SSC: Selfies and Body Image

It probably doesn’t surprise anyone when they hear that weight gain or obesity are often accompanied by self image and confidence issues.  For me it has always been a cycle of one causing the other causing the other.  The most contentious symptom of all of it is that I hate and often refuse to get my picture taken.  This issue is what the people in my life focus on the most.  I have maybe 3 pictures of my boyfriend and I together in 5 years. I hate family photos.

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In an effort to slow/stop the cycle of self-loathing leading to eating leading to more self-loathing, I have been trying to take more photos with me in them and sharing those pictures with friends and family.  This happens mostly in Snapchat because the pictures aren’t going to anyone I don’t want and they can only be viewed for a short period of time.  I’ve occasionally Instagrammed a photo of myself, but they make me nervous.

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I don’t think I’m going to become some Kim Kardashian level selfie taker, but so far I’ve gotten noticeably more comfortable with having my photo taken. I’m hoping that this little confidence boost will curb some of my emotional eating problems.  I know what I’m doing when I’m doing it.  It’s kind of like emotional turmoil that I’m indulging in, but simultaneously indulging in food.  Merica.

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This is my little attempt at healing some psychological issues, but I know the real work comes with lifestyle changes. It just seems like not a lot of people talk about working on yourself emotionally in addition to the physical stuff.  Obviously I still have a lot to change, but first let me take a #selfie.