Entries in at-risk youth (29)
Video Encouragement : )
This video is compliments of The Body Image Project. Take a look and pass it on to your friends who might appreciate it. Not only is it one way to brighten your day, but you may brighten someone else's day by encouraging them to accept and celebrate who they are :)
Staying Skinny Beats What??
Does anyone else see this drive for thinness as a problem? Why does being thin supercede other values in life, like career and love?! And why aren't we doing more to work on changing the unhealthy notions and beliefs about our weight and bodies? Why are magazines and media outlets making irresponsible comments and perpetuating eating disorder myths (check out one response to W Magazine here)? More education and awareness needs to be happening, and fast!! You can start today by educating yourself about eating disorders- the facts and the myths- by going to NEDA's website for more information! It is important to note that the media does not cause eating disorders. The media can pose a risk to someone who is genetically determined to develop an eating disorder, but it is not one thing that typically causes them. I would encourage you to think about what else can you do today to educate yourself (and others) and then raise awareness.. I would love to hear your ideas- you can post a comment or send me an email if you have any ideas!
Scouts Honor
Update on EDC and Michelle Obama
Here is some encouraging and exciting news. If you didn't see my last post, scroll down real quick and skim it- it's pretty short. But I just wanted to follow up because Michelle Obama has listened to the concerns that people have had about her focus on childhood obesity and acknowledged that "The flip side to obesity can be eating disorders and we certainly don't want to enforce the reverse trend," she said. "The campaign 'Let's Move' is not about how our kids look. It's really about how our kids feel and our health." This is good news for all of us. Health and how we all feel is important, and I am glad that she is taking that into consideration as she moves forward with her Let's Move Campaign. She also encouraged parents not to focus on weight, or to talk about weight loss, but rather to focus on the overall picture of health. It is great to see that there has been a bit of a shift in her message. And, it also provides us with a reminder that speaking up can make a difference! To see how you can make a difference, follow this link.