Binge eating disorder (BED) is finally becoming an official diagnosis in the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental health professionals (DSM 5). So this is a good time to highlight facts about the disorder, because, unfortunately, it’s still misunderstood (and not talked about much). 

For starters, you might be surprised to learn that BED is actually the most common eating disorder. It affects 3.5 percent of American women and 2 percent of American men.

Most importantly, BED is highly treatable. Effective treatments are available, and recovery is absolutely possible. You can have a healthy and peaceful relationship with food, weight and yourself.

Below, Karen Trevithick, PsyD, CEDS, clinical director for Eating Recovery Center’s Outpatient Services, reveals the biggest myths about BED, why it’s so misunderstood, why dieting doesn’t work and signs you can watch out for.

{via etsy by ColorMeLucky}

Every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit that helps boost your body image, whether directly or indirectly — and hopefully kick-starts your week on a positive note!

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

Are you sure you should eat that? Think your hips have gotten bigger? Maybe you need to work out a little more? Looking particularly large in that outfit, aren’t we? I can’t believe you couldn’t finish that workout. Everyone else did. Your stomach looks enormous today. What else is new. 

Yep, these kinds of thoughts still swirl in my head. Some days, they’re mere whispers. Other days, they start slow but swiftly seem to hijack my brain.

A positive body image goes beyond liking your looks. It encompasses taking good care of yourself and leading a fulfilling life. In this weekly series, I share some of my favorite posts from some of my favorite bloggers on this topic. Sometimes I also share relevant pieces that I’ve written on the Web. Hope you find these links inspiring!

Vivienne reveals her creative process and the power of self-portraiture in our interview.

{via etsy by Katie Daisy}

I’m not much for clever planners, productivity apps or special efficiency software. I live by to-do lists. I love jotting down what I need to do on stationary or even a napkin (clearly, whatever is handy). I also love my paper planner. And, on some days, I get spontaneous and type in a text file.

While they’re helpful, sometimes, to-do lists have a way of obscuring everything else. We get so focused on checking off tasks — big or small — that we forget to look around us. We forget to savor. And breathe in what’s right in front of our eyes (ears, nose, hands).

{via etsy by BLintonPhotography}

We’ve all had those days when one look in the mirror spikes our stress levels. (I still do.) For many of us, that’s when the inner critic starts ranting and raving. Before we know it we’re bashing our bodies and berating our qualities as a whole.

But it doesn’t have to escalate to an all-out brawl between you and your body. Here are several ways to cope without fueling those negative thoughts and sinking your self-esteem. Some of these can be done in the moment; others can be done later in the day.

Every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit that helps boost your body image, whether directly or indirectly — and hopefully kick-starts your week on a positive note!

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

Last week I was watching Therese’s beautiful videos on coping with depression. As you can imagine (and many of you may know firsthand), depression is not easy on a marriage. One of the ways Therese shows her gratitude to her husband is by penning a love letter to him every single day.

A positive body image goes beyond liking your looks. It encompasses taking good care of yourself and leading a fulfilling life. In this weekly series, I share some of my favorite posts from some of my favorite bloggers on this topic. Sometimes I also share relevant pieces that I’ve written on the Web. Hope you find these links inspiring!

What to do instead of numbing out.

7 damaging myths about self-care.

I’m starting a new series here on Weightless, where I’ll share a quote, comment or passage from another resource. Think of it as a kind of nugget to ponder, a morsel to nibble on; questions to explore when you have a few moments to yourself.

These questions will mostly focus on delving into your relationship with your body and yourself.

{I’ve always wanted to see these flowers in person. I finally did in Connecticut!}

Last week I was up north visiting my family and friends. I had a wonderful time. And while we stayed busy, there were certainly pockets of relaxation (like when we went to Connecticut and spent all day in a park).

But I’m a creature of habit. I thrive on routines (with some flexibility and freedom in between).

While I was away, I had very little structure. My sleeping, eating and exercise patterns zig-zagged.

So it’s not surprising that when I got back to Florida, I didn’t feel relaxed. I was uptight and edgy.

Instead of my usual body image booster, today, I’d like to talk bout dieting. That’s because, today, is International No Diet Day (INDD).

INDD was started by Mary Evans Young, the director of the British anti-diet campaign “Diet Breakers” and author of the best-selling book Diet Breaking: Having It All Without Having To Diet.

Today, it’s celebrated all over the world.