Princess Beatrice is perhaps one of the least fashion-forward young women in royal circuits.  (Note the butterfly-themed hat she wore to her brother’s wedding – yikes…) 

And she’s a constant club-hopper who hasn’t yet learned how to turn it on for the papparrazzi and give a “good” shot, even if it’s the wee hours of the morning.  (That’s bound to come.) 

But all this doesn’t give the press the right to nag her about her weight.

Recent photos of her romping on the beach in a skimpy bikini aroused the ire of plenty of tabloidites who ridiculed her size 10 body relentlessly.  It made me so ashamed to be living in a society where that sells newspapers… 

Although Beatrice has thus far remained rather undaunted (at least publicly) by all the focus on her weight, what do you want to guess that in the coming years she’ll succumb to some kind of disordered eating practices? 

I really feel terrible for her; some reports have said that the British press is even crueler than the American press when it comes to mocking individuals’ waistlines.  (That’s difficult for me to believe…)

Ironically, you and I both know that if Beatrice lost tons, she’d still be the target of a campaign to pigeonhole her as an anorexic or bulimic. 

I guess if you’re in the spotlight, you just can’t win.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

Trying to stay immune to Ana? Just “bea” glad you aren’t a royal…

A bunch of kids (they were quite young — perhaps 5 and 6) were asked if they would rather be fat or lose a limb (or some such nonsense.)  They predominantly chose losing a limb over having too much weight on their frames.

Now, that’s just horrible. 

First of all, who would ask kids such a question?  And secondly, why equate being “fat” with the horror of losing a limb? 

(Incidentally, I cannot find the original report — if you can, please comment and send the link.  I’m not sure I remember the specifics after all these years, though I remember the outcome was anti-”fat”.)

Anyway, I just found another question similar to that one:  Would you rather have a wife who is fat or one who is bulimic and looks good all the time? 

Most guys who answered said ”fat”.  Now, this wasn’t done scientifically, but it’s anecdotally interesting.

Personally, I’d rather have an overweight husband than one who was so obsessed with his appearance that he became impossible to live with.  I also wouldn’t want to be with a guy who never allowed himself a taste of homemade cookies or who exercised to the point of potentially harming his body.

But be honest – would you rather be anorexic (or bulimic) or clinically obese (BMI of >25)? 

Post from: Blisstree

Be honest — would you rather be anorexic or obese?

I’m curious — when did you start your relationship with Ana (or Mia)? 

Post from: Blisstree

When did Ana befriend you?

Of course, all pro-recovery sites like Breaking the Mirror talk about the dangers of thinspo.  That’s nothing new.

But could thinspiration be truly useful in some situations?  I mean, people without eating disorders tend to use “thinspiration”, too. 

For instance, a gal who wants to return to her pre-pregnancy weight may put pics of her years ”before kids” around the house as a reminder to curb her snacking tendencies. 

Or a clinically obese man may turn his refrigerator into a collage of thinspo images just to prevent him from eating another helping of spaghetti or reaching for a tub of Haagen-Daas.

These people are using “thinspiration” in what seems to be a legitimate manner.  After all, plenty of diet books encourage people to use images as guides.

Personally, I think it’s terrible.

First of all, thinspiration in any form is downright demeaning.  It’s basically saying, “You are hideous now.  If you look like this, you’ll be perfect.”  Thinspo makes everything about appearance only.

Secondly, thinspiration provides only a temporary boost.  After a while, more is needed for it to make any lasting “dent”.  (I think it can be addicting, too, but I have no scientific reports to back me up.)

Finally, using thinspo is a lot different than making an actual lifestyle change.  Being healthy isn’t about photos — it’s about how you treat yourself, inside and out.  It’s holistic, not one-dimensional.

Consequently, I think “thinspiration” in any form is disastrous in the long run.  What do you think?

Post from: Blisstree

Is “thinspiration” ever truly useful?

Not so.

You see, like any other “clique”, those with EDs have a caste system, a heirarchy of sorts.  It’s not usually discussed, but it definitely exists. 

Allow me to explain (and feel free to let me know if any of this has changed recently or if I’m missing something)…

Followers of Ana are undesputedly the “highest” on the eating disorder ladder.  These are folks who strongly adhere to anorexic principles and pro-ana tenets.  “Rexies” are those with anorexia but who could stop if they wanted to and only choose to be anorexic; they aren’t as high up on the (non-)food chain.

Next would probably be binge eaters.  (Not bulimics, but those who simply binge.)  They cannot stop with one cookie but have to eat a box — or five.  However, they do not vomit after eating nor do they regularly starve themselves afterwards, exercise to excess or use laxatives to lose weight.

At the bottom of the ED caste system come bulimics.  These pro-mia gals and guys are almost reviled by many Ana purists.  It’s kind of “cool” to be anorexic; however, to regularly worship the porcelain god after ingesting thousands of calories of food makes you “weak” because you gave into the temptation to eat.

As far as those suffering from EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified), I’m not sure.  I can never tell where these folks fall, though I do know that most anorexics who follow the path of Ana rigidly would probably find those with EDNOS to be “wannarexics” or perhaps “Rexies”.

Class dismissed.  It’s Friday.  Go play.

Post from: Blisstree

The caste system of eating disorders

On the web, there are underground programs and “schools” (loosely defined) of pro-ana and pro-mia supporters that, in essence, claim to help and support the anorexic, bulimic or EDNOS sufferer who does not want to get better.

Yes, these “thinstitutes” (my word) of ana/mia education are available.  And many of them have strict policies on who is allowed to become a “student”.  (I think they are concerned that people like myself might try to infiltrate their societies, which, I admit, is a legitimate worry from their point of view because I’ve considered doing so many times.)

Thinspiration abounds on those sites, and although they are quick to say that they are for people who already have EDs and notthose who desire to have an ED (the so-called “wannarexics), I’m dubious and concerned.

However, I have no hatred for either the “teachers” or the “students” — the sites are run by webmistresses (I’ve yet to find one operated by a man) who are in the grips of an ED and sincerely believe that it’s a-okay to simply live with an ED, embracing it rather than fighting it.

I’d be interested in hearing from any readers who have past or present experience with the pro-ana movement.  Did you “matriculate” from Ana U?

Post from: Blisstree

Is your daughter attending Ana U?

So it was with this fascinating knowledge that I began to muse — could there be a pro-ana contingent in “Second Life”?  Are there anorexics running around the virtual world, with skeletal avatars?  How about bulimics?  Or those with binge eating disorders?

If any “Second Life” inhabitants and/or aficianados want to let me know, I’m all ears! 

(Incidentally, if you’re curious to know more about this strange land, there’s a Second Life blog.)

Post from: Blisstree

Is there a pro-ana group in “Second Life”?

Take a gander at Mia’s PostSecret postcard now.

Post from: Blisstree

Mia (Ana’s sis) seen on PostSecret

That’s once upon a time, people.

Long time ago.

Way long.

She doesn’t have it now.

Of course.

See, no celeb wants to admit to HAVING an eating disorder.  Sure, they are more-than-happy to be seen as gals and guys who overcame anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS, you name it.  But a full-blown case of Ana-itis? 

No way. 

I’m waiting for a celeb to finally stand up and say, “Hey, you know what?  Last night, I ate a gallon of ice cream, a pizza, a box of licorice, a quart of milk, two packages of cookies… and then I threw up for 30 minutes.” 

But no one will.

That’s just not “cool”.

Hrumph.

Post from: Blisstree

Breaking (the Mirror) News: Ashlee Simpson Admits to ED

But is a thinspiration-free home really possible?

Though I think it would be difficult to completely rid your residence of anything that could be considered thinspiration, my guess is that with the following “tweaks”, you could make your home-sweet-home a place where you don’t feel judged:

• Remove any magazine, pamphlet, brochure, guide, et cetera that features unbelievably thin models/actors/singers from your sight.  For good measure, shred it.  You’ll feel good. 
• Turn off the television unless it’s a program you actually want to watch; otherwise, you’ll be bombarded by commercials of svelte ladies and emaciated gents.  (I know people who actually keep the boob tube on all the time — can you imagine what dribble they’re being force-fed subconsciously?)
• Have pictures of yourself when you were much, much thinner littering your bookshelves or hanging on your walls?  It might be better to remove them from view, especially if they trigger you to starve yourself or binge and purge.
• Don’t give in to the temptation to call yourself “fat” around family or friends.  Don’t call anyone else that, either.  Make your living space a zero-tolerance no-ana (instead of a pro-ana) zone. 

Any other ideas?

Post from: Blisstree

Is a thinspiration-free home possible?