied with their appearance.

• 81% of ten-year-old girls are afraid of being fat.

• A study found that adolescent girls were more fearful of gaining weight than getting cancer, nuclear war or losing their parents.

• Some of the pictures of the models in magazines do not really exist. The pictures are computer-modified compilations of different body parts.

• A study found that 25% of Playboy centerfolds met the weight criteria for anorexia.

• Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. The mortality (death) rate for eating disorders is approximately 18% in 20-year studies, and 20% in 30-year follow up studies.

• 52% of girls begin dieting before age 14 (Johnson et al. (1984). Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 13.)

• Eating disorders cross racial, economic, and educational boundaries.

• Bulimia can cause damage to the reproductive system, kidney failure, cardiac arrest, and ulcers of the intestinal tract.

• Many people with eating disorders are addicted to exercise.

• Victims of eating disorders generally have very low self-esteem.

Here are some facts from DoSomething.org:

• "Body image" is the way that someone perceives their body and assumes that others perceive them. This image is often affected by family, friends, social pressure and the media.

• People who are unhappy with their bodies and don't seek healthy nutrition information may develop eating disorders. "Eating disorders" are unhealthy relationships with food that may include fasting, constant dieting, or binging and purging. 

• Body image is closely linked to self-esteem. Low self-esteem in adolescents can lead to eating disorders, early sexual activity, substance use and suicidal thoughts.

• Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape. Unfortunately, only 5% of women naturally possess the body type often portrayed by Americans in the media. 

• 58% of college-aged girls feel pressured to be a certain weight.

• Studies show that the more reality television a young girl watches, the more likely she is to find appearance important.

• More than 1/3 of the people who admit to “normal dieting,” will merge into pathological dieting. Roughly 1/4 of those will suffer from a partial or full-on eating disorder. 

• In a survey, more than 40% of women and about 20% of men agreed they would consider cosmetic surgery in the future. The statistics remain relatively constant across gender, age, marital status, and race. 

• Students, especially women, who consume more mainstream media, place a greater importance on sexiness and overall appearance than those who do not consume as much. 

• 95% of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.

• Only 10% of people suffering from an eating disorder will seek professional help.

Some of you might think it's hypocritical of me to talk about body image and eating disorders and diets. Well it's not! I have been there, I know what eating disorders are, how they  make you feel and how you view yourself. I am a Beachbody Coach and I promote fitness and health but doing it the RIGHT way and not going overboard with it. The programs I promote provide meal plans that ensure you receive the proper nutrition while also pairing workouts to help you reach the goal weight or body. I DO NOT promote eating disorders, working out without getting the proper nutrition or being addicted to exercise. I believe and can attest that working out for 30 minutes to an hour a day and eating right will get you the best version of you. I didn't know how to do that on my own; I needed the guidance of some of the world's top trainers like Shuan T, Autumn Calabrese, and Chalene Johnson.  I support and believe in the Beachbody mission and I know they are one of the most honest companies I have ever dealt with so of course I wanted to be a part of that company. I also know that if I am able to help one person reach their goal weight/body the healthy way then I have done what I set out to do. Anyone who thinks differently doesn't understand me. My goal has always been and will always be to HELP people. Seeing this Total Divas episode the other night really got to me and I will do whatever it takes to help anyone that is dealing with such horrible self image issues.

Lastly, I BEG you to get help if you suffer from such bad body image. Seek a local counselor in your area. If you aren't sure how to do that then email me and we can work on finding one for you. If you suffer from an eating disorder then PLEASE seek help. It seriously is hindering your health and will end up killing you. It's not the way to "fix" the issue. If you don't know where to reach out to then you can email me or you can call the ANAD Eating Disorders Helpline at 630-577.1330 They are open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Central Time. ANAD also has a special email address, anadhelp@anad.org which may be used by those who prefer email instead of phoning.

Please know you are not alone, whether you suffer from an eating disorder or not. Go back to the facts...3 out of 4 women said they were overweight but only 1 out of 4 actually were! That's 2 out of 4 women that have a bad self image! Approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies. We have the power to change that ladies (and men)! Again, I am here if you want/need to chat. You can reach me at cyoungblood1127@gmail.com or click on my FB link under the about me photo and message me over there. I have your back! :)