It’s hard to realize sometimes that celebrities are regular people just like the rest of us. They struggle with things like weight, exercise and self image. Jane Fonda has been in the spotlight for decades for her long acting career and having produced and starred in over 20 exercise DVDs since 1982. But Jane Fonda recently revealed to Harper’s Bazaar some of the struggles she’s dealt with in the past, like bulimia and poor body image.
Fonda spoke candidly about growing up in the 1950s and how her father influenced her body image. She said, “I was taught by my father that how I looked was all that mattered, frankly. He was a good man, and I was mad for him, but he sent messages to me that fathers should not send: Unless you look perfect, you’re not going to be loved.”
Fonda also talked about her battle with bulimia which went on for decades. “I wasn’t very happy from, I would say, puberty to 50? It took me a long time. It was in my 40s, and if you suffer from bulimia, the older you get, the worse it gets. It takes longer to recover from a bout.” Shortly after Fonda made the choice to end her battle with bulimia, she started producing and starring in her workout videos as a form of empowerment.
Eating disorders, like bulimia, can be deadly and are very destructive to your body, both mentally and physically. For those that may be unfamiliar, bulimia is the condition of engaging in out of control binging, followed by periods of trying to compensate through excessive exercise, extreme restriction of calories or even purging, which can include vomiting or taking laxatives. This type of behavior is hard on your body and treatment often requires professional help. Kudos to Jane Fonda for giving some insight into her struggles with bulimia. Hopefully her story will help others seek help.
Via Skinny vs Curvy
Also Read:
Exploring Treatment Options for Eating Disorders
How to Recognize Signs of an Eating Disorder
How to Nurture a Healthy Body Image
Jane Fonda Announces Fresh Fitness Program