New Year’s Resolutions: A Trigger for Eating Disorders

January 1^st fosters a desire for renewal, to seek ways to develop a better physique and a new mind set. For some reason, we feel the need to put the previous year behind us and start anew. We have the opportunity to create a year filled with possibilities and the potential to achieve great things.

The top two New Year’s resolutions that people make are financially and fitness-driven. We want to be better at managing our finances. We want to achieve that new promotion. We want to seek out connections to secure our dream jobs.

Our focus on fitness stems from the fitness and fabulous looking icons that show off their amazing bodies and tell us that we can achieve this look as well. They look better than we do; they appear to have better lives and are happier because they look amazing. We want to look and feel as great as they do and we want quick results. We look past their years of dedication and healthy lifestyle they worked on to gain such results.

Gym facilities, yoga studios, and bootcamp programs thrive this time of year. The big buzz on looking better is discussed in our offices, amongst our peers, and all over social media.

For people suffering with eating disorders, the buzz of fitness and body images can be overwhelming and difficult to cope with.

And why wouldn’t it be? You have worked so hard in the previous year to lessen the importance of body image and now it’s on blast everywhere you turn. You have learned to shift your thinking from a place of unrealistic body shapes to a place of appropriate concepts of health and wellbeing (sorry if this offends any of those wanting to look like Béyonce or are pursuing the JLO butt workouts daily).  A person suffering with an eating disorder has started to transform his or her mind to understand that looks do not equate to a happy life.

It is important that during this time when our society is consumed with looking good, to stay focused on YOU and what you are personally working on. Seeking additional or increased support does not equate to failure. Getting health coaching to improve eating behaviours, emotional balance and body image attitudes is a sign of strength. Call us today to keep your focus moving forward!