women of PM...i need your help

[SVFootball]

ok so heres my problem. lets say "a friend" of mine, who i really care about, is really endangering herself doing these damn beauty pagaents. shes literally starving herself, somedays not even taking in 1000 calories and training to the point of not being safe. i really dont know how to get her to change, shes so set on being perfect and thin. i really wish shed stop doing this to her body...shes TOO thin and doesnt lose weight healthy. i really dont know how to help her. ive tried a heart-to-heart talk and really tell her that shes not safe. she knows i know a lot about nutrition and everything, but whenever i give her a diet she says "too many calories" and wont follow it.

i really dont know what to do...im scared that shes gonna really hurt herself. whenever i say she isnt being safe she says "im breathing. im ok"

someone please give me some advice here as to what i should do...she has a history of eating disorders and i know she throws up alot. at this point i dont know what to do...

 

[oldfella]

BRO, you are now dealing with two things here......Peer pressure and self image. Both of these can lead a normal healthy person to self destruct. it is part of the cause of early anorexia. The I'm fat, must lose weight mentality tends to over rule the sense of sight and right. Maybe show her pics of real anorexics and tell her she is headed in this direction. It is unfortunate that the fashion industry and the beauty industry perfers their girls like rakes. Tough one here and I'm sure some of the ladies will chime in.

 

[gordo14]

Goodness............

I hope you are able to get through to her. I had a friend who it took hospitilazation to make her see the light. I'm so sick of these unattainable self images they push on society. All the girls growing up now are going to have real problems when they mature, and they are not a size-0. I have a 7 yr old girl. And i constantly reassure her everyday that she is beautiful just they way god made her. Best of luck my friend.

 

[lynx]

Wow. Sadly I think this happens quite a bit to different degrees.
I think Phoenix has given some great insight and advice.
Keep us posted.

 

[Sassy]

The best advise comes from someone who has experience it herself. Good post Phoenix.

This is so sad and tough. It sad that our society has pressured women to think that skinny/thin is beautiful. It seems like recently it's become more a problem with guys too. It's hard to watch someone do this to themselves, but there isn't much you can do to make them feel better about themselves. They have to find it on their own. Maybe there is some way to get her to a therapist. That would be the best thing.

This is just a thought: Since she is into beauty pageants maybe you can take her to a local figure competition. If she like to compete, then you could steer her into fitness competitions, and show her how these girls stay fit and look great without starving themselves to death.