In this post I will go through the reality of Body Dysmorphia. This is something I have been struggling with the last few months. I have been doing all the right things, eating clean, working out regularly, drinking all the water and getting at least 10,000 steps/day. However, now that I have lost the weight, I still look in the mirror and don't see the results I've been working so hard for.
Ok guys, let’s talk Body Dysmorphia. If you have followed me on Instagram, you know this is something that I battle almost everyday. Looking at my body in the mirror I still see the “Fat Girl” that was made fun of most of her life. I know from the size of my clothes and the number on the scale that I am no longer that girl but she is still in there.
For those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about here’s a quick google definition:
“Body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition characterized by an intense preoccupation and distress over perceived flaws or defects in one's appearance. It affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities, and can have a significant impact on their daily life and overall well-being.”
Body dysmorphia doesn’t just affect the “fat girl”, many body builders or people recovering from eating disorders suffer from this as well. Individuals with body dysmorphia often spend hours each day scrutinizing their appearance, checking and re-checking themselves in mirrors, or avoiding mirrors altogether.
One of the most challenging aspects of body dysmorphia is that the perceived flaws are often not noticeable or significant to others. We all look in the mirror, or look at photos a thousand times before we post them on social media. We want to make sure we are always looking our best for the world to see. But when you suffer from this, no matter how good you look, or how many filters you put on your pics its never enough.
This is something that I am working very hard with for myself. I have been working with my therapist on ways to change my mindset from a negative to a positive. I am working on not focusing on the loose skin that I have on my belly or my saggy boobs. Im trying to change my mindset to looking at HELL YA I have loose skin, but I fucking earned it and busted my ass to get it. It’s been a struggle but everyday I’m getting a tiny bit better.
There is no one specific cause of body dysmorphia, but it happens to more people than you think. We can only be supportive to each other and cheer each other on and if you know someone who is suffering, offer them help. Refer them to a mental health professional. There are different medications and therapies that can be used for treatment. I am not a mental health professional at all, but I do see a therapist bi-weekly and I know she helps me work through a lot of my issues.
Remember, you are not alone, and there is hope for recovery.
Love,
Liz
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