Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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really looked at my body

ann54
ann54
my sister took me shopping and I had a good look at my body and was horrified, all the loose skin and just ugliness of myself. strangely this has caused me to feel I need to restrict again, esp. before the weeked with my son and his finance at her parents and for the upcoming wedding for my niece. it is silly and wrong and I know size shouldn't matter, but I don't like the size I was in, even though I am very thin. I didn't look thin in any of the clothes but I did like them on me. how in the world can ni stop this craziness???
kathywonders
kathywonders
Remember youre going to be wearing clothes at your sons fiancs parents place - and you have a dress you feel good in. Be glad you dont live in Finland - here youre expected to have saunas stark naked with your buddies! The good thing about that, however is that you notice that nobobdy looks anything like a model. Everybody has multiple "imperfections" when the clothes are off - and in the end, it doesnt really matter:)
eshaw
eshaw
This is a hard one for me too. I live in my baggy jeans and t shirts and avoid occasions of having to dress up. Summer is especially tough. Its too hot to wear pants so I glance at my legs in my shorts every 5 minutes wishing they were smaller, which of course leads to restricting. Sauna naked?! No thank you!!!. :0) I refuse to be naked in front of anyone, which gives you a clue as to why I struggle in intimate relationships.
It sounds like you did find some clothes you like. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy your time, rather than think about your appearance. That's what really matters. Make memories.
ann54
ann54
you are both right, I need to focus on making memories and having fun. this weekend is very important, meeting davids finances family at a coo out. susan bought me really nice loose drapy pants and pretty shirt, I want to be able to be comfortable and it is hard enough for me to talk to people I don't know, I feel I have nothing of importance to say and I cant screw this up. it will be a long day, early to work so I can get out and drive 2 hours there. I could never do naked saunas, do you Kathy? you are right it doesn't matter in the end, but it still does bother me.
kathywonders
kathywonders
Yes - I go naked to women-only saunas. I have been inTurkish bath-type mixed saunas but there are always some guys there who are only interested in looking at the women so I havent done that in years.

Funny thing is its fine to go to a communal sauna - for example at the swimming pool with strangers but (being British:), I prefer not to go with people I know. However there are occasions where its expected (for example after a rowing competition) and it seems more sensible to just go than try to offer explanations why you dont want to. And in the end it really doest matter. It so much depends on what youre brought up with and Finns are generally brought up with family and communal saunas! But I understand the British/US point of view too!
ann54
ann54
isn't it interesting how we all differ yet still have the same feelings?