On Eating Disorders with Erica Romy
Hey @eribodysbeautiful! 👋 We’re chatting with Erica today who is in recovery from an eating disorder. We love Erica’s account and messaging and can very much relate to this story, plus F*CK diet culture and “wellness” products/companies.
➡️ ➡️ “You look so healthy!” I lost a lot of weight in a short period of time as a result of my eating disorder.
At the time, I received numerous complements on how “healthy” I looked.
In fact, in recovery, I didn’t fear weight gain.
👉🏼I feared the stigma surrounding weight gain.
👉🏼I feared it meant I “lost control” and was no longer taking care of myself.
✨We cannot see health.✨
^if that sentence evoked an immediate defensive reaction, you’re not alone.
The weight loss industry generates billions of dollars ($72 billion in the US alone according to a 2018 study) under the false pretence that it sells health.
👉🏼In reality, it sells weight loss, largely unsustainable, restrictive behaviour, and potentially disordered eating.
👉🏼It profits off making us feel as though we aren’t taking care of ourselves unless we’re actively trying to lose weight, unless we’re buying their product.
👉🏼It publicizes before and after pictures captioned “get healthy fast!”
In other words:
Before = larger body = unhealthy
After = smaller body = healthy
✨There are people of all sizes that are unhealthy and people of all sizes that are healthy.
When I was told I looked “healthier”, I had no energy, loathed my body, restricted my body, missed out on irreplaceable moments with loved ones, and was constantly irritable and thinking about food.
✨My before and after pictures are ‘backwards’ and I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been.✨
*I recognize I’m still in a smaller body and have thin privilege. Bodies of all sizes, much larger and smaller than my own, can be healthy and are beautiful*