London Marathon 2024 for BEAT Eating Disorders
Paris Coulson is raising money for Beat
Story
- 73% of teenage girls become self-conscious about their physical appearance by the age of 17
- 69% of boys become self-conscious about their physical appearance by the age of 17
- 57% of young girls are self-conscious about their physical appearance
- 49% of young boys are self-conscious about their physical appearance
This universal feeling of discomfort in our bodies is becoming more prevalent than ever due to the constant use of social media, which can sometimes distort the perception of what the 'ideal' body looks like. In some cases, this compels us to compromise our food and exercise habits, which can result in what is known as an eating disorder.
Throughout a period of my life, I too struggled with this. During lockdown, I lacked control in many aspects of my life and unconsciously took ownership of my food and exercise habits to an extreme. As a result, this greatly compromised my relationships with others and myself, making this period of my life very difficult and debilitating for everyone around me.
Coming to terms with the fact that something was wrong was very hard for me. Knowing that I had the ability to turn the situation around was scary, but with the support of others, it slowly became clear that recovery was achievable. Coming out the other side, living a life that my past self would have only dreamt of, is an achievement in itself. The people I’ve met, the things I’ve achieved and experienced, all stem from the mental resilience I've acquired during these challenging times, and I'm determined to help young boys and girls gain these crucial life skills without needing to face these hurdles.
With this phase of my life now in the past, I'm determined to complete this marathon and dedicate it to all the boys and girls who've either endured or are currently navigating a journey like mine. For them to see and understand that embracing a healthy, nourished, and balanced life can pave the way for completing a 42km marathon and choosing to seek help or make a change now.
BEAT is a UK-based charity that focuses on supporting individuals affected by eating disorders and providing information, resources, and assistance to both sufferers and their loved ones. The organization offers helplines, online support groups, and educational materials to raise awareness about eating disorders, promote understanding, and offer guidance for seeking help and recovery. BEAT also works to influence policy changes and improve the way eating disorders are perceived and treated in society.
This is just the beginning of the impact I aim to create for the current state of eating disorder awareness and assistance for those struggling and their families. Your contributions mean so much to me, and I'm so thankful for your support.
Love,
Paris xxx