Summary

In this episode, Aaron Flores interviews Max, a 45-year-old man living in the Midwest, about his struggles with food and body image. Max shares his experiences growing up in a household focused on dieting and the impact it had on his relationship with food. He also discusses the trauma he experienced as a child and how it contributed to his use of food as a coping mechanism. Max highlights the challenges of being a man and discussing these issues, as well as the importance of finding support and engaging in self-care activities like hiking.

Keywords

body image, food, dieting, trauma, coping mechanism, privilege, masculinity, support, self-care, hiking

Takeaways

• Growing up in a household focused on dieting can have a significant impact on a person's relationship with food and body image.
• Experiencing trauma as a child can contribute to the development of disordered eating behaviors and the use of food as a coping mechanism.
• Men often face challenges in discussing their struggles with food and body image due to societal expectations of masculinity.
• Finding support through therapy, personal trainers, and online communities can be helpful in navigating these issues.
• Engaging in self-care activities, such as hiking, can provide a sense of peace and healing.

Tour de France: Unchained

Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN

Body Image Coaching for Men

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Summary

In this episode of the Men Unscripted podcast, host Aaron Flores talks to Giddy, a trans man in a larger body, about his experiences with body image and eating disorders. Giddy shares his journey growing up in a small rural town, dealing with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and the impact of fatphobia and societal expectations on his self-esteem. They discuss the intersection of anorexia and ARFID, the lack of understanding and support for atypical anorexia, and the importance of body acceptance and self-advocacy. Giddy also highlights the role of social media in finding representation and building a community of support. In this conversation, Giddy and Aaron discuss the intersection of body image, gender identity, and eating disorders. Giddy shares their experience as a trans man and how it has influenced their body image journey. They also discuss the importance of support from the queer and trans community and the role of advocacy in medical settings. Giddy emphasizes the value of taking pictures to connect with their body and document their experiences. They also mention resources like health at every size and fact-checking pages on Tumblr.

Keywords

body image, eating disorders, trans man, larger body, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, ARFID, fatphobia, anorexia, atypical anorexia, body acceptance, gender identity, advocacy, queer community, taking pictures, health at every size, fact-checking

Takeaways

• Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is often misunderstood and mislabeled as picky eating, but it is a distinct eating disorder that goes beyond food preferences.
• The intersection of anorexia and ARFID can complicate the experience of both disorders, and individuals may not fit the DSM criteria for a specific diagnosis.
• Fatphobia and societal expectations can have a profound impact on body image and self-esteem, leading to disordered eating behaviors and a cycle of extreme restriction and brief periods of eating.
• Finding representation and support through social media can be empowering for individuals with marginalized identities and experiences, helping them challenge societal norms and embrace body acceptance.
• Building a community of support, whether through work friends, therapy, or hobbies like playing D&D, can provide a safe space to share experiences and receive validation and understanding. The diet industry perpetuates harmful messaging about body size and shape, which can negatively impact body image and contribute to eating disorders.
• Gender identity can influence body image, and being trans can present unique challenges and opportunities for self-acceptance.
• Support from the queer and trans community is crucial in navigating body image issues and eating disorders.
• Taking pictures can help connect with and appreciate one's body, challenging negative body image perceptions.
• Resources like health at every size and fact-checking pages on social media can provide valuable information and challenge fatphobic narratives.

Links

This is Thin Privilege - Tumblr

Fatphobia Busters - Tumblr

Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN

Body Image Coaching for Men

Learn more about Within Health

Summary

In this episode, Aaron Flores interviews a guest named Blake, who shares his experience with an eating disorder. Blake discusses his journey from feeling hopeless and trapped in his eating disorder to finding a path towards recovery. He talks about the impact of diet culture and societal expectations of masculinity on his body image and self-esteem. Blake also highlights the importance of hearing other people's stories and finding hope in their recovery journeys. Throughout the conversation, they touch on topics such as the all-consuming nature of eating disorders, the challenges of coming to terms with having an eating disorder, and the realization that achieving a specific body image does not bring happiness or confidence. The conversation concludes with discussing the movie 'Back to the Future' and its themes of taking control of one's future and appreciating the present moment.

Keywords

eating disorder, body image, recovery, hope, masculinity, diet culture, self-esteem, recovery, success stories, difficult emotions, therapy, journaling, body acceptance,

Takeaways

• Eating disorders can consume every thought and moment of a person's day, making it difficult to break free from the mindset.
• Coming to terms with having an eating disorder can be a challenging process, often involving denial and resistance to seeking help.
• Societal expectations of masculinity and the idealization of a certain body image can contribute to the development and perpetuation of eating disorders.
• Recovery from an eating disorder involves questioning and challenging deeply ingrained beliefs about food, body image, and self-worth.
• Hearing other people's stories of recovery can provide hope and inspiration for individuals struggling with eating disorders.
• Success stories can inspire and motivate individuals to make positive changes in their own lives.
• Allowing oneself to feel difficult emotions is an integral part of the healing process.
• Therapy and journaling can provide support and help in coping with emotions.
• Engaging in activities that bring joy and reconnecting with one's body are essential in recovery.
• Saying yes to new experiences and challenging avoidance behaviors can lead to personal growth.
• The movie 'Back to the Future' highlights the themes of taking control of one's future and appreciating the present moment.

Life Without ED - Jenni Schaefer

Brain Over Binge - Kathryn Hansen

Back to the Future - Netflix

Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN

Body Image Coaching for Men

Learn more about Within Health