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Shanzay Kazmi
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Recently a video created by Nash Grier titled "What Guys Look For In Girls", in which three boys listed all the things they want in a girl, has gotten a lot of negative attention. Various responses have been made by youtubes reacting to the video, which encourages body image issues and unrealistic expecations for girls to fit into. Though the origional video was taken down, you can watch a reupload here. This video is a response in slam poetry and it reminds you of the original message of loving yourself completely. -- Shanzay Kazmi
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What Are Eating Disorders?An eating disorder means exactly what it suggests — a disorderly, or abnormal way of eating. People with these mental illnesses are so preoccupied with their eating disorder and weight that they find it hard to focus on much of anything else. There are 3 main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Let’s start with anorexia, as I’m sure you’ve heard of it before. AnorexiaFrom the book Perfect Anorexia and Me by Emily Hablan: “..I need to eat with someone else so that I can measure the amount of food I serve on my plate to that of the person I am eating with. I have developed an obsession of constantly looking forward to the next meal of the day; I fall asleep thinking about what I will have for breakfast and where I might go have lunch. I have to be with my mom when she is shopping for food and planning dinner so that I can check and control exactly what is going on; on mornings when I crave an extra piece of fruit, I will allow myself only with a promise of having that much less at lunch; then at lunch I will allow myself any extra mouthful on the condition that I walk however many miles it will take to make me feel purged.” A person with anorexia tends to keep a weight that is far less than what’s normal for his/her age and height. Sufferers may starve themselves or exercise excessively. About 20% of anorexics die, making anorexia the most serious mental illness. As their weight drops, organs can shut down from a lack of energy. However, anorexia isn’t necessarily about food; limiting their food is a way of coping emotionally with one’s problems. BulimiaFrom the Fitness Magazine Article “An RD Confesses: "I Had Bulimia" by Jessica Setnick: “The remains of my dinner bobbed in the toilet basin, a floating testament to my dedication, determination, and sheer willpower. Here was proof that I could do whatever it took to be, well, perfect. But as I leaned against the wall, reality closed in around me. This was perfect? Swollen, bloodshot eyes. A throat so inflamed it was difficult to swallow. My self-esteem in tatters. Where just moments before, I'd felt relief -- pride, even -- suddenly there was only despair. Sitting there, wasted from the effort of forcing myself to vomit for the umpteenth time that week, I was tired of doing this.” Like anorexics, bulimics may starve themselves; however, they have episodes of binge eating where they eat large quantities of food and later, expel the food by vomiting. Not all bulimics are underweight, which makes the illness less hard to notice from the outside. Still, bulimia can cause severe organ damage just like anorexia. Binge EatingFrom the NY Times Article “Out of Control: A True Story of Binge Eating” by Jane E. Brody: “I began to gain weight and, of course, I periodically went on various diets to try to lose what I’d gained, only to relapse and regain all I’d lost and then some… When I found myself unable to stop eating once I’d started, I resolved not to eat during the day. Then, after work and out of sight, the bingeing began… I would spend the night eating nonstop, first something sweet, then something salty, then back to sweet, and so on. A half-gallon of ice cream was only the beginning.” People with this disorder have the same habits of bulimics in that they starve themselves and then binge eat, but they do not vomit. Contrary to popular belief, anorexics, bulimics, and binge-eaters do not choose to starve themselves and definitely do not choose to have these abnormal eating habits. Their view towards eating is distorted due to a combination of many factors including biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors. All can be treated through different methods including CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), family therapy, and much more. If you feel you identify with any of these symptoms, get help before it gets even more difficult to deal with. You are NOT your eating disorder, and it is time to get rid of the monster that is controlling you.
-- Tushita Gupta NOTE: If you're struggling with an eating disorder, we encourage you to please get help. Your friends and family will be grateful to get their loved one healthy and happy again, and your life will completely change for the better. The National Eating Disorder Association has a national helpline where extensively trained volunteers can help you by giving you advice and figuring out treatment options with you. If you yourself are not struggling with an eating disorder but you have loved ones who are, their helpline can also help you figure out ways to help them. Their number is 1(800) 931-2237. Hey everyone! We hope you are all enjoying this wonderful holiday season! We're here to officially announce our Powerful Women video contest! What we're asking is for you (whether you do it by yourself or in a get together with a group of friends!) to create a video under five minutes that addresses any one of the prompts below.
The submitted videos will be voted on through a public poll and the top two will receive a prize, with the first prize being a photo-shoot with the lovely and talented, CYW Photography (you can see some of her work here) So, it's highly suggested that once you make your video, you post it on all forms of social media so that people will watch and go vote! So why should you participate in this? First prize: Are you in need of a new profile picture or have you always wanted a professional photoshoot? Well this is your moment! Look and feel amazing with this prize! Our first prize is a mini photoshoot with the owner of CYW Photography. You get a 1-1.5 hour photoshoot with her with 2 outfit changes! You also get a complimentary 8x10 gift print! The prize is valued at $325 and if you want to learn more about CYW Photography, you can read more about her here. This is a perfect opportunity to feel like a star in a professional photoshoot, or a perfect gift to someone you love! There is no age requirement for submissions, and when you are ready to submit, go ahead and post your video to youtube and then email us the link at [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is January 31, and the poll closes about a month later, on February 28th. So just a recap, here are the criteria for your video:
Don't worry about having a super fancy video, we just want to hear your opinion and that can be done without it looking professionally edited. You could get together with a group of friends and creatively answer the prompt or just sit down in front of your camera and talk. Whether you answer the prompt with with statistics or drawings, it's as easy or hard and creative or simple as you make it, so just have fun with the prompt and share your voice! We're extremely excited to see what creative and interesting videos you come up with, happy filming! -- Alexis & Shanzay This could be you! Hello everyone! We've just created a Facebook page so that you can connect with us on there as well, so go ahead and like our page here!
Hey guys! For many of us, this is the first Monday of winter vacation. I hope you enjoy your break and have a great time relaxing and catching up with family! Happy Holidays! Below is Little Mix's new video, Little Me...enjoy the lyrics (and make sure to go check out the video here...its pretty nice!) . -- Shanzay Kazmi Exactly one year after the rape case in India that made international headlines, Whistling Woods International has created a video that turns the male gaze back on itself. The video shows four scenarios where women are partaking in their daily activities, but are subjected to the male gaze. After the men ogle the women, a reflective surface intervenes and reminds men of their pervasive gaze. -- Shanzay Kazmi Last Friday Shanzay and I were extremely fortunate to be profiled for Girl Rising's blog. Girl Rising is a film and a movement that strives for global women's education through sharing stories, which they believe can bring about change.
You can check out their blog here & read what they had to say about Shanzay and I here! --- Alexis Ajluni |