Deep in my thoughts, I wonder if all runners have not, at one time or another, wanted to lose weight. Some will go on a run to burn calories. Others will aspire to drop the pounds on the scale to give minutes or seconds to their stopwatch. Light as a feather, slender like a Kenyan runner, slim as in commercials and social media.
I return my attention to the questionnaire in front of me. In this eating disorder awareness week # SemTA2020, I aspire to recognize the thin line between balance and control.
Lending me to the quiz game " Am i at risk "OfOR, I quickly understand that myself, as well as several people around me are at risk (low to moderate, but still). The concern given to weight and bodily appearance is omnipresent in our landscape and is embedded maliciously in our minds. Losing weight is a victory. Really?
Weight management versus eating disorders
Here are some very surprising statistics, found on the site ofBalance :
- From the age of 5, some children are dissatisfied with their bodies.
- One-third of 9-year-old girls have tried to lose weight.
- More than half of adolescents are dissatisfied with their body appearance.
- Almost one in five men are dissatisfied with their weight.
- Almost three in four women (75%!) want to lose weight, and this, regardless of their weight.
Dear reader, have you ever felt deeply dissatisfied with your physical appearance? I do. So much. Different depending on the episodes in my life, but I am clearly one of those people who have spent too much time in their life comparing themselves to unrealistic images. And I understand from reading these statistics that I am really not the only one.
Like what, there seems to be a large number of individuals for whom weight is a daily concern. And all in all, I imagine that this is a bit normal since obesity is associated with several risks of disease. Not many people, I guess, want to gain weight to become obese… right? (Okay, that's probably the case for Sumo wrestlers… but I'm digressing).
So where does the line lie between healthy weight management and the path to eating disorders? Because no one is immune. You have surely already heard of anorexia nervosa or bulimia? Food deprivation, food orgies and compensatory behaviors are eating behaviors that may seem extreme enough that we can hardly imagine being subjected to them (maybe) but do you know these two eating disorders that are very present in the sports world?
Bigorexia : The bigorexia or muscle dysmorphia is characterized by a feeling of being too thin or never muscular enough. Bigorexia is also called reverse anorexia. It is an eating disorder that particularly affects men and people in sports. It is possible that the person with bigorexia initiates strict rules regarding food intake, training (overtraining) and in some cases, taking supplements. Feelings of guilt and shame are present when the affected person fails to follow the workouts they have given themselves. Other activities, hobbies and moments of relaxation can be put aside for the benefit of training.
Orthorexia : Theorthorexia is characterized by an obsession with eat healthy. The person suffering from this disorder will put a lot of energy in choosing foods and how to best prepare them. Generally, the nutritional value of the dish will be in the foreground and the pleasure of eating in the background. People with orthorexia can also experience social isolation, due to the extent of their behaviors in their life.
Surprisingly easy to recognize each other a bit, right?
Lose weight to perform better
I dive back into my thoughts. I read an article recently which explained that by losing a certain number of pounds, you could also lose minutes on the clock. Represented with a table. For example, it seems that a loss of 4.5kg (10 lbs) could save me 2minutes08 over 10 km! It's tempting, isn't it? The problem is that losing weight sustainably takes time. There is no food, formula, product, or magic technique. You have to take the time to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Before losing weight, let's first think that all bodies are different and that there are other parameters that influence our performance:
- Is my sleep getting enough and restful?
- Does my diet consist of a variety of foods and do I eat in pleasure and in listening to my feeling of hunger and satiety?
- Is my lifestyle stressful? Are there any factors I can change?
- Do I smoke, consume too much alcohol or cannabis?
When control takes over, even the best of intentions for one's health can turn into a nightmare. Wishing yourself well has nothing to do with what you look like. Happiness is far from our #bestspics on social networks.
« Don't let social media content influence your weight. Obsessing over weight can lead to an eating disorder ».
And I believe it without a shadow of a doubt.
If you think you or someone around you needs help, there are organizations out there.
5500 Trans-Canada Highway
Pointe-Claire (Quebec)
H9R 1B6
Mtl: 514-630-0907
1-800-630-0907
info@anebquebec.com
www.anebquebec.com
MAISON THE LIGHTENED
1 866 900-1076
info@maisoneclaircie.qc.ca
www.maisonclaircie.qc.ca
Thank you Caroline for this text. Too often overlooked to achieve performance, these disorders are often overlooked when they have significant impacts and can affect anyone. Thank you for making it the subject of a post!
In the other parameters mentioned, there is also genetics…
Thank you for this text. Without knowing it, many people are probably "affected" unconsciously by these disorders, in a more or less pronounced way. It's not easy to dispel the myths surrounding healthy eating and physical activity without it becoming “obsessive”!