When I began my blog in late 2012, I dove into the “healthy living” community with gusto (in my mind, at least). I spent the better part of my (then) slow work days reading food blogs, imagining myself a raw vegan (that didn’t last too long thanks to my deeply rooted love for bacon), and becoming some exercise-loving guru.

Luckily for me—that foray into unknown dietary territory was short-lived (not that there’s anything wrong with veganism—particularly for ethics—or following other “diets,” such as paleo, vegetarian, etc. that work for your body and lifestyle).

Now, although I still strive to live a healthy lifestyle, I’m somewhat reluctant to label myself a “healthy living blogger.”’

You see, I had no idea just how obsessive and disordered this community could sometimes be.

Yes, there are many bloggers whom I respect and admire: they cook beautiful, natural food; they inspire others to find their own healthy lifestyle; they are incredibly fit in their own way; and they believe in moderation and doing what’s best for their own body and health.

Nevertheless, there are numerous bloggers whom I’ve stopped following because they seem unaware of their own dangerous habits. In blogging, we only see through a single window of somebody’s life—not the whole picture—but we owe our readers the care and consideration we’d give our closest friends and family. Some bloggers—most likely with good intentions—promote calorie counting/restriction, omitting certain food groups (ethics, allergies, and sensitivities aside), and excessive exercise. Readers may emulate this behavior, not realizing its potential harmful effects on their own lives.

February 22- 28 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Once again, the theme is I had no idea…

While I’ve never personally suffered from an eating disorder, I’ve felt unhappy with my body, tried to control my emotions with food, pushed myself too hard in exercise, and seen how easy and fulfilling it can be on the surface to control one’s sadness, self-esteem issues, or anxiety with food—whether through restricting or bingeing. I’ve seen others fall into the depths of true eating disorders and suffer detrimental consequences to their health.

Eating disorders are true mental illness and deserve attention and funding for treatment. Did you know that 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States suffer, at some point in their lives, from a clinically significant eating disorder?

Eating disorders are deadly. In fact, anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, often going hand-in-hand with clinical depression and substance abuse. [source]

This week—and always—be vigilant in your self-care and identifying dangerous behavior in your family and friends.

Some signs to watch for…

• poor body image
• preoccupation with food (counting calories, weighing food, avoiding certain food groups, etc.)
• fear of social eating/eating in public
• frequent trips to the bathroom (especially after eating)
• sudden weight loss
• obsessive exercise

Never be scared or ashamed to seek help—your struggles do not define you. For more information on eating disorder awareness, symptoms, and risks, click here.