Being the 1 in 5

Something's been stirring inside of me that I haven't quite had the words to put to 'paper' so to speak-but I'm going to try. I keep up with eating disorder instagram/facebook/pinterest accounts actively and one common theme is diets, and how damaging they are to talk about and do.
Here's a statistic: 1 in FIVE people struggle with a mental illness. I am that 1 in five. Specifically 30 million struggle with an eating disorder. So, when you're standing in a circle talking about the 'last 10 pounds' you want to lose, or that latest 'low carb/low fat/keto' (low FUN) diet, we as ED sufferers are desiring to run from the room. Every time someone talks about the latest diet they are on, I used to want to scream, however now I want to just hug them and tell them how accepted they are for who they are at that moment. I'm not saying no to weight loss, but I am saying that fad diets are not the way to do it, to self-punish, to deprive oneself of life.

So, here's a pro-tip for all the females (and males) out there dieting. Ok cool, do your thing, but I say in the nicest way- I truly could care less. When I don't compliment how you look, how good you're doing, or seem interested, it's not you I'm not interested in, it's your actions; it's protecting my recovery with everything in me. It's trying to communicate that you are worth far more than that new number on your pants/shirt/scale. Recovery wins for me are changing the topic, or just completely walking away from said conversations.

The diet industry is one that has infiltrated our culture telling us that quick fixes are the way, that everyone needs to 'try this!' or 'wrap that!' to find happiness. I am here to say that happiness should *NEVER* comes from the size of your body. I'm sure most everyone would agree with that too. But do you fully believe it? How do you feel when you look in the mirror? How do you feel in public when you compare yourself? What about seeing a picture someone tagged you in that you don't look your 'best' in? Do you want to untag yourself? The diet industry has come to tell us there is one way to look right and feel right and I for one am tired of it.

To my friends that were/are/will be on diets: I love you at this moment. I love you for your smile, your jokes, your fun shoes, your words of wisdom, your encouragement to my life, for being my 'people'; for a plethora of other things than your size. When I think of my best friends I think of their best attributes-not their pants size. So my dear friends, please don't take this personally, but take it as a 'how I can help my 1 in five friends' of what is helpful for us. I know I am not your only 1 in 5 friend because you know more than 5 people-so this blog is to hopefully help you become more cognizant of your words and actions and how your 'oh did you see so-and-so? They look so good!' talk can harm more than help.

I have learned over the last 3 years that I am worth far more than weighting 'X' pounds, and I wish the rest of the world could learn this fact too.

One more fun fact: 42% of 1st-3rd graders want to be skinnier-so yes these 2nd/3rd graders I am teaching, I have the privilege to positively impact them for the rest of their life potentially. I want to have the heart to love these kids unconditionally. To be able to be there for them; to live life with them. I have the honor of doing a class kids either love or dread (PE). I want to show those scared little girls that we females can have fun doing 'boy things' too! I want to show-up for these sweet kiddos and be their cheerleader every single day. I hope by the end of the year these sweet girls can pursue being strong vs. skinny. I want them to know love and be loved dearly by their Creator. I know I can't outright tell them about Jesus but I sure plan to love them like so.

Ok...I think my rant is over. I have been desiring to address this topic for quite some time now, and I guess I just got up the gumption to do so. I also want to make sure my friends know that I love and cherish your friendship even when unhelpful topics come up. I've learned to cope thank you Fairhaven, but I couldn't not share mine and all eating disorder sufferers hearts on this matter.