Eating Disorder ProAna Blogger Focused on Body Image and Self Esteem

This is an image from a Tokyo Fashion Magazine.

Fact or Fiction?

Photoshopped or Real?

Does it really even matter either way?

The fact is it is in print, and therefore it is real. The image exists, and the message is clear, isn’t it girls.

2008 is off to a great frickin’ start.

-mamaV

Taken from: Numéro Tokyo Magazine (February 2008 issue)
Photo: René Habermacher and Jannis Tsipoulanis

Commenter Anne dared me to post about this story so I couldn’t resist. Although I am not sure why this required such a dare, because this story is old news

NEWS FLASH: Stop blaming models, stars, media – blame your genes.

Here’s a brief on what The Times Online article has to say:

Anorexia may be caused by inherited differences in the way a sufferer’s brain operates, leading to obsessive behaviour, according to research. Rather than being triggered by images of super-thin models and celebrities, the eating disorder could be brought on by the in-built way in which the brain responds to pleasure and reward. It has been argued that images of unhealthily thin stars in the media have encouraged anorexic behaviour in impressionable young women. But a study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that the brains of anorexia sufferers behave differently to those of the rest of the population and that certain people are born with a susceptibility to develop the condition.

Snore….huh? I’m up here’s a brief on my perspective;

Genes can play a role in anorexia, agreed. I wholeheartedly support any and all efforts to provide these anorexia sufferers with treatment for their disease. This blog is not aimed at that audience. I write to a whole other segment of the population. The young girls and women that tune into “Nip and Tuck” and can’t wait for ANTM (if you don’t know what that stands for, good, you are on the right track).

One can not ignore the overwhelming evidence of cultural and societal influence, a few of the best reports on the other side of this story can be read here;

Dove Global Study: print this thing out and read it. It’s sad as hell. For the record, I am beautiful and not afraid to admit it or say it or be it or think it (psst…Dove is owned by Evil Unilever. My vote? Who cares).

More common than Alzheimer’s:yet insurance stinks. 5-10 Million affected by eating disorders in the US alone. Research funding totals a whopping $1.20 per sufferer (we all need another Gucci bag after all).

You’ve got to live in the US of A to get it, but we are a country obsessed. Forget Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll, we Binge, Purge & Lipo 24/7 in this country. There is no way in hell we are going to spend money to actually figure out why we are all eating disordered – it’s a lifestyle babe.

Been there, done that: Fashion Designers control the sizes. The chic sizes are currently 0, and 00. I am waiting for the negative sizes to make their debut (ie. -3, now that would be rad).

1980′s SuperModels

1990 SuperModel…better known now as ”lard ass.”

2000 SuperModel…way the hell too fat for runway now.

2006 SuperModel…rexy figure maintained by coke on the rocks.

2006-2007 SuperModels….dead.

Yep, all in the genes.

-mamaV

Size 0 is now available in pill form! Just pop one, I mean four, of these little beauties a day and you too can look like a zombie runway model.

This simply fabulous breakthrough secret is contained in a dainty little black box, with the answer to happiness  plastered front and center just in case you forgot that anything above a size zero is, well, eeewwww.

Brought to you by your friendly mall vitamin store GNC, the leaders in converting lard asses nationwide, into “Hot, Radiant, Alluring, Elegant & Beautiful” creatures.

Just a few silly warnings, pay no mind:

Not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18 (but what about my 10 year old daughter who is dieting with me?)

Consult with a physician prior to, during and after use (I’ll get right on that)

If you are taking any prescription medication or have any medical condition (wait, that eliminates 99% of the population) 

If you have been treated for or diagnosed with, or have a family history of, any medical condition including, but not limited to:high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, peptic and gastric ulcers, cardiac arrhythmia, renal disease, hyperthyroidism, spasms, glaucoma, psychiatric disease, psychological conditions, anxiety, depression, nervousness, seizure disorder, stroke, angina, diabetes, asthma, suffer from migraines, are allergic to tyramine or chocolate or sensitive to the effects of caffeine (that eliminates the other 1% of us)

Do not take in conjunction with any supplement or over-the-counter drug containing ephedrine alkaloids, caffeine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine or any stimulants. One serving of this product contains approximately as much caffeine as two cups of coffee (catch a buzz off the stuff simultaneously, I like it).

Do not use if you have a history of drug use. Do not use with alcohol (I’m out)

Do not use during high intensity activities in high temperature conditions (exercise not allowed.)

Discontinue use and consult a physician immediately if you experience any of the following: nervousness, sleeplessness, dizziness, cardiac irregularities or rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, tremors, nausea, chest pain, tingling sensations, behavioral changes, loss of consciousness, or other similar symptoms (any one still alive?)

NOTE: The product name Size 0 does not depict the amount of weight loss or clothing size goals that will be achieved with use of this product. Individual results will vary depending of body type and fitness goals.

Manufactured Exclusively for Size 0 Labs
3133 Fortune Way Suite #4 (nice address)

Well, since this one won’t do the trick for me, I’ll pop some “clen.”

Never heard of it? Get with the program man, they’ve been vaccinating horses with it for years.

We are one desperate bunch ladies, and I don’t see any light at the end of this tunnel.

mamaV

Pro anorexia sites are running rampant. We must shut them down quickly and swiftly to save society!

Microsoft steps in and shuts down pro anorexia sites, without a court order. YouTube and Facebook are under the microscope too.

What genius is still beating on this dead drum? 

Don’t tell anyone…but it takes about 5 minutes to set up a new site…hehe…the pro ana’s have their sites back up and running before you can blink. 

Even more scary is there is no logic to this madness.  I overuse this phrase, but I like it; nothing like sticking your head in the sand. And since everyone got really fired up the last time I posted this picture, let’s post it again just for shits and giggles. 

A few stats, which are growing as I type this: 

Google “pro ana” to view over 5 million results

YouTube “thinspiration” hauls in well over 5000 full length videos, a total of 8 uploaded TODAY.

ProAnaThinspo is just an unbelieveable mashup of thin bodies, body parts, stars and real girls that will blow your mind.

How about we face reality think about what the hell we have created here.

On second thought, that sounds like a lot of time and energy. Let’s stick with ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ it’s a lot more convenient, plus I have a lot of shit to buy before Christmas.

-mamaV

Since Pro Ana Privacy is the most visited post these days, I figured it was time for another go around. Especially since I can really feel the love in the comments.

For what it’s worth; I heard a story on the radio that I wanted to share.

A talented young woman recently applied for a job just after she graduated from college. A dream job really, everything she ever wanted. Mom and Dad were so proud.

Little did she know that some pictures that she uploaded to the web many years prior would come back to haunt her.

One in a bikini.
Several in her underwear.

One doing a frickin’ back-bend in her undies.

Not good. No job. Worst of all? No way to remove them – ever.

This thing is permanent girls. It’s called the world wide web and once you CHOOSE to serve yourself up for the taking, you are gone, your privacy is gone, and your future opportunities are at stake.

Think about it next time you want to ask one of your dear ana friends “Do I look fat?”

-mamaV

Hila weighed 60 pounds. My 7 1/2 year old daughter weighs 50.

A fashion model stricken with an all too familiar disease of anorexia. But this time, a friend was at her side. Adi Barkan documented Hila’s struggle, and sent shock waves out to the fashion world, by showing the reality of this situation in one still photograph.

Fashion photographer Adi Barkan is shown cradling Hila Elmalich in a still from a video shot when the model fell ill. (Gil Sadan/Tamar Golan Film)

There’s not much more to say here. Either the fashion industry is going to step up to the plate and make changes, or they are going to continue on their merry way in this deadly game they are playing.

You know what I thought when I saw this photograph?

How, for the love of god, can one be a part of an industry so full of themselves? How do you sit in an audience and stare up at these young women who are clearly not well, and focus on the clothing? Why do clothes, and prestige, and beauty mean this much in our society?

Bless Mr. Barkan’s heart for leading the effort in Israel to change fashion standards for the past three years. Your friend will not die in vain, she will be with you as you carry on in her name.

-mamaV

Hugo Boss is a great bad example of current fashion designers utilizing men that are waaayyyy to thin. Thin enough to be anorexic? Maybe.

I’ve shy-ed away to delving into the men’s side of eating disorders, because I didn’t feel like I knew much about their side of the story, but when you get right down to it we are all the same, aren’t we?

Men have reached out to me in the past asking me to address pro anorexia from their point of view, but it was not until I cracked open Vanity Fair at the gym earlier this week that the reality sunk in. I discovered male models really have morphed into the same way-t0-skinny-to-be-healthy female model counterparts.

 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgRy-BOerHk]

The other aspect of this style that I don’t get is femininity, I suppose this is what is coined ‘metro-sexual.’ I don’t buy it and it makes me ill to this we’ve got men now going down this sickly lifestyle path.

Who’s next on the anorexia super highway?

Children.

-mamaV

 We’ve created quite a little research pool here. The way this community picks apart topics, and analyzes issues is truly commendable. I don’t know about you, but I am still smiling about it, and I am passionate about heading into Year 2 as mamaV.  

I look forward to seeing who is saying what, who is pissed at me today, and what you all believe to be life’s truths. Why? Because it challenges our minds, our thoughts, and opinions. Between you and I, I am one of the most wishy washy people you’d ever meet (stop laughing panda07).

Give me a great debate on a topic and I am most easily swayed. In my personal and business life, I give people WAY too many chances, and I am optimistic to a fault. This personality trait has gotten me burned time and time again, but I keep doing it. I am just wired this way.

BUT, there are a few topics in life I am stone cold set on. It is this side of mamaV you see here and these topics drive the passion behind this blog. 

In the past year, one topic that continually gets debated with great passion is;

WHAT THE HELL IS PRO ANA ANYWAY?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lJmuOPzqcs]

To tell you the truth, sometimes the discussions get my head spinning so much, I really couldn’t tell you. But at the end of the day I always come back to this;

If you are looking for support, don’t lean on others with your same problem.

Trust me, this path is bad news.

I just don’t buy it, and no amount of tongue lashing has torn me away from this opinion. Why girls, for the love of God, would you think that when you have an eating disorder, the direction to head for support is to a bunch of eating disordered women?

You’ll sink deeper.

Faster.

Guaranteed.

Kristi4 is an example of this and her journal serves a very important purpose. Her life message is plain and simple – don’t turn to pro ana forums for support, instead run, as fast as you can, in the other direction. I have refused to edit what I have written about her, much to Josie’s dismay, because I know in my heart I have written this out of kindness, not hatred.

I’ve read Kristi’s journal too many times to count, and I am always left with the same impression. Here was a young woman (she was young, only in her 30′s) trying to lead a pro ana “support” community. Although she was surrounded by others in her same situation, she felt alone, depressed and ultimately suicidal. I can’t help but think if she would have turned outside for help that she may still be here today.

This topic gets to the core of why I do this blog, to create forum for discussion, inspiration, and thoughts beyond your eating disorders. There is a whole life out there waiting for you and I am fighting like hell to help you find it.

So if you find yourself part of the pro ana “support” community, I’d like to know this…..as Dr. Phil would say “How’s it workin’ for ya?”

-mamaV

A child is one of life’s most precious gifts. As a mother of two, I simply can not understand or accept how a mother could possibly decide to live the “anorexic lifestyle” or be “pro ana.”

Does it get anymore vain and selfish than this?

Live Journal has quite a growing bunch of mothers who share their pro anorexic lifestyle stories, right out there for the world to see, as if this is something to be proud of. 

318 members

302 watchers

They carry on as if this is a game, all the while their children suffering in the background, as seen in this lovely post;

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME
I CANT HOLD FOOD IN MY STOMACH ANYMORE EVEN THE KIDS R ASKING QUESTION
MOM U R ALWAYS BARFING

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO YOUR KIDS IN A SITUATION LIKE MINE
I HATE MYSELF
I THOUGH I WAS FOOLING EVERYONE I GUESS NOT

Kids are keen. They are intuitive. They do not miss a beat, even at just a few years of age they sense what is going on in the household.

When you are able to give birth to a child, and that child is happy and healthy, I don’t think there is much more one can ask for in life. From that day forward, our job as mothers is to protect that child. Provide them with a secure, balanced, positive enviroment  to grow and to thrive, and to become the person they desire to be.

There is no way in hell a mother can be pro ana, and be a healthy positive influence on her child. It’s impossible. These women who are are CHOOSING this selfish, dangerous, vain lifestyle shouldn’t be parents. I believe if a social worker were to see their online behavior, their parental ability would be in jeopardy.

For the past year, I have read countless stories from courageous young women who post here with their horror stories about their own mothers. They tell how their mothers influenced their own beauty and body image, they express details on their recollection of a childhood filled with negativity towards food, and their mothers constantly warning them not to eat for they too would fall victim to the dreaded fat. They reveal hurt feelings about their mother’s who were more concerned about themselves, than for them or their other siblings.

If your mother is one of these individuals, you need to know this, and believe this. Make it your mantra.

It is not your fault. It is not about you. Your mother was a selfish person before you were born, and she will continue to be this selfish person as you grow and recover from your eating disorder.

Let her be your great bad example. Let her be the person you think of when you think of what you never want to be.

And when the glorious, life changing day comes, when you are given the gift of a child you will understand the depth of love a real mother should have and want nothing more then for your child to live a happy, healthy life providing them with nothing but unconditional love.

Please feel free to share your personal story of your mother. Was she a positive influence on your beauty and body image? Or did she contribute to you low self esteem and/or eating disorder?

Let these pro ana Mom’s know what they are doing to their kids, maybe a few of them will head our advice and get their head screwed on straight.

-mamaV

Mother daughter image credit: Julie Harris

Time for Halloween ladies! Be the life of the party at your neighborhood get together when you arrive in this fun, new costume inspired by the millions suffering with eating disorders! 

Introducing “Anna Rexia!”

Skeleton Costume includes Knit Dress with Glitter Screenprint, Headband, Choker Neckband, Removable “Anna Rexia” Badge and Ribbon Tie Belt, all yours for just $42.95!

 Are you frickin’ kidding me? Our demented society continually gets off on making fun of eating disorders, and there are all too many pathetic, vain women out there just waiting to peel this thing on for Halloween desparate to be “rexy” for their male admirers.

If this is your costume for choice this Halloween, get the hell out of my way, because if I catch you strutting your stuff in this you’ll be flattened in 10 seconds or less.

-mamaV

Thanks to tipster Liz who discovered this story here Complex.com 

Finally, a non-thinspo song.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=y7WftHIC2Aw]

I’ll say it in a sentence: Anyone who glamorizes anorexia, or any eating disorder for that matter, I will chew to shreds.

Whether it be a be a drug-addicted model, or a wannarexic posting on a lame pro anoreaxia blog – it’s no holds barred.  I am on a mission here, and I make not apologies if I offend.

You girls proved my sad point for me through your comments on my first post on Kate Moss, and my anger on her ignorantly calling herself “rexy.”

Not only are you unable to see your own natural beauty, you are unable to see Kate Moss’ ugliness because desirable thin frame is in your face.

“I would die for her bony legs,” says Kristin.

“This post makes me sad, I love Kate Moss,” says Danielle.

Do you know who’s legs I want? MINE. Yes, my 38 year old mom legs with a little cellulite here and there, along with few a “honorable” bruises from wrestling with my 4 year old boy Sid.

I want to get you to a place that you want nothing more than your self.

What is there to LOVE about Kate Moss? Let’s back up. Once there was a young beauty named Kate, who had the world by the ass. She was admired by millions and had an overflowing bank account, of which she has likely pissed away on heroin and cocaine. All the while, her little daughter Lily stands in the background, watching her mother chase her drugs and druggy boyfriend.

As her mother makes a fool of herself on a daily basis, the world continues to flock around her. Mom is busted snorting a line, no matter, she will still smile for our cameras because we are determined to not let her go. Her face is admired and desired throughout the world because she is oh-so-rexy.

Drug problem? Kate’s problem- and her daughters. Not yours, not mine. Do I hope she is able to beat it? Of course. Kate is a lost soul.

But she is a lucky one, she has more resources available for help then any one of us could ever hope for, so hopefully she will come to a place within herself that she is able to get cleaned up.

Why did not one of you mention her daughter Lily? She celebrated her 3rd birthday by herself while her mom sits in rehab only to run back to this clown. Do you realize what that does to a kid?

As a mom, I know this much. Your children need you, each and every day. Actually, every second. You need to be aware, alert, and ready to serve their needs. If you do not put yourself aside those first few precious years, and provide them with unconditional love……well, I don’t need to tell you what can be the result.

I once chased a druggy boy too. It took me about 6 years to rid myself of him, only after I sat around smoking joints and doing way too many bongs with him, not to mention worrying my parents to death. At 17, I remember coming home from drug happy Paris, to my little midwestern hometown only to find all my high-school friends snorting lines on a mirror. I was pissed off that they didn’t have enough sense to walk away. I made a choice not to take it further. We make choices. Kate has made hers. Now she has a big hole to dig her self out of.

But all of this is really irrelevant to me because she can do whatever the hell she wants to…just don’t promote anorexia, or I am going to hammer you to my hearts content. Because day in and day out I am concerned with girls who are stuck. Stuck in their fear of fat.

-mamaV

Genius Moss describes her drug induced body image as “rexy.”

Rexy is the new ”anorexic and sexy.”

I believe Mossy came up with this brainstorm while snorting line #4, tuned into Comfortably Numb.

Upper thigh bruises…not so rexy.

Can we finally bid this chick farewell? She has been lingering around since my old modeling days back in the ’90s. She has missed the window of opportunity to go out on a high note, so let’s hope she goes out on an alive note.

Kate, you are trashy. Young girls cling to you for your REXY look, only god knows why. Do us all a favor and shut it down already.

Reality check:

SEXY

REXY

Case closed.

-mamaV

 We have a semantics problem.

What does pro-anorexia even mean anymore? Who is responsible for starting this confusing term Pro-Anorexia? If anyone knows, please fill me in. 

I’d like to try to define the Pro-Anorexia Community for those who are looking to understand it, basically we have two very distinct groups: 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkld2HMk4UA]

ProAna Type 1 means you have an eating disorder, a mental disease, likley with a genetic component. The primary reason these individuals visit proana web sites is for support from other individuals with the same issues. They may or not be seeking recovery options. This is anorexia as we have traditionally known it, a cruel, disfiguring, mental disease.

ProAna Type 2 means you want to have an eating disorder and you are deliberately starving yourself for the body you aspire to. These individuals visit proana web sites for support from other “wannarexics”. Thinspiration images of models and hollywood stars are needed to keep their starvation motivation going, and when the individual breaks down and eats, they punish themselves incessantly due to their failure to restrict their diet.

These two types of proanas can be best be understood by watching the following videos, created by members of the groups themselves.

PARENTS: PLEASE STAY WITH ME HERE, THESE VIDEOS ARE HARD TO WATCH BUT PLEASE TAKE THE TIME AND ENERGY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

Type 1: Real Anorexia, every mother’s nightmare.

Here is the ProAnorexic point of view from the perspective of someone who is suffering to death from this mental illness. These individuals do not have control over their restricting behaviors, and there is likely genetic component to their disease. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsqAOSjGzc0]

Type 2 : “Wannarexia” or Social Anorexia.

This video depicts the point of view of an individual who wants to be anorexic because they desire the body type of an anorexic. They desire protruding bones because they see this look as the ultimate in beauty. They are willing to accept the consequences of starvation to achieve their desired body image. These individuals have control over their actions, at least when they start down this path, and are choosing to restrict their food intake.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE9D3ZFCjSI]

Either way, it ain’t pretty is it?

So, why do I care? How can I not. Wannarexics are the group I am honing in on. The fashion industry is pushing the right buttons with our girls, Wannarexics are gaining strength in numbers.

Won’t you join me?

mamaV

Big debate brewing over at LiveJournal (LJ) because the leaders of the community suspended 2 members and posted their Terms of Service (TOS) as a reminder to their members to follow the rules of the road.

You can read the TOS here, basically LJ is restating the law and reiterating the types of judgement calls they need to make when they delete posts or suspend a member for breaking the law as it pertains to online communication.

Here’s the main issues as far as I can tell:

1) ProAnas are threatened their boards will once again be shut down or be censored. LJ staff is doing the censoring, so the content that may be deleted is subject to their interpretation.  

I am 100% freedom of speech, regardless of harm in their words to their community, I believe the members should be allowed to express themselves, their tips, and tricks regardless of how sick to my stomach it makes me. If they think it, let it be out there for all to see, we can’t hide from reality.

If you do not agree, and you believe the proanorexia sites should be shut down, here is a petition you may join to do so.

2) The proanas that post the worst of the worst content on how to starve, tend to be highly arrogant, and this is hard to accept at times. 

As you read their journals its hard not to fear for their safety and the safety of the girls reading their posts…but bottomline for me is they are allowed to believe in the lifestyle they choose.

3) In my view, LiveJournal is attempting to limit their liability in the event the next person takes their own life via starvation or desparation. They are attempting to say “We do not support these starvation techniques, we are community to help you OUT of anorexia.”

The community may have started as a support forum, but as we all know too well, it has evolved into a death forum.  Let’s see how many death forums are out there; in my 5 minutes of intense googling this morning I stumbled upon:

271 “Pro Ana” Communities on LJ (couldn’t help but notice we now have ‘ana moms’ jumping onboard).

Wondering what the YouTuber’s are up to? Over 3300 videos out there for your viewing enjoyment.

Sure there are certain communities within LJ that are about support, such as those lead by King Josie;

For those seeking support under 16 years of age, go here

For those seeking support for your eating disorder stemming from mental illness, go here

Or try We Bite Back! 

However, it appears the vast majority are about the desire to starve and beat yourself up until you are as thin as Richie.  As LJ said themselves, “It’s not a crime to desire to be thin!”

Agreed. Your prerogative.

4) So why to I care? I consider it my job to expose this underground community to parents who are not paying attention to what their daughters are doing online.

I also am a voice of reason for those looking to get out of the ProAna community, a place where many have retreated to in order to escape the hell that is purposeful starvation  

(don’t misconstrue this with anorexia the mental disease….two distinctly different things, so let’s not rehash this point please).

I have certainly learned one thing in the past year of blogging on this topic, the proana community is getting stronger and larger, reinforcing the need to expose the problem. On the positive side, I know first hand that a lot of you that are “on the fence” or have had enough of the proana lifestyle are now here, and you are listening.

For that I am grateful. There’s a better life out there girls, stick with me and you will find it.

 -mamaV

Today we are coining a new phrase; social anorexia.

Social Anorexia is an eating disorder stemming from the pure desire to be thin, in order to be perceived by others as beautiful and worthy. Sufferers are heavily influenced by media, hollywood and the fashion industry. The message they understand is being sent from the media; thin is beautiful. If you are not thin, you are not worthy. 

Social anorexics desire to be thin distorts their view of the world. If diet restriction fails, these individuals self esteem is destroyed and they fall further into their belief they will never measure up to societies expectaions of beauty and body image.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/xJub9NFn9jo]

In the last post Be A Troll, I challenged parents to go to Pro Anorexia web sites and surf around.

In the same post, I asked those of you that visit these sites to post your reasons for doing so, along with information on how you do or do not have your parents support.

The results are pathetic.

Over 40 posts, 35+ are from girls with eating disorders. Where the hell are the parents?

The two parents that posted, basically tried to tell me how wrong I am with this blog, and how much harm I am doing by supporting the belief that parents may play a role in eating disorder. One even got so ticked, she stomped her feet and said she’s not coming back.

Ummm, all you have to do is read this damn blog to know that parents do play some sort of role here. Do you think these girls are making up this misery?

Before you get blinded by your anger, let me restate where I stand:

Anorexia, and eating disorders are mental diseases (for the most part).

Restricting food is about control not about looking good (sometimes, but doesn’t explain Thinspiration).

Parents are not the cause of eating disorders (but they can play a part).

Societies obsession with beauty and body image is creating an entirely different sort of eating disorder….this is at the heart of why I am here.

——————–

Girls, I am sorry. No wonder why some of you feel no support. No wonder why you surf these sites incessantly. No wonder why you ask me, a non-expert, for help.

What about my parents? 

One word – awesome. Both of them. Totally supportive then, now and always. Neither had anything at all to do with my disordered eating.

In fact, my 68 year old father came over today to pick my son up for swimming. He sat down and told me he spent some time trolling pro-anorexia sites and watching thinspiration videos.  He said he literally felt sick to his stomach because this is so sad.

It ain’t pretty out here parents, but the longer you stick your head in the damn sand the more I feel alone in this effort.

Crap, I think its time for the mamaV superhero outfit (inside joke for PTC!). Let’s vote on color and style.

Love you all, have a great weekend.

XOXO

mamaV 

I posted an ad last week that has sparked quite a bit of controversy called “Make Your Daughter Anorexic.”

This enlightening post gave me an idea, let’s call it the Pro Ana Troll Experiment.

My goal here is to encourage parents, adults, and other non-proanaorexia faithfuls to emerge themselves in this world and share their feedback.

(Translation:  PARENTS…….WAKE UP)

 To participate in this experiment, please do the following:

1 Go to Google Type in Pro Ana. Spend 15 minutes clicking through the results and reading the content.

2 Go to YouTube.com. Search for Pro Ana. Spend 15 minutes watching the proana videos girls have uploaded to the site.

3 Come back here and tell us your thoughts, feelings and feedback after viewing this material.

To All Pro Ana Girls: How can you participate? 

1 Please post your feelings about why you visit these sites, and what they do for you. 

2 Tell us if your parents have played a part in your disorder or if they have helped you out of it.

3 Dream a little…..what would you do if for 1 day you were your beloved Nicole Richie?

Looking forward to the storm,

mamaV

We started the ProAna challenge back on May 24th. As “30 day challenge” comes to a close, what have we learned?

When I think back to all the posts going back and forth between the most active participants, I am left with the following conclusions:

1 We all made some great, new friends.

2 The vast majority of posts were positive in thought and very encouraging in nature.

3 I have to believe the challenge made you all stop, think and recognize your destructive behaviors. Even if you didn’t stop the behavior, you need to pat yourself on the back for any and all attempts to STOP. I congratulate you!

4 The web is very alluring. ProAna sites are a huge part of your lives. Your friends are there and walking away from the sites means walking away from friends. I want to leave you with this….your friends will understand why you had to walk away. Who knows, perhaps your exit from the proana circuit will make them stop and think.

5 You are all intelligent, compassionate women with great lives ahead of you. I am convinced that you will all find your way. It may take months, or years but you will find yourself. You are not your ED.

Please tell me in your own words what you learned here,

XOXO

mamaV

I received an email regarding an individual who claims to be an “Ana Trainer.” This could be hoax, it could be real. Let’s not take chances and get this out there.

Here is the message received:

There is an “ana trainer” named Brian who has apparently “trained” 1000’s of girls. He has brainwashed them, using financial and mental slavery tactics, has people going around to eating disorrder websites on recruiting drives for him, is known to get illicit photos from these girls no matter what age. At least one girl has commited suicide for him.

Here is his picture:

As a rule of thumb NEVER use your real name or give out your contact information.

Be aware that when you send email, your real name may be displayed to the recipient. You need to go into your email profile and remove your real name.

No one has any magical “tips & tricks” for you to be anorexic. Anorexia is a disease, and willing yourself to have it will only lead to self hatred and misery.

Protect your anonimity, think before you type and send messages to those you encounter on proana forums

Anyone who has further information on this person or others like him please let me know. If you have information that proves this is a hoax, please send that along as well. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io_JoykvFYA]

 Be careful online girls,

mamaV