BEYOND THE FEED

In this weeks episode of Beyond The Feed, Piedmont University professor Lindsay Dilbeck shares her journey into athletic training, her history with body image issues and supplements athletes should be taking. We discussed wether or not body image issues were a natured or nurtured dilemma.

There is a lot of discussion over whether or not body image issues are a learned behavior. In last weeks episode, my mom discussed how her mom’s body image issues led to her own struggles, and how I have struggled as a result. Dilbeck, however, has had to opposite problem.

“I don’t feel like that was nurtured into me, but I still think that I have always had these concerns,” said Dilbeck.

Dilbeck grew up with a supportive family, without a history of disordered eating or body image issues. Despite the support, she still fell into her own struggles with body image.

“I think we innately have this need to want to be the best, want to the be prettiest, want to be the skinniest, want to be the smartest,” said Dilbeck. “I also think that our bodies want to feel good, and part of feeling good is looking good.”

This brings a big question: Is this a society issue? Like Dilbeck said, the desire to be the best version of ourselves outwardly has taken over the desire to feel the best on the inside. This issue seems to be driven by the massive nature of comparison in today’s society. The ability to compare ourselves at all hours of the day wether on the phone or in person, will not stop us from following fads or bickering with the mirror. It will only fuel it.

How do you combat the comparison trap?