Happy Easter, 2012

HAPPY EASTER!

Blessings to each of you for a wonderful Easter!  Christians believe today is the most Holiest of days.   If you are celebrating Easter, please take time to reflect on the meaning of this day, the gifts you have been given, and if you are making the most of yourself and your life.

Are you moving forward and saying “NO” to ED, or “YES” to a life of being “the best version of yourself” in God’s light?  For all you fabulous women and men of all faiths, LET’S CELEBRATE LIFE!

Ann Hull, LISW, President, The Hull Institute, LLC

April 8, 2012

Oscars, 2012. Disappointment. Disgust. Rage.

Oscars, 2012. Disappointment. Disgust. Rage.

All directed at Angelina Jolie’s right leg and the dictated "glamour" of Hollywood.  Why do we get sucked into this starlet’s mental health issue?  Our gawking and idolizing play right into her narcissism. Reportedly, Angelina has a history of psychiatric trouble.  Reportedly, she has admitted to eating as little as 600 calories per day. Reportedly, she stands with the foreign refugee kids she helps..."if they can't eat, I can't eat."  For whatever reason she does what she does, let's call it what it is:  UNHEALTHY.   But really, what a role model she might be if only she could care enough about herself and all the young women around the world who idolize her.  Clearly, she's too sick to recognize her misguided portrayal of health and beauty.  Yes, Dr. Drew and others have called her “malnourished” and “dangerously thin”.  Great.  That's a start.  But it's up to young women to refuse this notion of "beauty".  Like Grandma always said, “beauty comes from within”.  Beauty is compassion and confidence in being a true role model.  Angie seems to have it all (on the outside) ... AND an eating disorder.  Go ahead and look, but don't idolize her.  Feel sorry for her and then look the other way.

I am Jill Brown, Registered Dietitian at The Hull Institute.  Those of you who know me know I am passionate about this issue.  Those who don’t know me, well, here’s a glimpse!   I couldn’t let this issue pass without comment.

At the close of Eating Disorders Awareness week, we invite you to spend some serious time pondering your values, your goals for yourself, who you want to be, and commit to becoming that person.  If we at The Hull Institute can be of assistance, please contact us.

Follow directions. Ours, not ED’s, not Hollywood's. 

Lack of Oxygen

As we complete month 1 of this New Year I am reminded that each of us has great potential.  We all have new opportunities for health, wealth and happiness.  In making space for my own personal opportunities, I was struck by an article in my University of Colorado alumni bulletin about the 1996 Mount Everest climb gone awry.  You might recall the expedition of seasoned climbers who had well laid plans for making it safely to the summit.  Eight climbers died on that tragic day.  Of 3300 climbers who have ever made it to the top of the highest peak in the world, 220 have died.  That is less than 1%.  Don’t forget that 10-15% of people with eating disorders die.  Eating disorders are way more risky than climbing Mount Everest…

Years later, one of the survivors of that climb, Neal Beidleman, a CU grad, returned to the mountain and had this to say: “A lot of people have burdened Scott and Rob (two seasoned guides who perished) and others up there after the fact with all the things they should have done.  But the reality is, once you are out of oxygen, your world becomes very small and you are capable of becoming very limited.  I was reminded of that.”

Oxygen is fuel.  HEALTHY FOOD is also fuel.  Without both, our world can become very small, and all our potential is lost and we ourselves become very small and limited.  No one chooses to get an eating disorder.  And you CAN CHOOSE to have, or not have eating disorder behaviors.  The thoughts linger, ED’s voice can be very strong at times, and each person has the choice to say NO to behaviors, and YES to life!

Neal also had this to say: “…You can come to terms with accepting what your limitations are.  Just allowing yourself to appreciate that you maybe did everything you could under the circumstances is really powerful.” 

So, today, work on accepting yourself, make space for goodness and new opportunities, and BREATHE!

Ann Hull, LISW, MBA

The Hull Institute, LLC

http://www.hullinstitute.com/.  PLease feel free to comment on our blogs and contact us on Facebook and Twitter