What about size?

[whippedcream]

Hi all. I just wanted to thank everybody for the wonderful, sane, balanced advice we’re giving people who are struggling with their weight. I spent a year or two frequenting pro-ana and pro-mia message boards in high school (If you don’t know what that is, you’re lucky. Pro-ana and pro-mia boards are for people who choose to continue living with anorexia or bulimia rather than recovering, and they share tips on successful starving and show off pictures of themselves so they can be praised for their stick-thin-ness.) I have big issues with my weight, which objectively I know is silly since I’m 5’7 and just over 150. I can’t get some of their weird-ass advice out of my head, though. Like “don’t eat, and then sit there feeling superior as you watch people stuff food into their mouths to make their fat bodies even fatter.” When I eat, I wonder if maybe there’s some Ana someplace in the restaurant watching me and thinking those thoughts. It’s a real downer, but I’ve found more productive ways like athletics to fight the problems that arise from my passionate love affair with Ben & Jerry.
One of my friends once asked me if subbing wasn’t somehow an unhealthy expression of self-hatred. I think it’s quite the opposite. Unlike those poor girls who think the only way to be worthy is to be starving, here people seem to accept and love their bodies, without being blind to their faults. It’s a great way to be. Thanks again.

[Curtis]

I can’t get some of their weird-ass advice out of my head, though. Like “don’t eat, and then sit there feeling superior as you watch people stuff food into their mouths to make their fat bodies even fatter.” When I eat, I wonder if maybe there’s some Ana someplace in the restaurant watching me and thinking those thoughts. It’s a real downer, but ...

Okay, anorexic (anoretic?) and bulimic people have a mental illness. Why should you care what crazy people think? If a person with bipolar illness was sitting there feeling superior because "I have a plan for hijacking a bus and taking it to Key West and you don't", would that be a downer?

Exercise is a great idea, if you have the discipline for it. Even if you don't lose weight, what you have will distribute itself differently. Research has shown that being in reasonable condition is almost as healthy as being of "normal" weight. And if you get involved in a team sport, who knows who you might meet?