Portrait of Two Young Women Standing on the Beach with a Volleyball

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by

Joseph

Ah, summer. This is the season when many Americans trade in their heavy jeans and parkas for bikinis and swimming trunks and hit the beach for some relaxing fun in the sun. Unfortunately, among the countless sunbathers on the beaches or outdoor swimming pools are people who put their health at serious risk just to be able to fit into a sexy summer bikini.

Eating Disorders Will Make You Gain Weight In The Long Run

The National Institutes of Mental Health defines eating disorders as a state in which "a person experiences severe disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme reduction of food intake or extreme overeating, or feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape." The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating; although the disorders are not restricted to gender, females are more likely to be diagnosed than males.

Womenshealth.gov, a website operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reports that anorexia and bulimia are often caused by cultural pressure.

It's not difficult to see the relationship between beauty and eating disorders: women are encouraged to look beautiful and thinness is the epitome of beauty. Women who take this to extremes will starve themselves in effort to become thin. A number of these women are already depressed about their body weight or body image and may skip meals or avoid certain foods altogether because they're afraid of gaining weight. The website says that many binge eaters have trouble dealing with stress; interestingly worries about body image can lead to binge eating.

These disorders can have a devastating effect on physical and mental health including:

• issues with the heart or brain
• ulcers
• hormonal imbalance
• muscular fatigue
• dehydration
• anemia
• high cholesterol
• gallbladder disease
• type 2 diabetes
• certain types of cancer
• substance abuse
• depression
• suicidal thoughts
• obsessive thoughts
• problems with physical development

Government health experts recommend that people suffering from eating disorders seek help from health care professionals, who have a variety of treatment methods.

Is There A Way To Lose Weight And Get Into Shape Without Starving?

Women don't have to starve themselves to be thin. The surest and most effective way to get into shape is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. No pill, fad diet or mystical formula can ever replace the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet (which includes protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates and water) along with aerobics and resistance training have been scientifically correlated with reduced risk for obesity. In other words, good nutrition and regular exercise are good for weight loss.

It's never too late to start. Talk with your doctor about setting up a fitness and nutrition program; make a conscious decision to become healthy and stick with it. Appreciate the small successes and build upon them.

Honestly speaking, for most guys - including myself - the most attractive women are the ones who take care of themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. 

Love God.

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Article Sources

NIMH Eating Disorders. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/index.shtml

Womenshealth.gov Anorexia nervosa fact sheet. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/anorexia-nervosa.cfm

Womenshealth.gov Bulimia nervosa fact sheet. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/bulimia-nervosa.cfm

Womenshealth.gov Binge eating disorder fact sheet. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/binge-eating-disorder.cfm

"Don't Starve Yourself Just To Get Into A Bikini This Summer" copyright 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy_(SM). All Rights Reserved.

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