BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Body Image Pro-Anorexia Sites versus Fat Acceptence sites?

I had an interesting conversation with someone who reads at my site about the pro-ana sites versus the fat acceptence sites....she says that these are the same things only for 2 totally different body sizes. Now I personally feel that fat acceptence sites are for that purpose, to help larger people feel comfortable in their skin. Now the pro-ana sites on the other hand teach how to starve yourself or to become thinner and thinner. The fat acceptence sites don't lists foods that have the highest fat content or most calories or give tips such as the majority of the pro-ana sites. The few that are still out there that i have seen actually give a meal plan, what are the best foods to eat that have zero calorie, fat and carbohydrate content.

Like I said in the article I posted, I truly feel sad and scared for people who are anoxeric. I wish I could hug them all and give them the encouragement they need to know that they are beautiful no matter what size they are. So to all the anorexic people who read this, know that Mama Jeanette loves you and I am here for you! :love: :kiss:

I know that sometimes my relationship with food is unhealthy. But, I'm not trying to diminish myself through starvation.

Paula,
I have struggled with food all my life and have just recently gotten myself under control. I have read the many side effects of anorexia and bulemia and I really don't understand how people can do that. I would like to find someone to interview for their experience with anorexia and bulimia just to help me and others understand how their minds work.

Hi!

I just stumbled upon this site! I am an Anorexic (I've had Anorexia for 11 years, since I was 16), and I have to admit that I go to pro-anorexia sites. I go to find out what foods are lowest in calories and to look at pictures that will "trigger" me. I know that it is sick. I haven't been doing this for a very long time. Only since my last treatment stay, which was about 7 months ago. You see, in treatment, they had me gain 90 something pounds and it freaked me out so much when I got home that I didn't know what to do. And so I turned to these sites. I've lost 25 or so pounds, and my foods are getting ever more restrictive. Since I am at a "healthy" weight right now, my parents don't seem to notice (yes, I'm 27 and live with my parents. That's the consequence of being on disability and being in hospitals for 4 years). I don't like this "healthy" weight. It's fat. I can even show you pictures if you want. For now, I go to these sites because Anorexia rules my life and all I want in the whole wide world is to look nice in the mirror again like I did when I was 70 pounds thinner <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I'm sorry <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Bjork

Bjork, don't be sorry. I have spoken to many anorexics and it is a life time struggle for most to get better. Like I suggested in the other topic, many anorexics feel like eating is the only control they have in their lives. And like I said in the article and here in the forums, the side effects are horrible of anorexia. Counceling may be a good step. I have read and heard that most anorexic recovery programs focus more on making you eat then giving you psychological counseling.

I just read about these beaded bracelets that young women and girls are wearing that represent various eating disorders (red is for anorexia while purple is for bulimia) and their "membership" in these groups. Has anyone else heard about these??

No Aimee this is the first I have heard of this one. But then again, there are so many different bracelets to represent so many things it is hard to keep track of them!

I have heard of the red beaded bracelets. I have a red bracelet. It's just not... beaded. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> They were apparently on the news recently and you can get them from this website that I checked out (not sure if you're allowed to mention site names on here). The girl who makes them has been slacking though, because no-one's heard from her and/or gotten their bracelets in a while. From what I hear, it's more of a "teenager" type thing. Just a little fad so you can feel "cool" and like you're part of a group.

Bjork

i own a pro-anorexia site... hopefully not the one with the slacking webmaster that you're talking about. i've gotten a lot of bad press and hatemail for it, but i firmly believe in keeping it running.

you say that fat-acceptance sites provide a place for larger people to go and feel accepted, loved, and welcome. pro-anorexia sites(or pro-ana, as they're usually called) do the same. my personal experience of anorexia has been a very lonely one, as my disorder pushed away friends, boyfriends, and everyone else who tried to help me. i didn't want to be helped, and in many ways, i still don't.

i feel that the term pro-anorexia is widely misused and misunderstood. i don't think that eating disoders are "cool" or "fun" or "in." more like painful and destructive and consuming. if the term pro-choice weren't already taken, i would use that; i support people in their decision to recover or not. sites like mine provide a place where people suffering with anorexia can go to feel safe and supported when the rest of the world turns against them.

the "tips and tricks" and food lists may seem triggering. but you have to ask yourself what kind of people go looking for pro-ana websites? mostly people who are already anorexic and looking for support. for those few misguided souls who want to have an eating disorder, i have messages about the dangers of EDs posted everywhere on the site--even an entire section dedicated to the dangers of commonly used diet pills, ipecac, and laxatives.

i do wear a red bracelet, and i do sell them. but i don't feel that people wear them because they think they're cool. i wear mine because i want other anorexics to know they have a friend in me; i won't judge them or force them into recovery.

I definitely appreciate all of you ladies being so open about your diseases and going to/owning anorexia sites. I have never had the disease myself but I have had several friends battle eating disorder and know its prevelence all over the country. I know that a lot of people who go to pro anorexia sites are full blown anorexics but I would imagine that there are others out there who are on the verge of anorexia and I am concerned that these "tips and tricks" might lead them down this dangerous path. But like you said, you do have information about the problems with anorexia and I think it is important to have that balance of information. Would you mind posting the link... I have never been to a pro ana site and am curious to see one for myself, instead of just reading about it in the newspaper.

my site is located at http://www.ceruleanbutterfly.com

if you would like to hear more about my stance on pro-ana sites, you can watch the interview i did with KTVU news here: http://www.ktvu.com/video/3901698/detail.html i think the interview came off a little biased toward the anti-pro-ana side, but hopefully i made at least a small point.

hmmmm.... well on one side I sooo envy those who actually have the will power and the control it must take to not eat..or to enduce vomitting after they do eat... I just can't even imagine it personally..and I know it has GOT to be one massively huge mental challenge. One that I seriously can't even relate to as I'm on the other end of the spectrum completely! I love my food! I'm weak and rarely can control myself when it comes to the delicous foods out there...*mutters*

One thing that cought my attention here though is the bracelettes...that is the coolest idea!! Does any of the diet and health groups out there have this sort of insentive deal? If not I think they should! What better way to keep the whole idea foremost in one's mind then to wear it at all times right on their wrist...

wow...I love that idea!

Eating disorders are so incredibly painful. I am a recovering bulimic, so I know what it's like. I decided to seek treatment because the bulimia wasn't "working" anymore for me. It was hard to hide all that behavior from my loved ones. Once I got into a serious relationship with the man who I will be marrying in 6 days, I realized that I couldn't isolate myself forever. Some of the best help I received was from pro-ana/pro-bulimia RECOVERY sites, where a lot of people who were still struggling could vent, share experiences, etc. I still have issues with some foods. I have what I call "safe food", which is what I know I can eat that won't make me fat. But I have managed to slim down (being bulimic doesn't make you thin, FYI) and avoid being constantly bloated and I've stopped making myself puke after eating fattening foods. I am now at a healthy weight, and I've got to force myself to tell myself I'm not too heavy at this weight. As far as Fat Acceptance sites and Pro-Ana sites, I don't think either one is particularly helpful for treating either condition. I think there should be more websites that promote healthy body image and good health, as well as healthy relationships with food.

Spectra I have to agree with you. And congratulations too!! I support the recovery sites but not sites that promote being anorexic as a form of weight control. I HIGHLY recommend the book Runaway Eating for any woman to read. It is susposed to be geaered to woman over 30 but even teenagers can benefit from it. I have a review for it in one of my articles. There is a nice excerpt from the book there and also, one of the authors checks the forums regularly. She is a dietician so if anyone has any questions for her, start a new thread with the subject Hey Nadine or something like that. She is a super nice woman! I think I will have another contest soon because I still have 2 copies of the book sitting on my shelf at home.