The Hoya: The Guide: February 6, 2015

the guide February 6, 2015

Health and Wellness

INSIDE

3 4

One Step at a Time

Tricks for a College Diet

5

Booze by the Numbers

6

The Fluidity of Beauty

8

Beneath the Facade

9

Past the Brink and Back

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Student Health Examined

11

Tipping Over the Scale

Mallika Sen, Editor-in-Chief Hannah Kaufman, Guide Editor Carolyn Maguire, Executive Editor Alexander Brown, Managing Editor Jess Kelham-Hohler, Online Editor Daniel Smith, Photography Editor Shannon Hou, Layout Editor Zack Saravay, Copy Chief Michael Fiedorowicz, Deputy Guide Editor Gianna Pisano, Deputy Guide Editor Matthew Trunko, Deputy Layout Editor Katherine Cienkus, Deputy Copy Editor Gabi Hasson, Deputy Copy Editor Becca Saltzman, Deputy Copy Editor Front and Back Covers: Daniel Smith/The Hoya Cover Models: Benjamin Saunders (SFS ’15), Lauren Stricker (SFS ’18)

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THIS ISSUE

H

ealth and well-being are concepts integral to one's college and life experiences. Yet on such a bustling campus, students rarely ever pause to examine their state of mind and body.

From personal narratives of conquered eating disorders to health advice from Yates, Leo's and CAPS employees, this issue explores sides of beauty and well-being that will make you stop and think.

District Workouts NOVEMBER PROJECT

The November Project is a free fitness movement that spans the country. The Washington, D.C. branch is open to anybody wishing to get or stay in shape.

VALENTINE’S DAY FUN RUN WHERE: 3405 M Street WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

PRICE: Free INTRODUCTORY BIKE RIDES WHERE: National Portrait Gallery WHEN: Dec. 5 to Jan. 11 PRICE: Free

NIKE+ RUN CLUB WHERE: 3040 M Street WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

PRICE: Free

On the Thursday before Valentine’s Day, the D.C. Road Runners Club is hosting a fun run starting at the Georgetown Running Company location on M Street. At the end of the 3- or 5-mile loop, runners can enjoy Baked and Wired, Pie Sisters and other treats from local businesses.

For those looking to get into biking in Georgetown, the Bike Rack holds weekly, beginner-focused rides. Led by expert instructors, these provide a safe, fun way to try out group bike rides. These introductory rides are both social and fun for novice bike riders hoping to explore the city sites.

If night runs are easier to fit into your weekly schedule, try the weekly Nike+ running groups. These are designed for any level of runner, so whether you are leading the pack or struggling to finish, the Nike+ Run Club has a spot for you on a lowkey run.

D.C. TRIATHLON CLUB TRAIL RUN/WALK WHERE: 2401 Tilden Street WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 8 at 9 a.m.

PRICE: Free NOVEMBER PROJECT WEEKLY RUNS WHERE: Lincoln Memorial Steps WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 a.m.

PRICE: Free FREE BARRE AND YOGA WHERE: 3265 M Street WHEN: Monday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. (Barre) and Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. (Yoga) PRICE: Free

Every Sunday at 9 a.m., the D.C. Triathlon Club is host to group trail runs in Rock Creek Park. Various trail lengths and speeds are available to runners and walkers of every skill level. Enjoy getting outside amid winter’s coldest depths and see the beautiful sights of Rock Creek Park at no cost.

When running seems like pure torture, it is vital to find ways to make it more enjoyable. The November Project’s aim is to improve the way people see fitness, especially in the cold winter months. It holds weekly runs designed to inspire people to love exercise and have fun — so catch one when you can!

The Lululemon Athletica holds a variety of free fitness classes every week. All you need is a mat to join the introductory barre and yoga sessions, which are located in the store. Any level of yogi can participate, and even the least flexible beginners will get a great workout.

One step at a time Yates assistant director discusses exercise goals Meghan Dimsa

I

COURTESY MEGHAN DIMSA

Meghan Dimsa

M.ED., M.A., C.S.C.S Georgetown University Assistant Director of Yates Field House Director of Fitness and Wellness

f you have watched TV or read books and magazines, you have likely been bombarded with advertisements for trendy exercise programs bottled in a “onesize-fits-all” package. Like most of us, you begin to lose steam, motivation and interest a few weeks into the program. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013, more than 50 percent of us drop out of an exercise program within the first six months. So whether you get bored, make excuses or just can’t find the time — below are a few tips on how to help manage your own exercise plan.

KATHLEEN GUAN FOR THE HOYA

Getting in touch If you would like to chat further about how you can pick the right fitness program for your lifestyle and stick with it for the long haul, please contact Meghan Dimsa at mcd75@georgetown.edu.

steP 1

Write down goals that meet your needs, schedule and fitness level: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” I know you have heard this time and again, and, well, it’s true. You wouldn’t expect to excel on a test without studying, or give a quality presentation without preparation, right? Why should your fitness plan be any different? Writing out your goals will help keep you on track during those tough bumps in the road.

When you’re goal setting, remember to make the goal Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (S.M.A.R.T.). Here’s an example: A general goal would be, “Get in shape.” But a S.M.A.R.T. goal would say, “Do 30 minutes of cardio three days a week and weight train two days a week to lose 2 percent of body fat by Aug. 21, 2015.”

steP 2

Once you have written down all of your S.M.A.R.T. goals, jot down any barriers that might prevent you from reaching your goal. For example, if one of your main barriers is finding the time, write it down. Look at what you have written and brainstorm what that entails and how you can overcome that barrier. If you have a demanding class schedule, study groups and test preparation, it’s understandable how fitness can easily get lost in the hustle and bustle of each day. Examine your obstacles and all of the circumstances that prevent you from participating in some form of physical activity. I would dare to argue that some of us find about 30 minutes for Facebook or Twitter during that busy day. Can you replace those sedentary tasks with exercise?

steP 3

Make fitness a priority. While it’s definitely easier to sit at our computers and cruise Facebook or send a Tweet than to change clothes and hit

the gym, the latter is extremely more rewarding in the long haul. Once you have documented your S.M.A.R.T. goals and your barriers, it’s time to examine your day and decide where fitness can “fit” in. Next time you’re browsing the Internet or staring blankly at the TV, pay attention to how much time has elapsed. Even 10 minutes of physical activity is a start, and something is always better than nothing.

steP 4

OK, so you’ve done all three steps and you’ve finally made it to the gym! Congratulations! Now, how do you actually stick to an exercise program? Your mindset is extremely important. Think of your exercise program as a lifestyle, not a quick-fix solution as many of today’s fitness trends lead you to believe. Exercise should become part of your life on a regular basis. Start off modestly — your first gym visit shouldn’t include a two-hour marathon race on the elliptical machine paired with five hours of CrossFit. If you can carve out 30 minutes to do moderate-intensity cardio most days of the week, that’s excellent. If you simply aren’t ready for that much of a commitment, just start out with a 10- or 15-minute walk here and there. Initially, what’s most important is to set goals that are attainable for you and your life. Each time you reach a goal you have set, you will gain more confidence and momentum to continue with future workouts.

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Once you’ve been exercising for a while, don’t forget to mix it up and enjoy it. Work out with friends, try some group fitness classes and consider ways to tweak your current workout program. Why do we make time for Facebook or TV throughout the day? Because we enjoy it. Physical activity should not be different. If your workout program becomes something you dread doing every day, you more than likely will not stick with it. Pick activities that you enjoy and take it from there!

health and wellness issue | 3

Tricks FOR a college diet Dietician navigates campus nutrition options Allison Marco

DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA

Allison Marco is the registered dietician at Georgetown. She offers insightful tips for leading a healthy lifestyle at school.

“H

ow do I stay healthy on a college campus?”

This question, along with many others, is common among students transitioning from home to college, especially in their first year. For the first time, students are fully in charge of their diet and can often be overwhelmed with the abundance of choices on campus, new schedules and sleeping patterns, social responsibilities and more.

While it can be easy to choose convenient foods on the run or to order late-night pizza, it is important to consider healthier choices. The decisions that you make now and the habits you form will affect you in the long run, and there is no better time to start thinking about your health than the present. Eating well in college can help increase your energy and concentration as well as better your mood and sleep. Consuming a variety of nutrients helps prevent sickness and will help you reach your wellness goals.

Luckily, there are many resources on campus focused on healthy eating and living, including Health Education Services, Counseling and Psychiatric Services and free nutrition-counseling services offered by O’Donovan Hall. There are many tips

4 | the guide

that can help you manage your nutritional intake here at Georgetown.

Here are some of my own go-to recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Eating frequently throughout the day will help keep your blood sugar stable, which helps to regulate energy and mood. For best results, eat within one hour of waking up, which will jumpstart your metabolism and cause you to burn more calories throughout the day. Then, try to eat either a meal or snack every three to four hours. Aim for three meals and one to two snacks per day.

This will help you feel satisfied longer and prevent overeating at meals.

Make sure to balance protein and carbohydrates during every meal and snack. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for your body, and protein helps you stay full and satisfied. Getting a balance of these two nutrients each time you eat will help regulate your blood sugar and keep your body content throughout your classes.

For snacks, try Greek yogurt, lowfat cottage cheese with fruit, a KIND or Kashi Chewy Bar, fruit with nuts or nut butters, or low-fat cheese with crackers or fruit. When deciding what to eat for a meal, the plate method is a good resource. This ap-

proach includes filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, a quarter of your plate with lean meats, a quarter of your plate with carbohydrates. You should also have a small portion of dairy on the side.

These recommendations provide a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats to keep you fueled and energized for a longer period of time.

Next, make sure to listen to your body. Now you are making healthier choices, but how much of these healthy foods are you supposed to eat? Instead of listening only to the media and news about how much food you need, listen to your body. Your body will tell you when it is hungry, what it is craving and when it is full. Ask yourself, am I eating because I am hungry or because I am bored? If you are hungry, then eat, but if you are eating for other reasons, it is important to acknowledge that and to find something else to do.

Also, try to eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it is full. Chew your food thoroughly and take the time to savor and taste your meal. Eat until you feel comfortable and satisfied, not excessively full. Know that you can eat again later. If you are at a restaurant, take your leftovers to-go.

When you are at the buffet-styled Leo’s, mastering healthy eating can seem challenging, but there are many nutritious options —all it takes is a little creativity! The first thing you should do upon entering the dining hall is survey your options. What healthy items are available and how can you put together a balanced meal? Think about the plate method and how you can make a healthy plate while still eating foods that you enjoy. The key is to make healthy, nutritious foods the majority of your diet, while enjoying “fun” foods in moderation.

This is not only applicable at Leo’s, but anytime you eat!

Overall, healthy living on campus is about getting a good balance of exercise, a healthy diet, reduced stress and adequate sleep. For more information, seek out campus services and take advantage of the abundant resources available to you.

Getting in touch If you’d like to chat further about your college dietary needs, please contact Allison Marco at (202) 687-5379 or amm464@georgetown.edu.

SPICE UP GRILLED CHICKEN

HEALTHIER PIZZA DINNER

Make it Mediterranean by adding hummus, feta and artichoke from the hummus bar.

Instead of having three slices, try having one to two slices of pizza with a salad on the side.

GOOD-FOR-YOU PASTA

A BETTER BURRITO BOWL

Add lean meat and extra vegetables, and ask for a little less pasta.

Choose chicken, beans, vegetables and guacamole for healthy fat.

Limit the cheese and sour cream.

More Healthy Leo's Tips HEALTHIER DINER OPTIONS Turkey burgers and veggie burgers, on a bun or with a salad.

HEALTHY STATIONS Salad bar, fruit and yogurt station, hummus bar, soups, vegan/vegetarian bar.

HEALTHIER DELI SANDWICHES Use turkey, one slice of cheese and any vegetables.

Try hummus for a healthier spread.

BETTER CHICKEN FINGER THURSDAY Instead of chicken fingers with fries, have one or two chicken fingers with a side salad.

BOOZE BY THE NUMBERS G SPIRITS (1.5 oz)

Everclear Grain Liquor: 226 cal Bombay Gin: 114 cal Fireball Whiskey: 108 cal Jack Daniel’s Whiskey: 98 cal Bacardi Rum: 98 cal

Smirnoff Original Vodka: 97 cal Captain Morgan Spiced Rum: 81 cal Malibu Rum: 76 cal Jose Cuervo: 69 cal Burnett’s Citrus Vodka: 67 cal

oing out is a big part of the lives of many college students.

However, drinks can quickly add up in calories, especially when you are alternating with different kinds of alcohol.

Before you know it, you may have already ingested several hundred calories.

Hard liquor has an especially high calorie content, and often you can down several drinks without knowing the toll it’s taking on your diet. Make sure that you are in control of your weekend alcohol intake with this handy calorie guide.

WINE (5 oz)

BEER (12 oz)

Sutter Home Pink Moscato: 135 cal Cupcake Moscato: 125 cal André Extra Dry Champagne: 130 cal Yellowtail Merlot: 120 cal Barefoot Pinot Grigio: 114 cal Franzia Chillable Red: 105 cal

Blue Moon: 164 cal Stella (11.2 oz): 154 cal Budweiser: 145 cal Pabst Blue Ribbon: 144 cal Bud Light: 110 cal Keystone Light: 104 cal Miller Lite: 96 cal Natural Lite: 95 cal

GRAPHICS: DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA

Calorie counts sourced from manufacturer websites and caloriecounter.com.

health and wellness issue | 5

The fluidity of beauty Georgetown students unravel body image stereotypes

O

n a campus as diverse as Georgetown’s, it is nearly impossible to create one set standard of beauty. Students are drawn here from a multitude of places defined by their distinct cultures, and each person adds his or her own perspective to the Georgetown community. In a series of videotaped interviews, several students came forward to offer their own definitions of beauty within the context of their lives. They spoke of a multifaceted idea of beauty that turned away from purely physical features to focus instead on the internal makeup of a person. While American culture seems to be far away from shedding its idealized stereotypes of beauty, their words show that change might not be so far off on the horizon — in fact, it’s already here.

LAIXIN LI FOR THE HOYA

“A lot of the American ideals of beauty are reflected here at Georgetown, just as they probably are on any college campus or in any society. People here put a lot of stake in how they look. I do, too, so I guess I’m a culprit, but it is definitely here at Georgetown. It’s always hard to change any kind of social construct, just because it’s so embedded in who we are as people.

With effort, we can bring awareness to it, which will make it easier to make a difference.”

— Anna Cardall (NHS ’18)

LAIXIN LI FOR THE HOYA

“American culture’s definition of beauty is very different than my own. For young boys and girls, there’s this notion that beauty is completely external. It’s based on how you look, based on how you act with people of the opposite sex, what you wear, how you style your hair. But, I don’t think that America’s definition of beauty is necessarily accurate at all.

I think beauty is all-around happiness and serenity. It can be an external thing — we see it in nature. But I think that beauty exists inside people as well. There’s a kind of inner beauty that exists when people are balanced, happy, joyful. I think that’s a very real thing.

Georgetown is unique in that there’s this perception that everyone is good-looking and fit. We’ve got a lot of [Division I] sports teams; Yates is a great asset for students. But, for students who don’t fall into that mold, it might be difficult to see yourself as a valuable member of the community just because your physique might not live up to that of your peers.

In general, our generation and the generations coming after us are much more aware of these issues related to body image. I’m hoping that Georgetown continues to push that with wellness week [and] psychological health. In a social environment where we have to accommodate our peers, we have to show them that they’re valued. I think that’s something that starts with us, but also with the people that come after us: trying to keep an environment that’s open to everyone.”

“I think beauty should be confidence. If your confidence radiates, and if you’re really confident with how you look, it translates into beauty. American culture is really stuck on that typical tall, blonde, long-legged, blueeyed [person]. I feel like that stigma has stayed for a lot time, and it persists; that’s how America still defines beauty today. I think it could be changed, but it would be really hard, and it might take a long time.”

— Daniel Breland (MSB ’17)

— Sinmi Tinubu (MSB ’18)

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EDUARDO VALENCIA/THE HOYA

EDUARDO VALENCIA/THE HOYA

“Beauty? That’s a loaded term. I would define beauty as confidence, knowledge of oneself and care of one’s own body. It’s not necessarily that you have to have a slim waist or ripped biceps, as long as you make a conscious and fullfledged effort to maintain your health. That would take care of the physical aspect for me.

I definitely think the exact same [beauty stereotypes] in society are most strongly seen on campus here. Anyone who walks onto Georgetown’s campus can see a lot of people running around. The weights in the gym are always full. It’s a very health-conscious campus, and I may be wrong but some of the societal pressures may be seeping into our campus, or it may just people who just want to be healthier.

What society has already ingrained or what the culture where you come from has already ingrained [is] what your vision of beauty is. To be honest I don’t even know how to begin ... to change someone’s perception of beauty.”

— Michael Sobalvarro (COL ’16)

EDUARDO VALENCIA/THE HOYA

“I would define beauty as being confident in who you are as a person and what your abilities are, both inward and outward. America’s idea of beauty has changed throughout the ages, but, primarily, it has focused on physical appearance just because, on a grander level, it’s really tough to find that inner personality — that inner beauty that on a personal level is much easier to find.

At Georgetown, there’s a large focus on physical appearance, but more so on name brands and luxury brands. You see people walking around with Burberry coats, Louis Vuitton, and there’s a big emphasis on those kinds of things.

[Change] starts primarily with yourself, just being comfortable and finding yourself beautiful, then from there spreading outward among your inner circle. Then, it will have a sort of ripple effect on a grander and grander scale.”

— Jake Lockwood (MSB ’17)

LAIXIN LI FOR THE HOYA

“We’re starting the conversation now, which is important. People don’t really talk about the underlying issues that are here; it’s something that’s kind of assumed, and people just follow it as the status quo.

There’s always something that everybody wants to change, but I don’t mind that there is something I want to change about myself. It gives me something to work toward. As long as you’re being healthy about it and still love yourself the way you are now. I don’t let things get me down too easily. I take everything with a grain of salt, always moving forward, always looking ahead.”

“American culture defines beauty by physical aspects.

It’s constantly changing by our standards, and there have been several evolutions of beauty standards in the media through Hollywood, magazines and tabloids. In this country, it’s not based on anything substantive — it’s always that you need to be thinner, have bigger hair, have different colored eyes. It’s probably the most cliched answer in the world, but I think beauty is on the inside. I would define it as people that are really true to themselves and don’t try to reflect other people’s standards and are more focused on creating their own expectations in life.”

— Alison Wong (MSB ’17)

— Daria Etezadi (SFS ’17)

LAIXIN LI/THE HOYA

“Beauty is defined by the individual who perceives it. Beauty is different things to different people.

There’s no set definition. American culture perceives beauty in a contorted way that doesn’t accurately reflect the way that the rest of the world perceives it.

This leads to unhealthy behavior. It’s not a thing that can be changed on Georgetown’s campus, but it can be changed more as a societal thing in general.”

— Max Shapiro (COL ’17)

health and wellness issue | 7

beneath the facade Robbie Ponce

I

f you asked my best friends and family, they would all agree that I am a very extreme person.

I’ve always thought I was born to be great; I have always been a dreamer, and, from a very young age, I have been my own biggest critic. I have struggled for a long time with the expectations I set for myself, my body and my life.

Although this may surprise most people at Georgetown, I admit I am probably one of the most insecure people that you know. This is my story.

Although I may have appeared to be a stubborn and pompous kid, when I was younger, I was never very confident. As a sophomore in high school, I was captain of the varsity soccer team, class president and a passionate student, but I never felt truly happy with myself.

When I was 15 years old, my grandmother, who had lived close to me since I was a child, passed away suddenly on a warm Saturday morning in May. My grandfather was diagnosed with cancer when I was 16 years old.

When my grandfather was sick and going through chemotherapy, my family moved him into my house. Just two doors down from my room, The man that I loved wasted away before my eyes. On

some days, he refused to eat or drink anything, no matter how much my family implored him.

As my grandfather grew frailer until he was barely clinging to life, I stopped eating.

Then, just after my 17th birthday, my life spiraled out of control.

After years of struggling with my skinny body image and a lack of confidence in my physical appearance, I developed anorexia nervosa.

On so many evenings, when I heard my grandfather coughing down the hall, I would lie awake in my bed. These sleepless nights were accompanied by days when I had no appetite whatsoever. I remember feeling sick and lightheaded and having to skip track practice because I had hardly eaten.

One of the scariest things is that, for a long while, I didn’t even realize that I had a problem.

At school, I would organize leadership seminars and presentations for middle schoolers, but at home, I would lock myself in my room so that I wouldn’t have to talk to anyone. I became accustomed to keeping up this happy facade, acting as a role model to the younger kids I mentored in high school, even though none of them was ever aware of how unstable I was and

NATE MOULTON/THE HOYA

Throughout high school, Robbie Ponce (COL ’17) underwent a harrowing period of self-doubt and self-discovery as he battled anorexia.

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how much I was hurting.

At my worst, I was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed less than 115 pounds. I refused to look at myself in the mirror, and I had never felt more alone. My grandfather was suffering from his illness, my older sisters were living their lives away from home and my parents were juggling their jobs and try-

“I used to wear sweatshirts so that people wouldn’t notice how much weight I had lost.” ing to care for my grandfather.

Meanwhile, I was drowning.

I felt selfish because I couldn’t make my grandfather better.

I felt helpless because I didn’t have anyone to talk to.

Worse than anything, I felt like I was living a lie. Through the many days and nights that I spent unsure of how to turn my life around, I continued to lose weight and was skinnier than I had ever been. In the spring of 2012, I used to wear sweatshirts every day so that people wouldn’t notice how much weight I had lost.

When my grandfather died after months of chemo and radiation treatments, I finally opened up to a few friends about my eating disorder. I even brought a few of them to tears when I told them about my struggles with weight and self-image. That’s when I realized something that changed my life — so many people loved me more than I loved myself.

On a night when I desperately called a friend, hoping she could get through to me, she uttered the words that have left an impression on me to this day.

“If God leads you to it, He’ll lead you through it.”

I don’t think that there was any day in particular when I suddenly turned things around, but with the coming of each new day in April 2012, I started to take steps in the right direction. I started eating more frequently, and I slowly stopped obsessing over my physical appearance. I started lifting weights and tried to improve

myself in all aspects of my life.

For the first time, I was actually becoming confident.

Today, my perspectives of myself and my life have come full circle.

Every day, I work to become the best person that I can. I push myself in the classroom, on the field and in the gym.

Instead of skipping meals and having friends constantly telling me to eat more, I go to Leo’s between four and five times a day, and my friends are continuously amazed by how much food I consume on a daily basis.

Since April 2012, I’ve gained over 55 pounds, and I am truly living my dream. I go to Yates every day and enjoy pushing myself to get stronger and faster. Every day, I do strength training, and I try to find new ways to push myself at the gym. As a member of the men’s club soccer team and an intramural basketball team, I continue to pursue team sports.

Today, I am the healthiest that I have ever been. I am proud of my body and who I have become.

After my battle with anorexia and my many struggles in high school, I have recognized how hard I have worked to be where I am today. Though I haven’t always been sure of what I want to do in my life and my journey has not been easy, I am stronger emotionally and physically because of my experiences.

Every day, I wake up at one of the country’s best universities, surrounded by ambitious people and compassionate friends. These are only a few of the many blessings that have the power to make me break into a cheesy smile anytime, any day.

Let’s face it — I am nearly 20 years old, and I have no idea what I am going to do with the rest of my life. But, one thing is for sure: I am not done growing and learning.

Every day, I try to have a positive impact on the people around me and remember those who have had a positive impact on my life and on my personal journey. I may never reach perfection, but I have my sights set on leaving a distinct impression on the world.

I can admit that I was more than apprehensive when faced with the prospect of writing this piece, as I know that many people who

know me will be surprised by what they’ve read. At the present moment, there aren’t many people with whom I’ve shared these personal struggles.

Although I’ve made some of my best friends in my last year and a half at Georgetown, only one of them knows the slightest bit about my anorexia. Of my friends from high school, only a few are aware.

And, to this day, even my parents, sisters and closest family members don’t know about the troubles I encountered as a 17-year-old.

But, I no longer feel afraid or embarrassed to share my story with anyone. These things are a part of my past, but I’ve taken measures to make sure that they are never a part of my future.

To my friends who may be reading this, I hope you were startled by what you have read. If anything, perhaps knowing my story will help you realize that anyone you know could also be struggling with a significant malady or disorder.

Everyone has a story, and mine is no more important than yours — I just hope that in reading about my life, you find that even in your darkest hour, you can find a spark

“Today, I am the healthiest that I have ever been. I am proud of my body.” of happiness and self-love that can help change your life.

You are a product of your environment and a sum of your experiences. You have the power to make something incredible out of your life. Look for beautiful things every day, and make the most of the many opportunities you’ve been given.

If you are tired of feeling alone, or you’re struggling to overcome depression or an eating disorder, you’ve got a unique chance to make a change. Work hard and you’ll find a new appreciation for the life with which you’ve been blessed.

Know that you are not alone.

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.

Make it count.

Past the brink and back Yasmeen Sharara

W

hen it comes to body image, I think most people have a distorted perception of their own body. If I were to ask someone right now to go get some fries or a burger with me, most people would think this through; they would want to know whether or not they ate enough or worked out enough that day to justify that meal.

On a campus where everyone is so conscious about their bodies, it has gotten to the point where you can look at a girl and physically see when she has cracked under the pressure of every hard class she thought she could handle, but couldn’t.

It pains me to see a girl only eat lettuce because she is so scared to gain weight when she is only skin and bones. Perhaps that girl thinks that because she cannot control the outcome of everything in her life, she can control her weight, giving her a sense of superiority over at least one thing. When I see these girls around campus, at Yates or

“I do not know what happened, but slowly I became overinvested in how I looked.” at Leo’s, looking miserable and emaciated, it hurts because they are clearly unhappy.

For a period in my life, I was one of them.

In 11th grade, I was going through a rough patch. One of my best friends was anorexic and bulimic, and as everyone exerted themselves trying to help her, the experience ended up rubbing off on me much more than I’d expected.

I was athletic in middle school and high school, playing tennis three times a week for three hours each, swimming three times a week for an hour each time and playing volleyball two hours once a week. I used to be so proud of my body’s toned, athletic figure, but after seeing my best friend go through her own struggles, it finally started to

take a mental and physical toll on me.

I remember waking up one day and suddenly hating my body, when before it had stood as a testament to my hard work. I do not know what happened, but slowly I became overinvested in how I looked. When my grades

“All I wanted was to stop worrying about something I perceived to be so stupid and just be happy instead.” were not how I wanted them to be, I started getting harsher on myself by cutting out more and more food.

It got to the point where I shut out all my friends and pushed them away because I hated any sign of affection. I rejected my parents and little sister because I felt as though they were giving me too much love and I absolutely hated that. Looking back, the thing I regret the most is how I treated my family.

That year, I focused on only two things: my weight and my grades. Winter of 11th grade, I was progressively getting worse — I got to about 80 pounds and no longer had my period. I honestly hated everything about myself: I was always cold, everything that touched me hurt me and I was so tired of being the way I was and hating the way I looked.

I was miserable and all I wanted was to stop worrying about something I perceived to be so stupid and just be happy instead.

My parents took me to the doctor, and he said if I continued down the path I was on, I would not make it to the end of the year.

I had never seen my dad cry, but he did that day. I have always wanted to make my dad proud; he was the only person I cared about in the state that I was in and I hated myself for making him cry. That was the moment that hit me, where I knew I had to pull myself together and try to get through this terrible state of mind.

I tried so hard to start gaining

weight, but it was still hard for me to accept the fact that the number on the scale kept going up. For someone with an eating disorder, it meant failure. I pushed myself not to think that way anymore, so I started eating a lot more and talking to my friends again after having pushed them all away.

June of that year, my parents thought it would be best if they sent me to a pre-university program at Vanderbilt University for six weeks. The space was good for all of us, even though at that point we all had no idea if I would get better or worse.

My third day there, I was sitting in the computer lab working on a project, and one of the most beautiful guys I had ever seen was staring at me. I remember feeling ashamed of my gross appearance, and so my first reaction was to get up and change computers.

He followed me, which actually terrified me because I was not used to a guy talking to me at all.

He surprised me further by coming up to me and saying “Why are you doing this to yourself? You are so pretty and should smile more.”

I could never understand why he did this, but he made it his goal to help me recover during our six weeks together. We spent nearly every waking moment together and our conversations deepened, to the point where I found out that he was suicidal.

I know most people would

“‘Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’ was probably the biggest lie on the entire planet.” think that this duo of a suicidal boy and an anorexic girl was never going to make it, but together, we beat the odds. After spending two weeks with him constantly monitoring my food intake, and him sharing his own problems with me in conversations that stretched into the early morning, we not only became best friends, but we both realized that we

PROJECTHEAL

One summer brought Yasmeen Sharara (MSB ’17) back from the dangerous path she’d been on. She felt uncomfortable having her photo taken. were really happy for the first time in a while.

At that moment, I knew I had the strength to overcome my anorexia and that all I’d needed was someone who understood the feelings of wanting to recover and could give me that one last push.

Those were the six weeks that turned my life around, and we still remain best friends today.

We both applied early decision to the same school, and even though we both did not get in, we still talk every day. He tells me he is happy, and that he has never relapsed into the mindset he was in before our summer together.

As for me, I may have stumbled and fallen for a time, but just like in all the sports I’ve played, the game was not yet over — in fact, it had just begun. I now know I am strong enough to overcome the worst of situations. If I let my weight control my mind, I would miss out on so much. Life has a funny way of pushing you past your limits, only to help you realize that those limits were higher than you’d ever imagined.

Going through something like this puts everything in perspec-

tive. Things like getting your heart crushed by the guy you like become so insignificant in the grand scheme of things, because you have gone through much worse in your life and have been able to bounce back.

I am not saying that I am invincible, because I am far from that.

But I don’t cry over my small misfortunes anymore, because I believe everything happens for a reason. Honestly, it sucks when you are going through something that makes you so uncontrollably miserable, but you will come out on the other side having gained immeasurable wisdom.

I wish there was a way to tell girls that when Kate Moss said, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” that was probably the biggest lie on the entire planet. Being happy is incomparably better than being unhealthily skinny and miserable any day.

Nothing truly gets easier, but you just learn to better deal with anything thrown your way and to take your struggles in stride.

For once things are not foggy for me — having finally accepted my body, I have never felt happier or more complete.

health and wellness issue | 9

student health Examined Gianna Pisano & Michael Fiedorowicz Seeking information pertaining to eating disorders on campus, the hoya held separate interviews with Carol Day, the director of Health Education Services and member of the adjunct faculty of Health Studies and Human Science, and Mary Quigley, the staff clinical social worker and eating disorder specialist. In this combined version of those conversations, Day and Quigley share their perspectives concerning the health of Georgetown students and attempt to make others aware of how to handle similar situations.

For which kinds of body image problems and eating disorders do you see Georgetown students to be most at risk?

Mary Quigley: I think students are at risk of getting too thin; you know, being more on the restrictive side and over-exercising because they’re trying too hard to be perfect. The girls I see divide up into being on the anorexic end or the binging end. They’re binging and purging by inducing it or over-exercising. I think there’s been an increase in people with binge eating disorders.

Even though you can notice an-

orexia on campus, in reality, it’s really only one or two percent of the college population.

Carol Day: Body image is an issue for all young women, particularly college women; it is a time when they are sensitive adolescents. People try to micromanage, probably to a fault. This is a little truer of Georgetown students because they are perfectionistic, and everyone wants to be above average. That sometimes gets translated into micromanaging food and exercising.

What are the factors that bring about these issues, specifically on a college campus or Georgetown’s campus, and would you say they usually develop prior to one’s college years, or are certain students entering college more prone to these kinds of health risks?

Quigley: Certain people come in more prone to it. I see a few people --- like 10 percent --- develop it here based on competition or thinking that they’re not good enough. But the majority of people I see come in have a relapse; they had it before in high school, or they had these issues of wanting to lose weight as a

DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA

Located in back of Darnall Hall, the Counseling Center provides psychological and psychiatric services to all Georgetown students.

10 | the guide

way to control anxiety or pressures.

Day: Women are susceptible; men are increasingly susceptible, and there is a lot of celebrity admiration and media misrepresentation of people. There is some misinformation on what fitness actually is, and people with varying body types can be very physically fit if they are exercising. The research says that it develops quite young, around six to nine years old, beginning to think that they are too big and will be considered fat. There is a lot of size-ism that happens at a young age.

How does CAPS try to reach out and connect to the student body about these issues?

Quigley: We advertise an eating disorder group every semester to everyone, inviting them to join the group if they have interest. We do training for RAs every summer, and part of our roleplaying is usually with a student with an eating problem. We train them on how to be sensitive, what to say, how to approach somebody. Other than that, I think it’s by self-referral or referral by Carol Day, the nutritionist. Mostly, people selfidentify or their roommates are worried about them, and they know to go to CAPS. Day: Not associated with CAPS, but under Student Affairs, I cochair a group with Mary Quigley, a clinician in the Student Health Center, and it’s a body support group talking about image concerns and the stress of eating healthy. So, back to your question about peer support.

Next week we are getting ready to have a body image Health Hut; we are encouraging people to look beyond the pressure to be super thin.

What are the physical and social signs that someone has an eating disorder?

Quigley: With anorexia, you’ll notice when someone loses a lot of weight fast. Sometimes people lose weight drastically until you can tell. It’s hard to tell when someone’s naturally thin, but I think you can tell if you knew someone three months ago, and they’ve lost a lot of weight. You

might notice a friend talking in the hallway about food and dieting all the time. And you would see maybe patterns in what they ate --- maybe they’re only eating a salad every night. You would notice behaviors with eating, physical looks, weight loss and you probably could tell if someone is preoccupied with food.

Day: The ones that are most obvious are if you are really too low in weight --- another reason why that might be the case is if you are underweight and struggling with anorexia. Other than that, people are often struggling with another disorder, such as bulimia, throwing up after you eat, over-exercising response; those things are harder to know. You might know more because you are living with someone who eats out of control from time to time, or in an isolated fashion; it can be hard to gauge. Other people might be struggling with ongoing things, like they don’t like the way their body looks, [which is] often a sign that their happiness depends on their body image. Sometimes people eat or overeat --- the struggle is purging the food after --- and take frequent bathroom trips after that. Having food disappear from a household or noticing things like people disappearing and eating are all signs.

How does a friend approach someone they believe is dealing with an eating disorder?

Quigley: Approach a friend very carefully because people are embarrassed that they have the problem. Most people are going to be on the defensive --- you don’t want to look like you have problems.

You have to approach very gently, and say, “I’m a little worried about you; I’ve noticed you lost a lot of weight this semester; I feel like I never see you eating anymore; I noticed you’re always going to the gym.” Just be forthright. I think you describe the behaviors, or you describe the physical changes --- so you base it in facts rather than “I think you have a problem.”

Day: Typically one-on-one, “How are you doing; here is what I’ve noticed; I had a friend in high school who struggled with anorexia; You might be having a problem, do you want to talk to somebody about it?”

Quietly, gently, one-on-one voice a concern. The worst thing to do is get together as a group and have a conversation, like five-on-one.

Do you have anything to add for students about mental health, CAPS or anything else?

Quigley: I would hope people don’t feel so much stigma and that we continue, as a campus, to be more open about it and more accepting of all body types --- but we’re not really. Competition and perfectionism are issues that a lot of students face and some people may manifest it in an eating problem. A lot of people are prone to have vulnerability about being perfect, so I think addressing that issue and managing stress are good ways to include eating disorders. I think it’s similar to other problems that people have, like studying all night or having to get an A. People are really multi-talented here, and I think that’s hard --- you think everybody else is doing more than you are. I’m open to the idea of more forums about what kids face psychologically on campus. I think it goes in many directions --- it’s all under an umbrella of “I want to be the perfect person.” Everyone has something going on here. I wish that people didn’t feel so ashamed and secretive about them.

Day: Eating disorders and disturbances are pretty common and can develop because of things in someone’s past. There is no one reason, and often people will encounter things that drive them down that path. They did not choose to have an eating disorder.

It can be subtle and subclinical, but not really diagnosable. Proactively, if people are reading the article, think they might have a problem and want to talk to someone about the issue, it’s a good time to have a conversation. I am here for that; the Counseling Center is here for that --- everyone’s a health professional. If you come in and talk to someone in CAPS, it’s confidential. And no charge for the first services --- friends want to talk about someone else --- or your own issues. [There’s] no judgment --- [it’s] totally neutral, confidential and private. So what we know from research is people spend a while thinking it might be a problem before it’s enough of a problem to seek help.

TIPPING OVER THE SCALE Monika Patel

I

n all my 19 years of living, not once have I ever reached 100 pounds. In fact, I’ve never even broken 95. At five feet four inches, I stand at an average height for a girl. My body mass index has never come close to normal; I’m always classified as underweight. There’s a skirt in my closet sized at double zero petite. It’s an indisputable fact — I’m skinny, thin, slim, slender, petite.

But I am not emaciated, not malnourished, not anorexic, not bulimic. And yet, it has been assumed by many just by looking

“I have been and will always be petite — I am well aware that nothing about my build is going to change all of a sudden.” at me once or twice that I must have some kind of eating disorder. There exists a sort of stigma against naturally skinny people such as myself. The fad of fat shaming is generally more publicized than skinny shaming, but both of them have the ability to hurt equally — and neither of them are O.K. This disapproval of thinness is at best distasteful, but at worst, completely hypocritical. The media movement nowadays involves a critical rejection of the “abnormally skinny” girl physique in favor of a gorgeous, curvy woman like Marilyn Monroe. In a mass condemnation of stick-thin bodies, people declare that this is the picture of beauty worth striving for. Sometimes, they’ll even compare a photo of a busty woman side-by-side with a thin woman and conclude that the former is sexier than the latter. A voluptuous female, some would say, is a real woman.

Wait a second. What am I, then? A fake woman? Just a girl? Will I never get to be a real

woman unless I somehow gain my small size is ok, as if because curves? These are questions I I’m smaller as opposed to larger, asked myself growing up, knob- there’s no way I feel and insecure by-kneed and flat-chested, knowing that I was never going to be anything like the hourglassshaped Kate Upton or the bodacious Beyoncé. I have been and will always be petite — I am well aware that nothing about my build is going to change all of a sudden. And throughout my life, I’ve gone through sporadic periods where I was insecure about my size, believing that my figure was boyish and unfeminine.

Hardly anybody ever tells you how hard it is for a person my about my size. And that’s simply size to find clothes that fit. The not true. Anybody — big or small, fashion industry may appear to old or young, male or female — glorify thin physiques, but let can feel insecure about their size me tell you from experience, it and their appearance, especially does not do so when it comes in a society constantly warring to producing clothes for every- over the definition of beauty.

While that fact may seem obday women. Finding jeans that I could wear without a belt was vious in some instances, people considered a feat and nearly ev- who comment on my size often ery dress I wore to a high school completely overlook it.

Recently, a man asked me how dance had to be altered to fit properly. To put it simply, I felt much I weighed, just because he’d been “curious” for a while. abnormal.

By no means do I think that This feeling of being judged and the plight of those perceived pigeonholed as unhealthily skinny left me as underfeeling less weight is like a wommore severe an, as if my than that of The body mass index is a tool used post-adolesthose seen to determine your healthy weight cent body as overrange. It is calculated by dividing still needed weight. Yet, more time why is skinyour weight in pounds by your to properly ny shaming height in inches squared, and then develop. never given multiplying by a factor of 703. If I felt like a second the result is below 18.5, you are some sort thought? of a freak People have considered underweight; above 25 is of nature, no problem overweight. However, BMI does not wondering coming up factor in your age or gender, and it if everybody to me and else who exclaimcan’t tell muscle and fat mass apart. looked at ing, “Wow! me was just You are so as amazed skinny!” but nobody would say the oppo- that my tiny frame could exist at site equivalent to a curvier girl. all.

It may seem, from the experiTruthfully, I don’t think anybody could. There are not many ences and feelings I’ve shared so words meant to describe those far that I wish I could stop being that are heavier and most of the defined by my weight altogether. words that do exist — even the But to me, it’s simply not that word “heavier” — seem to have a black and white. I think there’s negative connotation. And there- an obvious distinction between someone pointing out my size fore, people avoid them.

But somehow, pointing out with respect as opposed to with-

“Anybody — big or small, old or young, male or female — can feel insecure about their size and their appearance.”

out it.

A past boyfriend of mine used to make remarks about my small physique all the time, so much so that I eventually earned the nickname “Little One.” The difference between him and the man who asked for my weight out of curiosity was the endearment and personal consideration that he put into his comments.

I eat less than the average person my age during a meal (I’m small, s o

therefore, I have a small stomach) and often, people call me out on it, berating me for not eating enough.

My boyfriend, though, had observed my eating habits over a long enough period of time to know how I functioned.

One portion size doesn’t fit all and I knew that the amount I was eating was the right amount needed for my body to feel full, healthy and energetic. He accepted my body type for what it was and never pestered me to gobble up all of

my food in one sitting. He understood.

Growing up has taught me to be less sensitive to critiques and exclamations about my weight.

I’ll be honest. At times, I’m even numb to it. But once in a while, if someone points out that I look anorexic or that my legs are just so skinny, it will nag on me sooner or later.

Maybe it won’t bother me at first, but then I’ll look in the mirror and notice the gap between my boots and my calves or the way a big sweater sort of swallows my tiny frame and wonder if maybe I look do t o o skinny.

But rather than worrying about changing the way I look, I work on figuring out how to make the best of it. Finding outfits that suit my small shape (even if that occasionally means diving into the kids’ section at Macy’s) and staying healthy are things that I spend my time on now. There are ups and downs to all sorts of different body types and we should all learn to accept the best, and seemingly the worst, parts of ourselves.

My body is my own and nobody else’s. It makes me who I am and I’ve learned to be confident about it. It’s true; I’ll never have a figure like Kim Kardashian’s. But that doesn’t mean I’m any less of a woman and so I’m proud to be the “Little One.” PHOTO: DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA

health and wellness issue | 11

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