An Unhealthy Obsession with Health
At what point in our quest for skinny, fit bodies do we cross the line from a healthy mentality, to an obsession with being in shape, and then to an eating disorder? At what point, when we are giving health tips to each other, should we pull back one step and realize that there is potential to take diet and exercise to an unhealthy degree? These are questions that I am constantly asking myself in order to keep my thoughts in check; I just wish that other people would do the same.
While reading a health-based magazine on the bus yesterday, I came to an article that was all about making your living space conducive to optimum health. It was a well-written piece, with many good tips. But it was clear that neither the writer nor the editor thought about how far they were asking readers to go.
Suggesting using the front door, instead of a side or back one that leads through the kitchen, is a great tip for avoiding extra snacking. But telling someone to wear tight clothing around the house, and hang full-length mirrors so that you are forced to constantly be aware of the actual shape of your body … this sounds like something from one of the disturbing “how to be anorexic” blogs that unfortunately exist.
It is great that people are becoming aware of nutrition, exercise, and general health, but at the rate we are going the next generations are going to be replete with eating disorders and body image issues.
So please, even if health and fitness magazine editors don’t, keep in mind that anorexia is just as unhealthy as obesity. Find the balance that works for you. Care about your weight, but don’t obsess. And please, don’t force yourself to constantly be thinking about your body size through mirrors and spandex.
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