Community Event Featuring Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008, and Former Pro Baseball Player, Addresses Substance Abuse, Depression, Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Today's Youth | Reuters

 Inspiring and talented individuals, who have personally triumphed over adversity and helped others overcome significant life challenges, share their insight and wisdom at this special event taking place 7 – 9 p.m., on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Westside Family Church, 8500 Woodsonia Drive in Lenexa, Kansas.  Music will be provided by ordained minister, songwriter and musician Todd Warren, who is the music and spirituality coordinator of Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center.


More Information @ Community Event Featuring Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008, and Former Pro Baseball Player, Addresses Substance Abuse, Depression, Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Today's Youth | Reuters

Hungry for Hope: Sex and Skinny Conference

Beautiful Colorado Springs is hosting another of it's annual Hungry for Hope conferences.  Having attended this conference in the past, I can tell you it is a rare opportunity to gain hope and inspiration in your recovery or in your support of a loved one's recovery!  Don't miss this great event scheduled for June 21 - 24, 2012.

Hungry For Hope Conference                   (information)

Tumblr to Pinterest to Instagram -- The Self-Harm 'Thinspo' Community Is House-Hunting - Forbes

Interesting article about the migrating  pro-ana / pro-mia online community.  Kristen Haglund, former Miss America(2008) is interviewed about her personal experience with anorexia, her recovery and how she went on to create the Kirsten Haglund Foundation. Her foundation offers scholarships to individuals needing eating disorder treatment.

Tumblr to Pinterest to Instagram -- The Self-Harm 'Thinspo' Community Is House-Hunting - Forbes

Have you considered the bone loss risk in Anorexia?

The health consequences of anorexia nervosa are extensive and severe.  At Eating Disorder Hope, we  frequently receive heart wrenching emails from individuals struggling with the health problems caused by, or correlated to, their eating disorder.  That is why we strongly encourage all individuals dealing with disordered eating, and concerned loved ones, to consider the bone loss risk in practicing anorexia.  The article:  Bone Loss and Eating Disorders , by Dr. Yong Lee, is an excellent overview of the risks, causes and treatment of osteopenia and osteoperosis related to anorexia. 

Swimsuits, Pool Parties and Body Image Issues

Sadly, many women dread appearing in a bathing suit.  Instead of enjoying the joy of swimming, sun, friends, pool or beach - some women spend the entire time they are in the swimsuit obsessing about their bodies.  That is why Eating Disorder Hope applauds the recent press release of Timberline Knolls, encouraging Spring Breakers to focus on enjoying the experience of their vacation(whether on a beach or in your back yard), rather than wasting these days dieting and being overly critical of their bodies.

Designer Pregnancy: From Fab to Flab

Pregnancy is one of the happiest times in a woman’s life, except for the morning sickness, the hormonal changes, the wacky cravings, the hot flashes, our altered bodily functioning, and the labor itself... Well, maybe pregnancy isn’t as glamorous as we make it out to be. Maybe, that’s a healthy place to start: pregnancy is not as glamorous as we make it out to be.

            In America, “thin worship” dominates our thoughts and decisions, especially as women trying to measure up to an elusive standard of beauty. Sadly, this obsession with weight is now influencing women in pregnancy. In pop culture, the term “pregorexia” is used to describe individuals who have taken exercise and nutrition to excessive levels during pregnancy. Essentially, these women overdose or under dose on nutrition and exercise, focusing on weight rather than health. This has devastating consequences on both the baby and the mother. For mothers with pregorexia, early osteoporosis, physical exhaustion, and low calcium levels are among the most common effects. For the developing baby, pregorexia may cause low birth weight, mental retardation, and physical birth defects.

            There are several factors influencing the development of pregorexia. Glamorizing pregnancy is one. Real women are comparing their own experiences with pregnancy to the celebrity experience. As you can imagine, the average woman is both disappointed and frustrated when her pregnancy doesn’t reflect that of her celebrity role models. Celebrities have infinitely more resources and money to spend on their personal appearance; and where they don’t have money, they have media. Many pictures of celebrity moms “soon after giving birth” are discreetly altered to make the model appear more toned and radiant—more thin—than she is in reality. Consequently, new moms, having psyched themselves up for glamorous pregnancies, set themselves up for failure and end up feeling bad about themselves.

            Pregnancy is one of the happiest times in a women’s life. Whether you’re pregnant, or know someone who is, rejoice! Savor the experience for what it is: miraculous. Promote positive feelings and thoughts, foster a spirit of gratitude, count your blessings, especially the little one inside your own body! Most importantly, don’t play the comparison game. Don’t fall for the trap of glamour; it is both unrealistic and unfair. Just be you.

Read the full article at http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/article_pregorexia.html

Written by: Rachel Bailey
 

Enter Drawing to Win Free Book : Gotta Have It! Freedom from wanting everything right here, right now.

By Dr. Gregory L. Jantz with Ann McMurray

Dr. Jantz has written an interesting book discussing how sometimes we misinterpret our deepest needs as wants for material items.  This can lead to compulsive spending and the accumulation of "stuff" that will never fill the deep emotional needs that need to be addressed.

A great book that points out why immediate gratification of our wants is not the key to happiness... Enter Drawing