I must admit I am a fan or reality tv, particularly Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise.  After years of watching the New Jersey cast I have grown to like the Manzo family and I have been privy to their weight loss efforts (both Caroline and her husband had lap-band surgery to lose weight).  I was really disappointed this season to see Caroline say really disparaging comments about their daughter, Lauren Manzo.  Essentially calling her fat and hoping she could lose weight to have a better life.  It was kind of unreal that a mother would speak like that about her child and on tv to boot.

This past week I read an article about Lauren that was featured in US Weekly.  It was so unsettling that I seriously couldn’t help but run home and blog about it right away.  Lauren not only admits to the weight “bullying” from her family, but says it doesn’t even bother her.  Her mom once said she is “8 pounds of sausage in a 5 pound bag”.  And her response is her mom has to be blunt with her to get to where she needs to be.  WOW.

The article really paints a picture of someone who is really struggling with their body image and their family does things to worsen it.  The idea that they got her the Lap-Band is supposed to be celebrated, but when she details her diet it is clear she has eating disorder behavior.  A Day in her Diet reveals she is essentially starving herself and she lists one of her foods as coffee.

I really feel for Lauren and wonder how many other beautiful and intelligent people are living in families who are “helping” them by making disparaging remarks about their weight and appearance.  And furthermore those who turn to eating disorder behavior (a slippery slope) to live out the motto “nothing tastes as good as thin feels”.

I truly hope Lauren sees this and has her own awakening.  I think she is funny and fabulous just exactly as she is.  I don’t care if she loses 30 pounds or not.  If you know of a family or friends “helping” in a similar fashion step in and say something.  Nothing tastes as good as being an activist.  Nobody should have to live on coffee just to make other people happy.

Finally Free,

Bridget Loves