Help For Eating Disorders

So many people are talking more about eating disorders...and that is a good thing. Shows like Huge call attention to the problem, but we also see several celebrities in the news that have gone to the extreme and are so thin that it's unhealthy.

I've had a lot of people ask me lately how to get help for friends or family that have an eating disorder. I will elaborate more on this subject in another post very soon, but I want to make you aware of the National Eating Disorders Association. You can turn to them for help if you or a loved one is suffering, so please take a look at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org for advice and resources. Don't wait to get help...the sooner the better!

More HUGE Thoughts and Feelings

I was going to wait until tomorrow to write this post, but I've had so many more thoughts and feelings about the show since watching last night. Plus...I've heard from a lot of people over Facebook and Twitter, telling me what they like or don't like about the show.

One of the main points I would like to make is that we can really relate to these characters, whether we are currently teens or pre-teens, or we are adults who have already been through those years. They go through things that actually happen to people. People really do deal with their body and self-esteem issues in all kinds of different ways, like stuffing themselves with junk food, throwing up, starving themselves, and sizing up others. They also really are treated like criminals because of their weight, and there is no getting around that. The show has to start with all of these conflicts, and they won't all be resolved in one episode...just like we don't instantly solve our problems overnight.

This show is based on a novel and although it is a work of fiction, the author and the screenwriters have made the characters into people we really know...perhaps even ourselves. You know that old saying that truth is stranger than fiction? It definitely applies here. There is much more reality in this show than many of the so-called reality shows that are on the air now. I used to be such a Biggest Loser fan, as many of you know. I even volunteered for a group that was an unofficial fan club for Jillian Michaels. I spent a year with them, hoping I could help people get past issues like dealing with stress and sugar addiction, but we were told that we had to stop talking about stuff like that. Supposedly this was a suuport group, but all we wound up being allowed to do was promote Jillian and her products. (These were not directions from Jillian herself, I've never even spoken to her.) I also found out along the way that Biggest Loser treats its contestants like crap, not just from Kai but from others. Some of them had good experiences, but the bad far outweigh that for me. I tried to stay positive about the show and trainers for a long time, giving them the benefit of the doubt and still writing about them in a good way. Of course, I also was not allowed to say anything derrogatory in my blogs, even if I was questioning things in my own mind. I was even told who to vote for in the finale...well, actually told I'd better not even think about voting for a certain person! We were expected to do all of this without pay, and it was very time consuming. Not only did it interfere with my family activities, but I was being told by the person in charge (not Jillian) what I could and couldn't tweet. These were not even tweets about anything Jillian or BL related. I was being told that I couldn't re-tweet things from my other friends that I cover for dance shows or other people I work for...that actually pay me! Apparently my tweets about anything other than BL were annoying this person, and she had to read through them to get to what she needed. Well, duh...that's how Twitter works! And she was following less than 30 people, so she really didn't have that much to read through. She just wanted to control me, and it was the last straw. I was already realizing that so many things with BL didn't add up, and becoming disillusioned very quickly. I resigned my unpaid position with the group, because I don't believe in their version of "reality" anymore and why should I promote something I no longer believe in, especially when the person in charge was treating me like that? It's one of the best decisions I ever made. I sleep better at night, and I can promote how I really feel...that we are all beautiful no matter what size we are, and that we still need to take care of ourselves and do healthy things. If you want to lose weight, you should not do it in a way that endangers your health... and you should not wait to live your life until a said number of pounds comes off. Start living now!

Needless to say...I won't be writing about BL stuff anymore. I may lose some followers because of that, but it's OK. It's more important for me to do what is right, and some very wise friends inspire me in that way as well. I'd much rather watch a show like HUGE that actually teaches us something, than a show the claims to be reality but is nowhere near that. A fictional show that is more realistic than a supposed reality show...and trainer Shay on HUGE? I know she's made to sound a lot like certain other trainers...and I can't believe I ever thought that screaming at people and belittling them was OK to help them lose weight. Maybe my self-esteem wasn't high enough at the time to realize that it would be wrong for someone to treat me or anyone else like that. I can't wait to see what unfolds next on HUGE!

HUGE Premiere...How Do You Feel?

Welcome to Camp Victory for the season premiere of ABC family's HUGE. As I post about this show, I will be sharing moments and feelings that I relate to, and I hope you will share some of yours with me as well. We are all there or have been there...so let's help each other along the way.

As we start out meeting all of the campers, everyone is checking each other out. By this, I mean seeing who is heavier then they are, but also who is thinner. Haven't we all done that at some point? Even in the sharing circle, when Ian says they at least there was someone in his class that was bigger than him...I have to admit I did that in school. In junior high, I was mercilessly ridiculed, but I could always say that there were a couple of girls and guys that were bigger than me. It offered some comfort at the time when I was made fun of and needed something to hang on to so I wouldn't break down. I know exactly how these kids feel.

Wilhelmina, AKA Will, meets Becca, who attended this camp last year. She says she lost over 26 pounds, but put most of it back on. Once again...I have been there! I've never gone to a weight loss camp, but I have been up and down the scale. I was even thin for a stretch of a few years as an adult, but I did it the wrong way and it came back. I can truly say that I was not necessarily a healthy thin person, but I looked that way to others. Becca most likely did not learn how to keep on a healthy path at home, she just followed the rules and orders she was given at camp. So she's back again, along with several other teens that keep coming back every summer in an attempt to finally get the weight off for good. There's more to being healthy then just fo;llowing someone else's orders.

Will doesn't want to be in front of everyone in her bathing suit, but is told she must for the Before Picture. (Oh yes...everyone's favorite, the Before Picture!) Finally, she turns it into a funny striptease that has everyone laughing, except for a few who think she's crude or crazy. Afterward, Will wonders aloud why she did that. She also tells everyone that she wants to gain weight at camp. You can tell that she is trying hard to be comfortable with herself, but hasn't found the right balance yet. It drives her crazy when the overly perky counselor Poppy comes to check everyone's bags for hidden food...even sugar free gum and cough drops are forbidden. (Really??? That's carrying it a bit far! Whoever got heavy from cough drops?) They also have to hand over their phones, iPods, and video games. Somehow Will successfully hides a lot of food. The AquaNet can filled with whipped cream is genius...and I consider it a nod to Nikki Blonsky's "Hairspray" days! She winds up selling the contraband items to other campers, and someone rats her out. She thinks it was Amber, since they immediately got off on the wrong foot. Amber tapes all kinds of pictures by her bed of models from magazines, calling them her "thinsperation". Yes, I've done that too...even as an adult! Thankfully I've learned that those airbrushed pictures are not real and I'm better off just focusing on getting healthy, but I cringe when I see Amber put them up. So does Will.

Let's meet the trainers, shall we? Shay announces (actually yells) that she is their worst nightmare. Hmmm...where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, trainers who talk to adults that way on "reality" shows! I can't believe I let myself think that this was OK for such a long time. Trainers can help people without screaming at them or belittling them. That is no way to make someone of any age feel good about themselves. Shay's assistant is George, and most of the girls immediately start drooling, especially Amber. (I have to admit he's kind of cute!) She tries to get friendlier with him on the first group run, but he mishears her name and calls her Sandra. At lunch the new chef announces (well, he also yells) no seconds, and we learn that Amber has taken to chewing each bite of her food 30 times, probably in an attempt to control her food intake.

Since Will thinks Amber ratted her out about the food, she decides to get even by shrinking a pair of Amber's shorts in the dryer. Amber wears them for the obstacle course, and thinks she gained weight because her shorts are so tight. As she tries to climb the wall, George gives her a boost...and her shorts rip right then and there. She runs off humiliated as everyone laughs, and we see a smidgen of guilt come across Will's face. George runs after Amber and gives her his hoodie to tie around her waist. He decides to share an embarrassing moment of his to help her feel better, and she learns that he is deaf in one ear. He still keeps calling her Sandra...and I'm not sure yet if it's because she doesn't stand up for herself, or she figures he heard her name wrong because of the deafness and she doesn't want to make him feel bad about it.

There is also a big confrontation among the girls. It's been found out thatCaitlyn, Amber's best friend, has been throwing up...so she is sent home. Amber blames it on Will selling her food, and they all argue about what being a good friend is. (In a moment between Amber and Becca, we find out that Amber told on Caitlyn, and Becca turned Will in.) Will decides she's going to sneak out during the night and leave camp. She and Ian have bonded, and he tells her to keep the mix tape he gave her. She gets to the closest diner and orders fries and a chocolate shake. (Yep...been there too. I've felt so bad about my weight or other things that I've binged on all kinds of stuff!) The camp doctor happens to wind up there as well, and wonders why Will would rather risk her life than change it. Will says she doesn't want to change. She also won't eat in front of the doctor. Doc takes her back to camp and calls her parents, who say Will should stay with her uncle. But after she sees a log that Doc carved a message into when she attended camp as a teenager, she decides to stay. Amber and Will start to talk and get to know each other better, and of course they bond by talking about ice cream.

I love this show already...you don't know how much I wish there had been something like this when I was a teen. That was back in the 80's, but I can see we all still deal with those same universal issues. As you can see, so many things hit close to home for me, and I bet they did for you as well. I'm sure even more things will come to mind during the week as I keep thinking about the show. Please share your thoughts or issues with me, and also with the people at the HUGE page at www.abcfamily.com/huge. We are all here to help each other understand and find the balance in our lives...and to realize how wonderful we all are exclusive of size.

Remember to Watch, Read...and Live HUGE!

HUGE, the new show that premieres tonight on ABC Family, is actually based on a book of the same name by Sasha Paley. I have not read it yet, but when a show or movie is based on a novel I am always one to recommend reading the book as well as watching it on the big or small screen. If you happen upon a copy from its original printing, the cover picture will be a stack of s'mores with a big red circle around it and a line through it. The new printing has the cover you see in the photo above, featuring Nikki Blonsky chillin' in her shades and gorgeous blue swimsuit. (You know me now...I LOVE swimsuits!!!) It's cureently in hardcover, but the paperback version with be available on July 13th, which is only a couple of weeks from now.

I will be blogging about HUGE about an hour after the show...I'm also covering Dance Your Ass Off for Ballroom Dance Channel. HUGE is on at 9 and DYAO is at 10 on Oxygen, so I will write about both of them right after both shows air. I can't wait to watch HUGE. If you have a daughter or niece that deals with body image and/or self-esteem issues, please get them to watch this show. Afterward, please share your opinions with me on this post or the one I write later tonight. We can all find ways to live our lives to the fullest...live HUGE!!!

Just Keep Swimming, Swimming, Swimming

Call me unusual or unique...but I've always liked putting on a swimsuit. I've been up and down the size chart, anywhere from 8 to 18. It never mattered how much I weighed, I've always been happy with any opportunity to get in the water, whether it be a pool or the beach.

I don't know why I'm that way. I've certainly had my insecurities on other occasions, ones where I'm wearing much more clothing. Other women feel comfortable when going anywhere else, but have panic attacks when they need a swimsuit. They're not even at the beach yet...they freak out when they are alone in the dressing room trying them on. And these woman are from all walks of life and different sizes. A lot of women who are on the covers of magazine, or look like they could be, still hate bathing suits.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad that it doesn't bother me. I think about all of the times that I would have missed out on the fun if I had refused to go out in a swimsuit. Even though I haven't learned how to swim yet, I still enjoy exercising in the pool and cooling off. Swim lessons will be coming shortly, so I can enjoy myself to the fullest and get over the fear. We got pool passes for this summer, and I'm loving every minute of it. I walk around the pool proudly, without a T-shirt covering me, and without a towel or sarong wrapped around me. There are women of all shapes and sizes at the pool, and we are all there to have fun. I spotted a lady about my size today wearing the most adorable suit with cherries all over it. I had to find out where she got it. She was so happy when I told her that she looked beautiful in it, and gladly told me her suit came from Pinup Girl Clothing (www.pinupgirlclothing.com). After I got home I checked out their site, and they have really beautiful and sexy swimsuits, plus other gorgeous clothing. I didn't order the suit yet, but I hope to soon. (My husband just got a job after having been laid off for over a year...so money's still tight, but I will get that suit yet!) I know I will order other items from them too when I'm ready.

So remember, most people are way too caught up in their own insecurities to be worried about how you look in your swimsuit. They are too busy judging themselves. Pick out a rockin' suit, put in on, and flaunt what you've got. This is one awesome way to live huge...have fun in the water!!!

I'm A Size Active!

I've probably mentioned this company before, but it's definitely worth repeating. Junonia makes sportswear and activewear for women, starting at size 14 and going up to 6X. Look for them at www.junonia.com. Their clothing is very high quality and will stand up to the wear and tear of whatever sport you like to participate in. They also carry sports bras in larger sizes that actually give you the support you need. I can still remember Dolly Parton saying that if she went jogging, she'd have two black eyes...and I know exactly what she means! I've tried sports bras that offer no support whatsoever, even those that claim to give good support. With Junonia's bras, you will be comfortable and have the right amount of support.

Do not ever let your size stop you from swimming, playing tennis, or performing any activities that you enjoy. Sports are not just for slender people...they are for everyone! I know in the past it's been a problem to find the correct clothes in certain sizes, and that made it harder to participate. Since Junonia makes those garments, there is no excuse not to play those sports you love. I will also be on the lookout for other companies that offer plus size sportswear as well, and pass the information along to you. Live life NOW...don't wait!!!

HUGE Inspiration

Have you seen the commercials for this new show on ABC Family? I was intrigued the minute I saw the first one, which wasn't even on TV...I took my son to the movies to see Marmaduke and one of the many previews was an advertisement for HUGE. The day after we went to the movies, I started seeing the ads on television regularly. The more I saw it, the more I liked the idea. HUGE is set at a weight loss camp, and follows several teens and the staff as they discover who they are and how to really live life. Most of us will really be able to relate to the characters...I myself was an "overweight" teenager, and I really wish there had been a show like this when I was growing up. No matter what size any of us are, from size 0 all the way up to 20 and beyond, we all have struggled or currently struggle with our self image and self esteem issues. Even those who wear single digit sizes stress and obsess over how they look.

Speaking of sizes...did you know that the clothing and modeling industry consider anyone over a size 8 to be in the plus size category? I learned that a few years ago when I took modeling classes. Our entire class was learning how to be plus size models, and some of us wondered why there were two rather slender ladies there. That's when we found out that both of these women were size 10's, and that's considered plus size. Are you kidding me? No wonder everyone's self esteem is shot!

The show stars Nikki Blonsky, who played Tracey in the latest movie version of Hairspray. Also in the cast is Hayley Hasselhoff (yes, David's daughter!) and I got to see an interview with her last night on Access Hollywood. This girl has a great head on her shoulders, and she has a healthy self image even after hanging around the Baywatch set as a kid. Now that's a strong young lady! We even saw part of her regular workout, and her body is as strong as her mind. She knows she will never be a size 2, and she's perfectly OK with that. This is the kind of role model that young girls should look up to!

I really can't wait to see the HUGE premiere on Monday night at 9 PM. Right now I love going over to their website at http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/huge and checking everything out. They give you tips on how to take care of yourself by eating healthy and getting exercise, without stressing out about the scale. I'm really impressed by all of the resources on this site. You can also like HUGE on Facebook (I still miss "becoming a fan" LOL) and follow them on Twitter @ABCFhuge. Please check out the site and let me know what you think!