How the Media Can Affect Your Body Image and What You Eat

The other day while waiting at the register in a local pharmacy I saw the cover of one of those trashy tabloids that showed a bunch of actresses and models in their bathing suits from the rear view. Most of the comments were talking about the women's cellulite as though it was the biggest sin since murder. I have to admit I couldn't stop myself from looking at the glossy pages. And for a moment, I understood how seeing these pictures could definitely make someone throw in the towel with a thought that goes something like this: "If these women who have endless access to trainers and nutritionists can't get it right, what chance do I have?" However, a little research on cellulite will reveal that it's a naturally occurring part of MOST women's bodies. If you have cellulite, you are the norm, not the exception. Why should you feel bad about something that is a normally occurring part of having a human body?

The fact is that we shouldn't feel bad, but most of us do. We contribute to one another's bad relationships with food and with our bodies in subtle and profound ways. Take a look at the list below to see how we contribute to other people's eating disorders:

1.Being the Media's Puppet

Do you let film, television, and magazines dictate how you think you should look? Do you compare yourself to actresses and models? Depending on the era, different body types have been en vogue-waifish, voluptuous, zaftig, muscular. Body types change like fashion and we neither can adapt nor should we have to. We don't have to fall prey to how the media says we should look. For example, I have worn wedge shoes for years. A couple of years ago they came into fashion and everyone assumed that I was wearing them for that reason. I wore them before and I plan on wearing them even if they become passe. You can decide what you want to look like no matter what's on the pages of your favorite magazine. How can you become more immune to the effects of the media?

2. Commenting on Other People's Weight

Something that is often done with good intention but is nevertheless damaging is commenting on people's weight. Even when the comment is complimentary, the results can still be destructive. I know many women who struggled with anorexia. In the throes of their eating disorders, many reported that they received so many compliments despite being unhealthily thin. Telling someone that they've lost or gained weight contributes to a fixation on weight and food. Share with someone how happy you are to see them or how grateful you are that they made time for you. Taking the focus away from weight helps us all in the long run. Can you stop commenting on weight changes and appearances in yourself and others?

3. Ragging on Ourselves

It's so common to hear people call themselves fat or poke fun at their bodies that we have become desensitized to it. Talking negatively about our bodies greases the slope for everyone. It contributes to a spirit of competition and comparison. I live in Los Angeles where a lot of people will say they need to lose weight if they're not the "required" ten pounds underweight. I often find myself getting angry wondering where exactly they think they should lose the weight...perhaps off their internal organs. If we can all learn to speak about our bodies with love and acceptance, then it will be so much easier to treat ourselves lovingly with good food and exercise. Stirring up all this negativity and hatred just sends us into the arms of food. Can you stop talking negatively about your body?

4. Good Food - Bad Food

Labeling foods good or bad can lead to binge eating. Every so often certain foods become off limits. When I was in college everyone avoided fats and lived on carbs. Now, carbs are evil and fat is your friend. When we avoid doing the work of knowing which foods are best for our particular bodies and instead get on the good food/bad food band wagon, we can get very confused. We can feel self-righteous when we are eating the "good foods." And we can get judgmental of others when they are eating the "bad foods." I've seen people glare at someone for saying "yes" to a piece of baguette with their bowl of soup. Food can almost become like the bad-boy lover. Everyone tells you to get away from him, but you just can't seem to resist. When you take away the taboo element of it all, everything gets easier. How can you stop yourself from labeling foods good or bad?

Many of us have done these things with good intentions. Many of us have had these things done to us and suffered because of it. And there's no question that all of these opinions and ideas are affecting how the young people in our society think about themselves. However, we can make it easier for ourselves, and others, by becoming more conscious. We often think that the answer to all of this is thinking our way into right actions. For example, I need to lose weight so that means I should eat less, and so I'll do it and that will be that. But it doesn't work that way. We actually need to act our way into right thinking. In other words, by changing simple actions (like the things listed above) you will begin to think in a different and more empowered way-in a way that helps you accept yourself and others more freely. When you do that, those images on the covers of magazines will not be nearly as compelling as who a person is and what they have to contribute. Wouldn't it be nice if cellulite was no longer considered a cover story and was instead replaced with modern day stories of courage, compassion, and creativity?

Michelle Fiordaliso, writer and psychotherapist
Clinical director of www.ShrinkYourself.com
Shrink Yourself is the Proven Online Program Designed to End Emotional Eating

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