How to Replace Negative Self-Talk With Uplifting Affirmations

Although the weather is not quite warm enough for sun bathing, bathing suit season is just around the corner. For many women and men, this is a time to begin obsessing about their weight and what their bodies look like. Let's face it, pummeled by media images depicting perfect looking models with six-pack abs and slender, well-toned legs, who wouldn't feel a bit insecure about themselves?

Of course, these photos have been drastically altered and any so-called ‘flaws’ are deleted. Several years ago, I recall super model Cindy Crawford saying publicly that it took the talents of a cohort of beauty and make up professionals several hours of grooming for her to 'look' the way she appeared in magazine centerfolds and advertisements.

When I was a teenager, I was completely preoccupied by my body image. I regularly went on starvation diets and used laxatives to control the compulsive overeating binges that usually followed a fast. I developed an eating disorder and became bulimic. For the past 14 years, though, I have found recovery by eating three meals a day, with no snacks in between, and attending a 12-step support group.

This year some students at Trumbull High School decided to tackle this issue head-on by starting a pilot club, called H.I.P.S, which stands for “Health, Image, Power, Success.” According to its brochure, their mission “is to raise awareness of the growing epidemic of eating disorders that is rapidly spreading throughout the nation. H.I.P.S. Give teenagers the opportunity to voice their concerns about society's impact on young girls' body image and brainstorm ways to help prevent these illnesses for future generations.”

On Wednesday, April 27 at 2:30 p.m. H.I.P.S is sponsoring a workshop called “Our Body Image Day” at THS. Featured speakers are Laurie Ann Scher, a nutritionist; Sara Thies, a therapist, and Nicole Roberge, author of a memoir, “Hang in There, Wherever ‘There’Is.”

Everyone is invited to attend, said H.I.P.S founders Bonnie Deal and Rebecca Kaiserman. Although the club was initiated at a pilot program last fall, the two THS juniors hope that it will be approved as a bona fide club and that they could continue to raise awareness about this important issue. Some of this year’s successful programs included hosting a “Fat Talk Free Week,” where students were encouraged to refrain from speaking negatively about their bodies. They also participated in a fundraising walk sponsored by the National Eating Disorders Association.

I wish a club like this was around when I was a teenager. Knowing that there were other people out there—both female and male—who worried about these issues and never felt that their bodies were “good enough” would have helped me. Without a doubt, this is a complex issues and often time’s professional assistance is needed. However, no matter how old you are, it’s always comforting to know that you are never alone.

Anyone interested in learning more about H.I.P.S, my recovery program or eating disorders, in general, should feel free to email me at kdydzuhn@gmail.com. All inquiries will remain confidential.