Healthy IS a compliment

                        One strange cominality I have found with myself and many other people with eating disorders or those in recovery is that the word "healthy" is an insult to them. Most people who don't struggle with an eating disorder understand that "healthy" is something to strive for. In many aspects though, healthy is a word many people with eating disorders are afraid to hear. For them, they hear "fat" "to much" "unhealthy" eating a healthy amount becomes too much for someone with anorexia, being a healthy weight means being overweight, living a healthy lifestyle means you are failing. Most people know that those examples are the complete oposite of "healthy" but, hearing that word still brings a crushing self hate and devestation to those suffering from an eating disorder. Also, while your in recovery "healthy" is still a word that triggers many. So many people who are weight restored and doing well in recovery are told they "Look so beatiful and healthy." As many should take that as a compliment, they don't. Being told "you look so healthy" makes them feel fat, hopless, worthless, and so many other eating disordered thaughts. This isn't the way it should be though, "Healthy" is a compliment. So many of those struggling have been so malnurished, depressed, alone, and harmed for too long, and when they get help their beauty and health starts shining through again. Their skin is tanner, hair is thicker, eyes are brighter, smile is real. They are present in the moment, enjoying life, eating right, dealing with issues. To others healthy is the only way to describe the inspiring beauty coming from those in recovery. That is why it is a compliment.

 

  health·y [hel-thee] adjective, health·i·er, health·i·est. 1. possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality: a healthy body; a healthy mind. 2. pertaining to or characteristic of good health, or a sound and vigorous mind: a healthy appearance; healthy attitudes. 3. conducive to good health; healthful: healthy recreations. 4. prosperous or sound: a healthy business.