09.20.07
(th)inspired
Re-reading yesterday’s post made me wonder, what if I really did have an eating disorder (just f.y.i., never had, never will have, unless it’s overeating), would anyone view it as a cry for help? It also brought to mind a heap of videos I watched on YouTube in escalating horror—short clips called ‘thinspos’ or ‘thinspirations’.
You can type those terms in and check it out for yourself. It was quite horrifying actually, because most of these homemade videos featured snapshots of really really skinny girls—celebrities such as Nicole Richie, one of the Olsen twins (I keep forgetting which) and Mischa Barton, alongside real girls who proudly show off their jutting hipbones, matchstick legs, clearly visible ribs and scrawny arms.
Inserted among the clips are dark words like how being thin is the only thing they aspire for, and how they wish they were ’strong like ana*’ (*anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder). These are most often accompanied by sad background music, which work together to really reinforce the point that these girls who watch or create these clips, feel so alone and that the only thing they can control is food. That solace lies in being in full control of one’s own body, using and objectifying the bodies of others to fuel their loneliness and obsession with thin-ness.
I’m not going to make any judgment calls here (though I will maintain that it is shocking to me, and deeply saddens me that they feel so alone because I can totally remember instances when I’d feel the same way), but just to merely say that I sincerely hope anyone out there would be truly happy with what they do, but not to the point of obsession.
I mean, we all want to be thin (ok, in my case, toned—because I can still wobble my flabby stomach around with the best of them) and fit, but at what cost? Isn’t your own well-being, emotionally, mentally and physically, precious enough? But baaah…the point of this isn’t to be preachy. I dunno what the point is, actually 
I’m tired and kinda sad thinking about it.
Just random thoughts bouncing about in my head.
ish said,
September 20, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I’ve heard about this too and have seen some disturbing images as well. They call the clothes they wear Size Zero don’t they?
I think it’s completely disgusting. Being fit is one thing, starving yourself into becoming a stick is another.
meldee: uhuh
it’s a mental condition.
Sarah said,
September 21, 2007 at 7:15 am
Hey Mel,
Being a nursing student and studying mental health..Just thought that I would point out t\what is actually happening to those girls. They may strieve to be a American size 0 (or an AU size 6), but the damage is horrifying. Their kidenys, liver, bone structure and muscle become so bad if they keep it up that they won’t be able to concieve (as their ovaries shut down and didn’t start up), if they keep it going for 10 years, they will be in a walking frame by the age of 30 as their bones never developed. Also kidneys = dialysis for the rest of their lives (usually if bad enough can happen at 20years old) and liver transplants. It’s scary and a real obession…..The hardest is trying to convince them that they don’t look good, nor do they look fat…
I don’t know one girl who thoguht she was big at some stage but thats going way too far….
meldee: yeeps. i’m absorbing this wide-eyed. thanks ms.nurse
Rosalyn said,
September 21, 2007 at 1:00 pm
ooo…. Size 0 is still normal. Wait till you see 00 and 000. Today I saw them all and I think my 4P looks a bit BIG yeah.. O_O
meldee: YE GADS THERE ARE SIZE 000′S??!! *pengsan* that’s like the size of my 7 year-old cousin i reckon.
Rosalyn said,
September 22, 2007 at 2:45 am
Yeah, absurd isn’t it???!!?!? Geez… i don’t know what’s wrong with the size chart!
Zhen said,
September 22, 2007 at 7:20 pm
They should make size negative-ones or something; “If you can fit into this, you’re too skinny!”