Starving for Perfection: A Fitness at the Forest Feature

We all read the recent article on eating disorders at Wake. And we were all affected by it. And when I sat down to write my usual blog, it occurred to me that there is more to say about this disturbing issue.

Living at Wake is certainly like no other. The very things that we love so much about this place, including the academic prestige and competitive campus involvement, can be the very things that drive many of us over the edge. We, as Wake women, are some of the most intelligent and hardworking women of our generation. No matter what our background may be, there is one thing that we all seem to have in common: an intrinsic drive for success. The mistake that we often make is in our characterization of success. Perfection is NOT success. Perfection is, in fact, a fallacy construed by the societal parameters of our time.

The image of the “ideal” women is one that has been drastically altered by the hard work of radical women. We have quickly taken control of the classroom, and in effect the workforce. We should not let this success be undermined by construed images or expectations of ourselves. It is critical that as women here on campus, we do not let the pressure of perfection affect the one thing we tend to take for granted: our health.

The problem here at Wake does not seem to be the same as that which plagues most of our nation; unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, and lack of motivation. Instead, Wake Forest students seem to have become so aware of those issues that many have channeled their concerns too intensely into their own lifestyles. We see women who become so healthy it becomes counter effective. Obsessing over healthy diets (vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, low-calorie, detox, or juicing) can, in the long-term, lead to very scary health effects. While although it may be normal in our early adult years to experiment with our diets and in effect our weight, we must also realize how our selective environment and predispositions as Wake students could easily lead to a serious eating disorder.

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 Luckily, we are well informed from a young age of the consequences of disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. The misconception can easily become, however, that these are the ONLY type of eating disorders. Many women may have highly disturbed eating habits that do not so easily fit into the realm of either one of these disorders. Chronic dieting, “Orthorexia” (overly-healthy eating), “Drunkorexia” (restricting calories from food in order to drink large quantities of alcohol), stress-induced restrictions, over-exercising, and Adderall abuse are all disorders that would be considered within the realm of “Eating Disorders Otherwise Non-Specified.” They can and will in the long-term lead to the same health consequences as Anorexia or Bulimia- including malnourishment, depression, damage to the vital organs, osteoporosis, decayed gums and teeth, hair loss, loss of menstruation (and possibly sterilization), GI disturbances, fatigue, lowered immunity, and overall a life CONTROLLED by the eating disorder.

Women who have fought eating disorders describe it as a chronic battle. They often report that the disorder began as an attempt to achieve control in an aspect of their life in which they think they have lost control: grades, boys, friends, sororities, parents, jobs, etc. At first this new found control of the body may be intriguing, but it will quickly turn into an obsession. An obsession that can come to control one’s life, leading to a loss of power and priorities. Grades, friends, jobs, and passion will all suffer. This is a sacrifice we do not have to make.

Avoiding the Freshman 15? Trying to meet the expectations of your peers and their organizations? Obsessing over perfect grades and campus involvement? STARVING FOR PERFECTION? It is simply a futile, and frankly unhealthy pursuit. What we must instead strive for is a life of BALANCE. Wake Forest offers us opportunities that previous generations dreamed of. Depression, fatigue, and sickness do not classify the productive, motivated, passionate, and BEAUTIFUL woman that we are. Not only are eating disorders leading to long-term health effects for women all around us, they are impairing us as student body. We must stop comparing ourselves to each other and learn to embrace and adore the differences that we share. Our number one health goal on campus should be coming to terms with ourselves and our bodies. A healthy spirit will lead to a healthy mind and a healthy body.

If we begin to set realistic goals for ourselves (in our school work, in our bodies, and in our social lives) we will be a much happier, healthier, and unified female student body. 

*Article by Lizzy Odom