tag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:/blogs/realize-your-beauty-blog?p=74Realize Your Beauty Blog2023-11-28T12:54:30-05:00Realize Your Beautyfalsetag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/73104362023-11-28T12:54:30-05:002023-11-28T12:54:30-05:00Call to Action: Support Youth Self-Esteem this Giving Tuesday!<p>We're counting on you to help us bring plays, workshops & camps to youth to promote self-esteem, body positivity, and eating disorder awareness.<br><br><strong>Donation link </strong><a class="no-pjax" href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/realize-your-beauty/giving-tuesday-fundraising-drive" data-link-type="url"><strong>HERE</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>We are currently raising funds to both meet our monthly expenses and to build our in-school programs as we go into 2024. Funds will also go towards a continuing effort to support our summer sleepaway camp.</p><p>Recently, we were honored to have our camp <strong>featured in the NY Times. </strong><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/theater/body-positivity-theater-camp.html?unlocked_article_code=&smid=url-share"><u>Link here.</u></a> <br><br><span>Please consider a donation today in support of our programs! </span></p><p><span>Thank you for your support!</span></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/72520672023-08-04T14:22:31-04:002023-10-16T10:44:31-04:00Help us raise funds for Summer Camp!<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/realize-your-beauty/support-youth-self-esteem-summer-sleepaway-camp" data-link-type="url">Fundraising link found HERE.</a></p><p>Camp Realize Your Beauty is in need of your support! This year, due to an unprecedented number of scholarship requests, as well as rising operating costs, we are in urgent need of funding to meet our costs for this summer's camp, as well as to secure the deposit for 2024's camp.</p><p>Located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Camp RYB offers a unique summer theatre camp experience. Theatre classes & traditional camp activities- such as campfire circles, archery, and nature walks- are combined with empowerment workshops designed to build self-esteem and life skills, including mindfulness, anti-bullying, confidence, and positive body image.</p><p>Please consider making a tax deductible donation today via our<a class="no-pjax" href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/realize-your-beauty/support-youth-self-esteem-summer-sleepaway-camp" data-link-type="url"> fundraising link found HERE.</a></p><p style="text-align:center;">Thank you for supporting our programs!</p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/8916/2f8eb2c4eb5d64cc20c565854bd6f5910181cce6/original/dsc03264-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/71377902023-01-13T19:34:25-05:002023-01-13T19:34:25-05:00To the Members of the Academy of Pediatrics<p>As a member of the Collaborative of Eating Disorders Organizations (CEDO), Realize Your Beauty strongly opposes the new clinical guidelines introduced by the American Academy of Pediatrics. We do not support intentional weight loss in children via the methods included in the guidelines, especially the recommendation of bariatric surgery and pharmaceutical products for children. </p>
<p>The AAP’s guidelines for childhood “obesity” are harmful, may increase or exacerbate eating disorders or disordered eating, significantly contribute to medical weight stigma and fat phobia, and are not in the best interest of children. We strongly ask the AAP to please reconsider the guidelines, and engage with the eating disorders community to reduce the potential for harm to children. </p>
<p>To read the entire letter, please visit <a contents="www.eatingdisorderscollaborative.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.eatingdisorderscollaborative.org" target="_blank">www.eatingdisorderscollaborative.org</a></p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/21916dfefe0cf0a1239a9e94ce5c968808fe3d1a/original/aap-statement-8.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" />E</p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/71129912022-11-29T11:44:49-05:002022-12-05T01:32:27-05:00Giving Tuesday!<p>On this Giving Tuesday, please consider making a donation to support Realize Your Beauty as we revitalize and reimagine our programs to meet the pressing mental health needs of young people across the country. </p>
<p>Realize Your Beauty is almost entirely volunteer run, and with more than 2,200 volunteer hours per year, we are hard at work to promote self-esteem, positive body image, and eating disorder awareness to youth through theatre arts. </p>
<p>Make a tax-deductible donation today and help us to empower young men and women!<br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="DONATION LINK HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/realize-your-beauty/support-youth-self-esteem-arts" target="_blank"><strong>DONATION LINK HERE</strong></a><br> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/211a2970b009ef5aff40b147fd1fd2bdc7d2c37a/original/dsc02573.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/70755592022-10-06T07:33:07-04:002022-10-06T07:33:08-04:00Thank you, See Beautiful!!<p>We are very proud to announce we are the recipients of a $500 Grant Award from the incredible philanthropic company <a contents="See Beautiful" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.seebeautiful.com/index.html">See Beautiful</a>!</p>
<p>See Beautiful has supported our mission from the very beginning and we are so very grateful. The funds will be used to sustain our operating costs, which is incredibly helpful.<br><br>If you would like to support their company, please consider making a purchase of one of the beautiful items from their website: <a contents="SHOP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://seebeautiful.com/shop.html" target="_blank">SHOP</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THANK YOU See Beautiful!!</strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/7e486b6e62ba093c418ab903a47bb8488609e50f/original/243452335-231636425653208-5138414097036963477-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">*Image courtesy of See Beautiful's website</p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/70729212022-10-02T08:57:51-04:002022-10-02T08:57:51-04:00Update from RYB Ambassador, Clara Nascimento!<p>Hello My name is Clara Nascimento. I was crowned as a Miss Kingston Outstanding Teen in June 2022. I'm really excited to start my school year as a senior and also expand my platform every body is a beautiful body. I truly believe that everybody deserves to be loved and supported by our society and by others in terms of their body type!I am so exited to work with Realize Your Beauty to fundraise and bring awareness to body image issues!</p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/c9ce07ad78b05f6e0f33576575e5271d90bba3e9/original/290065166-541809594287590-4783653110583191095-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/68965302022-02-13T10:28:34-05:002022-02-13T10:28:34-05:00Welcome RYB Ambassador Clara Nascimento!<p>We are thrilled to welcome <a contents="Clara Nascimento" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/misslibertysotnh/" target="_blank">Clara Nascimento</a> as Realize Your Beauty's newest Ambassador! </p>
<p>Clara is a High School Junior from Nashua NH and is Miss Liberty’s Outstanding Teen within the New Hampshire’s Scholarship Program. </p>
<p>Her passion is to educate, inspire and remind children and adults through body positivity that they can and should love themselves. </p>
<p>She is honored to be joining Realize Your Beauty as an Ambassador and looks forward to working with children to love their bodies.</p>
<p>To find out more about Clara, please follow her Instagram page <a contents="here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/misslibertysotnh/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/64893442020-12-01T12:50:44-05:002021-05-23T09:59:09-04:00Annual Fundraiser - 2020<p>What a year this has been for all of us. With schools remote, summer camps cancelled, and youth groups on hold or meeting virtually, we, along with many other youth non-profits, have had to rethink our programs and our outreach. But one thing is for sure: youth outreach programs are needed now more than ever.</p>
<p>Feelings of isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression are rising in young people. We are hard at work behind the scenes redesigning our programs to meet students where they're at now, both physically and mentally. We know a lot of people are struggling financially this year, but if you would like to include Realize Your Beauty in with your yearly donations, we'd be so grateful. We look forward to launching our new program series in early 2021, and any support is welcome!</p>
<p><strong>To donate to our current campaign, please <a contents="follow this LINK" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/realize-your-beauty/support-youth-outreach-programs-ryb-annual-fundraiser-2020" target="_blank">follow this LINK</a>.</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="LdRZCD6pfFE" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/LdRZCD6pfFE/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LdRZCD6pfFE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/63067942020-05-06T13:23:53-04:002020-09-07T03:28:21-04:00Diets Are Canceled!! #NoDietDay<p style="text-align: center;">May 6th marks the NEDA Network’s second national #NoDietDay social media campaign to encourage the rejection of diet culture! This movement promotes fighting back against the shame associated with society's standards of beauty and respect for all body shapes and sizes.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We invite you to join us in promoting healthy relationships with food, movement, and body image!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Take the pledge and find out more <a contents="HERE!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/no-diet-day">HERE!</a></strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/88b776c48d1f82312fe814079ea31e8d6d150532/original/11.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/0aca6f2764a4ab9dc435d2a4eca321ba7bd4bd73/original/no-diet-day-infographic.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/60667722020-01-07T21:55:34-05:002020-01-07T21:57:28-05:00RYB Founder Featured on ATTN: video series, hosted by Ashley Graham!<p style="text-align: center;">We're very proud to have Realize Your Beauty's Founder featured on ATTN: Media's new video series- 'Secret Messages with Ashley Graham'.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Please follow <a contents="this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/attn/videos/2401314556790132/?v=2401314556790132">this link</a> to ATTN:'s Facebook page to watch!</p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/7963b83d45a4c02ef42e8327b5f34c27200cb395/original/attn-media-ryb.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/59986482019-12-27T21:43:06-05:002020-07-10T05:21:11-04:00Camp Realize Your Beauty - Summer 2020<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><strong>We're already planning for Camp Realize Your Beauty 2020! </strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Applications to be released in Mid-January 2020, with special early bird pricing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Dates & Location below:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">July 19th-24th, 2020 ~ YMCA of the Rockies ~ Estes Park, CO </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Girls, Ages 10-15yrs <br>Jr. Counselors, 16-18yrs</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Your camper will learn acting, play writing & directing skills, <br>with a special emphasis placed on developing a positive sense of self! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Topics addressed at Camp RYB: Self-Esteem ~ Kindness (towards self & others) ~ Anti-Bullying</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Please visit our camp page to learn more: <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="Summer Camp!" data-link-type="page" href="/summer-camp">HERE</a></strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/211a2970b009ef5aff40b147fd1fd2bdc7d2c37a/original/dsc02573.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
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<p> </p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/54280372018-09-13T22:46:53-04:002019-10-08T21:37:39-04:00Cyber Bullying Is Never Okay<p>At our summer camp, we talk to the campers about bullying and practice ways they can deal with the situation should it arise. Bullying is a very real and serious issue, and cyber bullying can be especially difficult to handle. We try to teach the kids to have empathy for the bully- that often the bully is dealing with many serious issues that cause them to lash out. And while finding empathy can help us to deal with our anger and hurt, it doesn't excuse the behavior. We teach them that it is never, ever acceptable to be abused or bullied by another person, and it is never acceptable to treat someone else that way. </p>
<p>There are many forms cyber bullying can take- including posting mean, hurtful or embarrassing rumors of someone online, creating a mean or hurtful webpage about someone, pretending to be someone else in order to solicit information, and threatening to hurt someone or encouraging them to hurt themselves. All of these forms of cyber bullying are cruel, unacceptable, and must not be tolerated. </p>
<p>If you are the victim of this kind of abuse - don't keep it to yourself. Tell others- tell your friends, parents, mentors and if it feels appropriate, the police. Actions have consequences, and you have a right to protect yourself. </p>
<p>If you need support, please use these links for more info: </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyber…/how-to-report/index.html&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyber%E2%80%A6/how-to-report/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyber…/how-to-report/index.html </span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="https://cyberbullying.org/&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cyberbullying.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">https://cyberbullying.org/ </span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10257" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10257" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10257</span></a><span style="color:#8e44ad;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="https://www.amightygirl.com/the-bullying-workbook-for-teens&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amightygirl.com/the-bullying-workbook-for-teens"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">https://www.amightygirl.com/the-bullying-workbook-for-teens </span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="https://www.mirrorimagearts.org/bullying-prevention/ (Mirror Image Arts)&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mirrorimagearts.org/bullying-prevention/%20(Mirror%20Image%20Arts)" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">https://www.mirrorimagearts.org/bullying-prevention/ (Mirror Image Arts) </span></a></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/53517782018-07-18T10:44:37-04:002018-09-09T02:42:59-04:00See Beautiful Grant Finalist!<p style="text-align: center;">We're so very excited to announce that Realize Your Beauty is a <strong><a contents="See Beautiful" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://seebeautiful.com" target="_blank">See Beautiful</a> </strong>Grant Finalist!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">What an honor to be featured along side such amazing organizations as: <a contents="Every Woman Works, Inc." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://everywomanworks.org/" target="_blank">Every Woman Works, Inc.</a>, <a contents="Empowered Readers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.empoweredreaders.org/" target="_blank">Empowered Readers</a>, <a contents="Friends To The Forlorn Pitbull Rescue" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.friendstotheforlorn.org/" target="_blank">Friends To The Forlorn Pitbull Rescue</a>, <a contents="Paint Love" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.gopaintlove.org/" target="_blank">Paint Love</a>, <a contents="Diversify Dietetics" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.diversifydietetics.org/" target="_blank">Diversify Dietetics</a>, <a contents="For Life, Inc." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://forlifeinc.org/" target="_blank">For Life, Inc.</a>, <a contents="Aidan Cares" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.aidancares.org/" target="_blank">Aidan Cares</a>,<a contents="&nbsp;LOTUS Legal Clinic&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.lotuslegal.org/" target="_blank"> LOTUS Legal Clinic,</a> <a contents="Foster Care Alliance" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://fostercarealliance.org/" target="_blank">Foster Care Alliance</a>, <a contents="Grow Restored" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.growrestored.org/" target="_blank">Grow Restored</a>, <a contents="Puppy Prodigies" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.puppyprodigies.org/" target="_blank">Puppy Prodigies</a>, <a contents="Love Not Lost" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lovenotlost.org/" target="_blank">Love Not Lost</a>, <a contents="Georgia Steppers League" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://georgiasteppersleague.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e44ad;">Georgia Steppers League</span></a>, YFC Maine, <a contents="The Peaceful Project" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.yourinfinitelifeonline.com/peaceful_project" target="_blank">The Peaceful Project</a>, and<a contents=" Care for AIDS" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.careforaids.org/" target="_blank"> Care for AIDS</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">See Beautiful is a wonderful company working hard to create beauty in this world. Please take a moment to check out their site!! <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://seebeautiful.com" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Please also take a moment to read our blog feature on their site: <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://seebeautiful.com/blog/grant-applicant-realize-your-beauty" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a></p>
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<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/125ebea698f166ce85c654c7aa85d800431d71ca/original/see-beautiful-image.png" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></strong></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/52725832018-06-02T23:50:59-04:002018-06-02T23:51:33-04:00In Memoriam ~ We Honor Board Member Georgia Michalec<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font_regular">In Memoriam </span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font_regular">______________________ </span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font_regular">Georgia Michalec </span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that our friend and long time board member, Georgia Michalec, has passed away after a long illness. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">Georgia was the Board Treasurer for Realize Your Beauty, and in her time with the organization, she organized several large events in Stafford, CT, including Realize Your Beauty Day events for community youth (an evening of arts, activities and celebration), and a large scale fundraiser in support of our programs. Georgia had a passion for supporting young people to build a positive sense of self-worth and self-love. We will greatly miss her contributions and friendship. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">In her honor, the family has generously asked that donations be given to support a summer camp scholarship fund in her name. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">If you would like to contribute to the Georgia Michalec Scholarship Fund, please follow this<strong> <a contents="LINK" data-link-label="memorial" data-link-type="page" href="/memorial" target="_self">LINK</a></strong>.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>More about Georgia </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Georgia Michalec was a psychotherapist, art gallery owner and advocate for the arts. She traveled her own path to self-acceptance, from being bullied as a fat child, to dieting and finally to advocating for the right to take up space. As a psychotherapist, she was a proponent for self-acceptance in her individual work and offered for woman several size acceptance groups and a long standing self-awareness and support group. As a consumer of healthcare, she has been vocal about size acceptance to medical professionals. On the artistic side, she coordinated several RYB events, organized a blues festival and produced and directed a number of community theatre events, all in Stafford Springs, CT. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Article on Stafford Springs RYB Day event here: <strong><a contents="Hartford Courant" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.courant.com/community/stafford/hc-sr-stafford-realize-your-beauty-0428-20160425-story.html" target="_blank">Hartford Courant</a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">For photos of RYB Community Events Organized by Georgia, follow this <strong><a contents="LINK" data-link-label="memorial" data-link-type="page" href="/memorial" target="_self">LINK</a></strong>.</p>
<hr><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/cf05bb5a21a7eade57ef6741dcc3f6962304a84b/original/001.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/51874982018-04-17T21:43:01-04:002018-04-21T02:03:13-04:00RYB Founder Interviewed for Washington Post: Plastic Surgery App Petition<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-regular">Our Founder & Executive Director, <a contents="Stacey Lorin Merkl" data-link-label="Who We Are" data-link-type="page" href="/who-we-are" target="_blank">Stacey Lorin Merkl</a>, was interviewed for this article by the <a contents="Washington Post" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/04/16/controversial-apps-for-kids-make-cosmetic-surgery-into-a-game/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.92a7eb4a88c3" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>. The interview was regarding the work <a contents="Endangered Bodies International" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.endangeredbodies.org/" target="_blank">Endangered Bodies International</a> is doing to remove these damaging plastic surgery apps designed for children. As a member of <a contents="Endangered Bodies NYC" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/EndangeredBodiesNYC" target="_blank">Endangered Bodies NYC</a>, she's working alongside 8 International Chapters that have been petitioning Google, Amazon and Apple to put more restrictions on these apps. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-regular">We're hoping the article will get the word out about the petition, and help open a dialogue to create guidelines on these dangerous apps. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font-regular">If you'd like to sign the petition, link <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.change.org/p/apple-stop-cosmetic-surgery-apps-aimed-at-kids-surgeryisnotagame-2" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Washington Post Article <a contents=" HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/04/16/controversial-apps-for-kids-make-cosmetic-surgery-into-a-game/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.92a7eb4a88c3" target="_blank">HERE</a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">UPDATE:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">After the Washington Post article came out, the story was picked up! Links below to press:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="The Today Show" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.today.com/video/plastic-surgery-games-for-children-spur-backlash-online-1212690499770" target="_blank"><span style="color:#9b59b6;"><strong>The Today Show</strong></span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="PIX11 News" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://pix11.com/2018/04/18/growing-concerns-over-disturbing-plastic-surgery-apps-geared-toward-children/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#9b59b6;"><strong>PIX11 News</strong></span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="CBS News" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/controversial-apps-accused-of-marketing-plastic-surgery-to-kids/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#9b59b6;"><strong>CBS News</strong></span></a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/37371e2d293626a63d590d040ac3400ae0717a7b/original/wash-post.gif" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/51289212018-03-14T21:28:57-04:002018-03-14T21:28:58-04:00Collaboration with Mt. Vernon Youth Bureau!<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Collaboration with Mt. Vernon Youth Bureau!</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We are very pleased to be running a series of 12-workshops for Spring Semester with the GEM (Girls Embracing Maturity) Program in Mt. Vernon, NY.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We're so looking forward to working with the GEMs!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/f2b3f2afe87f73322e2d0bd59a4b44f071a1b04c/original/249.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/50727612018-02-10T11:10:54-05:002018-02-10T11:10:55-05:00Announcing a Weight Watchers "Twitter-Takeover"! Are you in??<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>CALL TO ACTION!</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">As many of you have seen, this past week Weight Watchers announced their plans for growth to reach 10 Million members and grow $2 Billion dollars in revenue. Along with this plan? Offering free memberships to teenagers (ages 13-17) this upcoming summer. We believe that we as professionals and advocates for eating disorders, body positivity, Health at Every Size & the anti-diet movement - we can and MUST shed a light on why this is so problematic! Join us for a Twitter Takeover TODAY at 12pm EST. Get all the details here:<strong> <a contents="BALANCE - WW Twitter Takeover" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://balancedtx.com/blog/2018/2/8/weight-watchers-twitter-takeover-are-you-in" target="_blank">BALANCE - WW Twitter Takeover</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://balancedtx.com/blog/2018/2/8/weight-watchers-twitter-takeover-are-you-in" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/444af7599f86dae3aad4b39e59c62578cb183063/original/wakeupweightwatcher-instagram.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/50598482018-02-03T13:58:46-05:002021-01-24T08:36:47-05:00Camp Realize Your Beauty: Registration Now Open!<p><a contents="" data-link-label="Summer Camp!" data-link-type="page" href="/summer-camp"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/8e6b8a8dca8ba16d33d052e3b2853e02fc730a34/original/camp-ryb-2018-applications-open.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/50112812018-01-07T13:59:42-05:002018-01-07T14:01:37-05:00Special Colorado Fundraiser: Chipolte!<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Colorado friends:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Please join us at the Arvada Chipotle on 53rd/Wadsworth, TODAY, Sunday- January 7th from 4-8pm for a Fundraiser!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Show this flyer when you check out, and 50% (!!!) of the proceeds will help benefit our programs!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>**Keep the poster handy on your phone- remember to show this flyer when you check out!**</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thank you!</strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/3636977f0b5c8672b47b075d894b6781c31b9da4/original/chipolte-fundraiser-jan-7th.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/49521752017-11-28T09:38:49-05:002017-11-28T09:51:11-05:00Please Support Realize Your Beauty on Giving Tuesday<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/a59846a4469ef6e415d4030ccd747100d9506872/large/ryb-general-header.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/8bc7b12a4604cd2ff96194f676a211ac11451f72/large/gt-logo2013-final-copy-small.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/4c60a3d103b7134fffbc672c61819c35e1217168/original/mt-vernon-7-13-13-b.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>On this dedicated day of giving, we invite you to support us as we inspire young people to feel positive & confident in themselves! </strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>By supporting Realize Your Beauty, you will be making an impact in the lives of hundreds of students per year who take part in our school programs, special events and summer camps! </strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Make your tax-deductible gift today and share your passion for empowering youth!</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl"><a contents='&lt;<support us="" ~="" click="" here="">&gt;</support>' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/self-esteem-programs-for-youth-realize-your-beautys-annual-fundraiser-2017" target="_blank"><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><span style="font-size: 16.8px;"><b><<SUPPORT US ~ CLICK HERE>></b></span></span></a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">To mail a check- please make donations payable to: </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Realize Your Beauty, Inc. and mail to: <br>601 W 26th St., Suite 325-101, New York, NY 10001</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">_____________________________________________________________</span></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/49498102017-11-26T21:30:10-05:002022-05-22T14:42:49-04:00Special Announcement - New Advisory Board Member - Christy Reeves<p style="text-align: center;">Realize Your Beauty has very exciting news to share! The wonderfully passionate, fiercely intelligent, generous, creative and kind, Christy Oliver Reeves, CEO of <a contents="I AM THAT GIRL" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.iamthatgirl.com/" target="_blank">I AM THAT GIRL</a>, has joined our Advisory Board. We feel very lucky indeed.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Welcome, Christy!!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/2a0aacbbbce3423eae9df1670cbaa25ab61f9050/original/board-advisor-announcement-christy.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/48950972017-10-17T11:45:54-04:002017-10-17T11:45:54-04:00Happy Body Confidence Day!<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Happy Body Confidence Day</strong></span>!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">We're SO excited to celebrate today with The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)'s Twitter Chat!<br>Realize Your Beauty will be a panelist in today's discussion, alongside Iskra Lawrence, Matthew Koma and others.<br><br><strong>TODAY on Twitter (10/17/17) 2-3PM EST- use #NEDAchat</strong>.<br>We'll be discussing body positivity, diverse role models, and self-care techniques.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Please join us!!</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/3c42e0516ba918bc2410726bac36d550548a498f/original/tweetchat-bodypositiveday.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/47612492017-06-29T12:02:56-04:002020-01-20T03:00:13-05:00Girl Scouts Lead the Way for Body Positivity and Acceptance!<p>The Girl Scouts just released a guide on how to address body image and fat shaming with your children and we're really happy to share! Lots of great advice in this article. We commend the Girl Scouts for taking on this topic so positively! Overall great article and we recommend for parents, teachers and mentors.</p>
<p>One highlight includes:</p>
<p>"Make sure she has positive body-image role models. Both the red carpet and the boardroom are becoming more diverse in terms of body size and shape, but girls might not see that reflected in the magazine aisle or on her favorite websites—so go the extra mile to compensate for some of the less-healthy messages your daughter may be getting from other sources. For younger girls, it might be helpful to show her some beautiful images of a women with very different body types, and tell her all about what they’ve accomplished, and what they’re best known for—their brains, their talents, their speed, their sense of humor. She needs to know you don’t have to be a certain size or shape to make it big in life. </p>
<p>Sadly, there’s no instant fix to society’s fat-shaming problem and the limiting depictions of beauty that are held up as standards for girls and women. But there are things you can do at home with your daughter, and in your daily life in general, to help fight against this culture and create a better one where all are celebrated as wonderful and worthy."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong><a contents="Link to Article HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.girlscouts.org/en/raising-girls/happy-and-healthy/happy/body-image-daughter-says-she-is-fat.html" target="_blank">Link to Article HERE</a></strong></span></p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/489bafb21ecfcc0221c935f881069df4e539b5d4/original/gsbridge-tattoo.jpg?1381297762" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/47574672017-06-26T10:57:49-04:002017-06-26T10:59:23-04:00RYB Summer Self Care Guide in 8 steps! By Catherine Weingarten<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/804ae06774e38eb49a9d23a8497cfea3f993721b/large/pedro-lastra-124720.jpg?1498487896" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>This spring I finished my MFA in playwriting, so have been thinking a lot about “Self-care” and how you close one door and open another. How can you be ambitious and move on to your next step while also honoring that you’re a person who just finished something that was a lot of effort! At my writing program I focused so hard on deadlines and writing banging plays, that a lot of times self-care had to come second and that’s why the summer is a great opportunity to reconnect to myself and slow downnn. </p>
<p>I’m a super ambitious chick, so sometimes I try to forget self-care is a thing and just move on too quickly. But in these steps below I’m gunna write out some summer self-care tips that I’ve done and wanna try, and hope they will help you have some self-care friendly fun this summer! </p>
<p>1. <em><strong>Get out to nature or something nature like! </strong></em>Spending time outdoors helps remind you how you're part of something bigger. It’ll make the small things melt away into randomness. Bonus points: Go to a beach for a day and hang out with a cute starfish like the one pictured above! </p>
<p>2.<strong><em> Turn off dat phone! </em></strong>Have a badger eat it! Let a friend steal it for a day! We are all way too connected to technology and the constant stream of news and updates can increase anxiety and depression. What I like to do is just take parts of the day that are technology free and focus on reading or hanging with a friend. </p>
<p>3. <em><strong>Go on a food scavenge!</strong></em> I am such a foodie and since I live in NY this is a bit of an easy one for me cause there’s always weird unicorn bakeries or chai ice-cream places that open every day. As someone who has struggled with body image in the past, being able to try new things and make an adventure out of it is really good for me! Let food become something more than just a thing to help you lose or maintain weight. My friend Maddie and I recently found donuts that looked like roses! How romantic is thattt! (if you’re in NY, you can find them at Doughnut Plant) </p>
<p>4. <strong><em>Pamper yourselffff! </em></strong>If you are a princess or something cool like that you can probably go to a spa for a week and really go all out. But for us normal people, you can totes pamper yourself on a budget! I like to use some bubbles or a lush bath bomb or maybe some healing bath salts, to get my bath going! A nice, relaxing bath can really help you slow down and relax. Other fun pampering activities include massage, facial, getting your nails done etc. I have legit taken so many baths since graduating school, it’s a little embarrassing! </p>
<p>5. <em><strong>Try to calm down the multi-tasking! </strong></em>When you are constantly doing 10 things at once, you can’t really give your full focus to anything and it shortens your attention span. Also doing one thing at a time really helps you give your all to it and helps you be in the moment. </p>
<p>6. <strong><em>Move a little! </em></strong>For the first time in my life I have actually started to like working out! I think it’s because finally I am doing it for me and not focused on calories. I like to workout because it makes me feel good and I know it gets my body more ready to do the things I want it to do. Remember to work out, you don’t need to do intense workout classes that freak you out, you can just take a nice walk or do a little treadmill. The most important thing though is if it's something that helps you get PUMPED up! </p>
<p>7. <em><strong>Be an Artist!</strong></em> <em><strong>Or at least make some Art! </strong></em>Doing art work is a way to connect with how you're feeling, without having to talk! If you're struggling with something, a lot of times it’s easier to write about it or paint about it than be able to understand it in a rational way. Try something totally new this summer! Be an art hobbyist! </p>
<p>8. <strong><em>DO Something Trashy! </em></strong>Binge on your Netflix, go see some 7th graders do Improv, go to a high school reunion and don’t go in-just watch from a window! Get in touch with yourself and really make sure you're following your cravings and having some fun, mindless activity time along with the things above. </p>
<p>Have a good summer everyone!! And remember <em>every body is a beach body</em> and you rock! </p>
<p>xo </p>
<p>Catherine</p>
<p>Blog post written by Contributor and Resident Playwright <a contents="Catherine Weingarten" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.catherineplaywright.ninja/" target="_blank">Catherine Weingarten</a>.</p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/47165872017-05-20T15:15:18-04:002017-05-20T15:16:10-04:00Benefit Concert for RYB!<p style="text-align: center;">Tonight! May 20th, 8pm: Concert Benefiting Realize Your Beauty at Ethical Brew in Teaneck, NJ. This is one of the best venues in New Jersey, and it's sure to be a wonderful evening of music. Our Founder/Executive Director will be making a short presentation before the show, and will also be performing with the band! Headline artist will be <a contents="Rupert Wates" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://rupertwatesmusic.com/" target="_blank">Rupert Wates</a> with special guest Jeremy Aaron Music.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="Click HERE for more info &amp; Tickets!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://ethicalbrew.org/shows.php?id=24" target="_blank">Click HERE for more info & Tickets!</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://ethicalbrew.org/shows.php?id=24" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/e109dcf6f6e87f6e75a3192a50cca2159a74dbfe/original/ethical-brew-flyer-ryb.png?1495307669" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/46310222017-03-15T13:40:46-04:002022-01-12T06:18:20-05:00Call to Action - Sign Petition Today!: Book Teaches Young Children Body-Shame<p>A new children's book has been released, the content of which is extremely disturbing. "Don't Call Me Fat: A First Look at Being Overweight", by Pat Thomas is a book that is geared towards children ages 4-8. This book is presented in a way that teaches body-shame and body-hatred to kids. It reinforces harmful stereotypes about individuals in larger bodies and perpetuates weight-stigma.<br><br>It's vital that we approach these topics with children in a responsible way. Teaching young children body-shame and body-hatred is a very dangerous path towards disordered eating and developing unhealthy relationships with their body that could last a lifetime. We should be protecting our youth from 'diet-culture'- teaching them instead to love and care for themselves from a place of kindness and teaching them how to listen to their bodies. The approach this book takes is irresponsible and dangerous. It should not be in circulation.<br><br>Please consider signing/sharing the petition to have this book removed from Barnes & Noble stores, and to make the publishers aware of the damage this type of book can cause to young people.<br><br><a contents="Sign the petition today: HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.change.org/p/book-teaches-children-to-hate-their-bodies" target="_blank"><span class="font_large">Sign the petition today: HERE</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/f4827a21c349b8a84a9bb583bd738cc9e16c6e86/original/dont-call-me-fat-book-cover.jpg?1489600203" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/46200702017-03-07T12:49:08-05:002017-03-07T12:50:19-05:00RYB Featured in PSA for NEDAW<div>
<span class="font_regular">RYB is so incredibly proud to have been featured in <a contents="NEDA's" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">NEDA's</a> Recovery Heroes campaign for <a contents="National Eating Disorder Awareness Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nedawareness.org/" target="_blank">National Eating Disorder Awareness Week</a>! Founder & Executive Director of Realize Your Beauty, Stacey Lorin Merkl, was featured in the videos below, as part of their campaign for NEDAW. Find out more about the campaign here: </span><a contents="Recovery Heroes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nedawareness.org/recovery-heroes" target="_blank"><span class="font_regular">Recovery Heroes</span></a><br> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="wIrFrfXZqvA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/wIrFrfXZqvA/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wIrFrfXZqvA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ASu6qMy4-LU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ASu6qMy4-LU/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASu6qMy4-LU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/45969242017-02-18T12:58:35-05:002017-02-18T12:58:35-05:00National Eating Disorders Awareness Week!<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Realize Your Beauty is thrilled to be partnering with the <br>National Eating Disorders Association for this year's Awareness Week (NEDAW)<br>Feb. 24th-March 4th<br><br><span style="color:#008080;"><em>We are very honored to have been interviewed for this important PSA:</em></span><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ASu6qMy4-LU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ASu6qMy4-LU/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASu6qMy4-LU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></strong></span><br> </p>
<p>The goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) is to promote public and media attention to the seriousness of eating disorders and improve education about the biological underpinnings, environmental triggers, warning signs and how to help those struggling. Education and direction to resources can lead to earlier detection, intervention, and help seeking, ultimately improving likelihood of full recovery. </p>
<p>This year's theme is <em>It's Time to Talk About It. From <a contents="NEDAW's website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nedawareness.org/" target="_blank">NEDAW's website</a>:</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">"Spearheaded by the National Eating Disorders Association, the goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness (#NEDAwareness) Week is to shine the spotlight on eating disorders and put life-saving resources into the hands of those in need. This year’s theme is It’s Time to Talk About It and we’re encouraging everyone to get screened. </p>
<p>It’s time we take eating disorders seriously as public health concerns. It’s time we bust the myths and get the facts. It’s time to celebrate recovery and the heroes who make it possible. It’s time to take action and fight for change. It’s time to shatter the stigma and increase access to care. It’s Time to Talk About It!"</p>
<p>To find ways to get involved and for more information, check out: <a contents="http://nedawareness.org/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nedawareness.org/" target="_blank">http://nedawareness.org/</a> </p>
<p>To take a screening, follow this link: <a contents="http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/NEDA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/NEDA" target="_blank">http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/NEDA</a><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nedawareness.org/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/c61ef0abb1a1e572445f704de2287a645d6be3f3/original/coverphoto.jpg?1487440630" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br> </p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/45080582016-12-12T21:25:24-05:002016-12-12T21:25:25-05:00Holiday Twitter Chats!This year Realize Your Beauty is proud to be Co-Hosting two Holiday Twitter Chats! Topics for both will cover how to stay healthy and safe during the holiday season, which can be filled with triggers for those in recovery or currently struggling with ED. First up we have the <a contents="National Eating Disorder Association's " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/NEDAstaff" target="_blank">National Eating Disorder Association's </a>Holiday #NEDAchat, followed by <a contents="Balance Eating Disorder Treatment Center's" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/BALANCEedtc" target="_blank">Balance Eating Disorder Treatment Center's</a> #HolidayHopeChat. Please find info below for the chats, and join in on the conversation!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/6c7e7ffc675e23ede4c39b845d46dc391995b860/large/neda-holiday-chat.jpg?1481595674" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/59068a7e8bcf084ad6969759e84105ef8586f4dc/original/realize-your-beauty.jpg?1481595714" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/8ef20fcef72f9275aa743afbfbd4cf9a4edf2eea/original/balance-twitter-chat-promo-graphic.jpg?1481595735" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/42668842016-07-07T00:54:21-04:002016-07-07T00:54:21-04:00Doug Rosen Scholarship FundGetting personal on our blog today, and sharing a little about Doug Rosen, a dear friend & mentor who changed my life, as he changed the lives of countless others.<br><br>I met Doug the summer I turned 15yrs old. He was my drama teacher that summer and he opened my eyes to a world of love and understanding. Doug introduced me to new ways of thinking about theatre arts, and that summer I learned the methods of Grotowski, Stanislavski, and many theatre philosophies. But most importantly, the summer I met Doug is the summer I learned that theatre and music can be used to create change in this world and to provide healing. My life would never be the same.<br><br>That summer and for many years afterwards, I began performing with Doug's non-profit, <em>To Life LIVE</em>- a 501c3 organization that provided entertainment for those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS (formally Hearts & Voices NYC). I would play the piano, sing and perform for children's homes, hospitals and people in need. These early experiences for me were the very small seeds planted that would someday develop into Realize Your Beauty.<br><br>Doug ran his theatre classes from a place of great honesty. He expected great things of his students and at the same time, he taught them to embrace who they were. He taught me to embrace myself, and made me feel I had something special to offer to this world. Of the many stories that describe who Doug was, among the most poignant is from one of the last classes Doug taught. A very young shy girl came to her audition for his summer camp, and while she performed, she kept her arm behind her back. When Doug questioned her, she revealed a badly deformed arm. Doug told her that not only could she be in that summer's production, she needed to be. He said, “Don’t you ever be ashamed of that arm. It’s part of you, and it’s part of what makes you special.”<br><br>After a long illness, Doug passed away in 2009 at the age of 43. The week he passed, I traveled from NYC to Denver to be by his side, and to say goodbye. It makes me profoundly sad that Doug will never get to see how his influence has continued to create change for the next generation. However, I consider it a great privilege that I had the chance before he died to thank him for everything he taught me and everything he gave to me. To thank him for changing my life.<br><br>Thanks to a very generous private donor, this year we are honored to announce the Doug Rosen Scholarship Fund. This scholarship offers campers full & partial scholarships, providing children the opportunity to attend Camp RYB who may not otherwise be able to.<p>And so it is with great privilege we honor the memory of my dear friend & mentor, Doug Rosen- for everything he gave to me and for everything he gave to the community. Doug inspired me, taught me, and introduced me to a world where theatre can be used for positive change. Without him, Realize Your Beauty would not exist today.<br><br>For more information on Doug's life, please see this beautiful article written as tribute in the Denver Post: <a contents="link here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.denverpost.com/2009/09/05/doug-rosen-lived-to-make-others-feel-special/" target="_blank">link here</a>.<br><br>-Stacey Lorin Merkl<br>Founder & Executive Director, Realize Your Beauty</p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/42267402016-06-16T02:56:20-04:002017-01-13T14:45:02-05:00Fun Self-Care Tips for the Summer!<p>I don’t know about you, but my summer just started and I am crazy exhausted! I just finished my second year of grad school for playwriting and I feel completely consumed by pressure, my studies and prep for going back in the fall. For a while I kept thinking that summer is the perfect time to OD on hw and cry a lot and think about school. But so much self-doubt and stress can be really triggering and it’s important to remind oneself that the summer can be a perfect time to take some self-care steps and decompress from a long academic year. Here are some tips below on fun things to do this summer to decompress and get you all pampered and pumped for the fall! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/ad04871e05a185506a2b342e453630a7fbcb77cf/medium/268h.jpg?1466060112" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p>
<p>Take up Yoga as a new hobby (you got dis!)- Yoga might seem like a sexy thing that only celebrities do but it really is for everyone and you don’t have to be crazy flexible to do it. I have been feeling pretty anxious from all the constant pressure I was getting in grad school, so yoga has been a great way for me to work on ma breathing and being in the moment. Also there are lots of different types and levels of yoga, my favorite is restorative since you don’t have to move a lot!! </p>
<p>Catch up with Friends- Sometimes you get so busy with work or school you forget about people who are just way too fun to talk to. The summer can be a perfect time to reconnect with old friends. Being with people who make you feel good is a great way to take care of yourself and relax! </p>
<p>Go to a new restaurant – When I was struggling with my eating disorder, food always felt stressful to me because I felt I was eating too much of it or the "wrong" things. It’s helpful to remind oneself that food can be fun and pleasurable. I am such a foodie now so I love wandering around NYC and trying to find a new place to eat that has exotic pink milkshakes or really long hot dogs, anything instagrammable.<br><br>Have a happy summer everyone!! And remember to relax and take care of yourself!<br><br>By <a contents="Catherine Weingarten " data-link-label="Who We Are" data-link-type="page" href="/who-we-are" target="_blank">Catherine Weingarten </a><br><br> </p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/41811082016-05-14T15:54:01-04:002020-09-18T07:22:20-04:00Body Positive Summer Theatre Camp!<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong><span style="color:#800080;">Camp Realize Your Beauty<br>Sleepaway Camp: Girls 8-13yrs, July 17-22nd, Rocky Mountains </span><br><a contents="Early Bird Pricing Ends Monday!" data-link-label="Camp RYB" data-link-type="page" href="/camp-ryb" target="_blank"><span style="color:#FF0000;">Early Bird Pricing Ends Monday!</span></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Camp Realize Your Beauty offers a very unique summer camp experience. Traditional camp activities- such as evening camp fire circles & nature walks- will be combined with workshops designed to build confidence and life skills. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Your camper will learn acting, play writing & directing skills, with a special emphasis placed on developing a positive sense of self and body image. <br><br>Through fun and engaging activities, we help your child to build their self-esteem, while they develop new friendships!</span><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="More info and sign up here!" data-link-label="Camp RYB" data-link-type="page" href="/camp-ryb" target="_blank"><span style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="font_xl">More info and sign up here!</span></span></a></p>
<p><br><a contents="More info and sign up here!" data-link-label="Camp RYB" data-link-type="page" href="/camp-ryb" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/85b38c0346f50f03e9cc25ac5536cc4bfe2f5252/original/redesigned-camp-flyer.gif?1463199044" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/41563972016-04-27T17:16:09-04:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00RYB Day 2016!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl"><strong>Celebrations are underway for<br>RYB Day 2016!<br><br>We hope you'll join us!<br><br><a contents="Check out our page to find out how you can get involved (click here)." data-link-label="RYB Day!" data-link-type="page" href="/ryb-day--3" target="_blank"><span style="color:#008080;">Check out our page to</span></a></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl"><strong><a contents="Check out our page to find out how you can get involved (click here)." data-link-label="RYB Day!" data-link-type="page" href="/ryb-day--3" target="_blank"><span style="color:#008080;">find out how you can get involved!<br>(click here)</span></a></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><a contents="Check out our page to find out how you can get involved (click here)." data-link-label="RYB Day!" data-link-type="page" href="/ryb-day--3" target="_blank"><iframe class="justify_center" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="02rZ6tnKVDE" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/02rZ6tnKVDE/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/02rZ6tnKVDE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></a>
</div><br><a contents="" data-link-label="RYB Day!" data-link-type="page" href="/ryb-day--3" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/6c0409e7f7a5a5a0c881bb0b3a1d9abf56a09b69/original/ryb-day-cropped-2016.jpg?1458095238" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/40591992016-02-27T10:17:52-05:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00Enough is Enough: An Artist's Take On Body Image<p><span class="font_large">Being an actor means a lot of things: adhering to a gypsy lifestyle, a lot of wonderful creative connections, creating work with different people, just to name a few. It also requires a lot of discipline, resilience, and time. Being a professional actor also means there is a lot of pressure and a lot of emphasis placed on how you look. Body image is a skewed topic in this professional field, and like it or not it directly effects your job. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I knew when I was young I wanted to be a performer because I love making people smile. The act of sharing so much of yourself with a group of people made me feel electric. As I navigated my way through my younger years I became very aware of how I looked, like every young person, and became even more aware of it in the entertainment community. I realized that "type" and "look" played a crucial role in this business that prides itself on acceptance. I started to question where I fit. I've always been told I was a "character" actress...the average description of these roles are as follows: "funny best friend", "slightly overweight sibling", "compulsive eater", "round", "obese", "heavy", "large in stature"... The list goes on and on. These breakdowns center on physical attributes most of the time. None of these adjectives define who I am as a performer, or who I am as a person. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/f094d03169640eca1bcc02a24189464cc61cbebd/medium/029.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I have grown frustrated knowing that I get called into audition for roles solely because my pictures show that I am above a size 0-4 (And this is in no way a knock on those girls who are those sizes, because they also bear the burden of this physical typing). It's not that I dislike auditioning or playing these roles, quite the opposite! My challenge for everyone is can we find positive adjectives to make these characters seem empowered instead of the person we are supposed to laugh at. Why does the "funny best friend" have to be "fat." Why is fat funny? There is nothing funny about being ridiculed for the way you look. Why can't Belle be a size 20 if she has the skills? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I have spent a lot of time thinking about the emotional ramifications women face because of this focus on their bodies. Why do our bodies have to be under attack everyday? Isn't it time we all looked in the mirror and organically thought something positive instead of negative? I am a 25 year old female who has spent the last 15 years trying to change the way I look. I am in great shape, I eat well, and I am at the size my body feels most comfortable at. I have struggled with disordered eating. I have allowed my physical self to define who I am. And I have decided that <em>enough is enough. </em><br><br>I love what I do, it will always be the first love of my life. I feel grateful that I have a passion that is so deeply rooted in who I am, but I will no longer allow this passion to make me feel physically inadequate. I am trying to be more physically free in my artistic endeavors, to not apologize for the "imperfections". Now, when I walk into the audition room I own myself. I challenge other women to do the same. Be the person that changes their mind in the room. Don't shrink yourself down because you're scared of how bright your light is. If anything you're lighting the way for those to come.<br><br>Written by <a contents="Elise Arndt" data-link-label="Who We Are" data-link-type="page" href="/who-we-are" target="_blank">Elise Arndt</a>;<br>RYB Cast Member</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/d12117a634c76d4f90a6a221fe2b3b508504fe80/original/dsc-4836.jpg?0" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">(RYB Cast Members; Pictured from Left to Right: Starr, Lizzy, Sarah, Elise, Nicole)</p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/40274432016-02-05T17:36:50-05:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00Special Announcement! We're Expanding!<div>We are thrilled to announce that Realize Your Beauty is officially expanding its programs to Colorado!<br><br>We will kick off our Colorado programs with <a contents="Camp Realize Your Beauty" data-link-label="Camp Realize Your Beauty" data-link-type="page" href="/camp-realize-your-beauty" target="_blank"><em>Camp Realize Your Beauty</em></a>, July 17-22nd 2016, Granby, CO.<br><br>Thank you to all of our supporters for helping make this expansion possible. Check back often for updates and more special announcements!</div><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/a9cf135f1989cb696775d03329e4ef399fa4e2ca/large/hi-res-8x10.jpg?0" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">(image design from <a contents="Printable Quirks" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrintableQuirks" target="_blank">Printable Quirks</a>)</div><br><br><br> Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/39447712015-12-01T23:31:10-05:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00Be Brave: Bravelets<p>Want to donate to Realize Your Beauty, and at the same time purchase beautiful and inspiring jewelry??<br><br>We are thrilled to announce our new fundraising page on <a contents="Bravelets" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bravelets.com/bravepage/realizeyourbeauty" target="_blank">Bravelets</a>! These bracelets & jewelry, with the inscription "<strong>Be Brave</strong>", are a great way to motivate yourself or a loved one with a positive message of encouragement.<br><br><a contents="Bravelets" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bravelets.com/bravepage/realizeyourbeauty" target="_blank">Bravelets</a> will donate <em>$10 of every bracelet purchased from our Brave Page to Realize Your Beauty</em>! What a beautiful way to support our programming!!<br><br>You can browse their lovely selection of jewelry <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bravelets.com/bravepage/realizeyourbeauty" target="_blank">here</a>.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bravelets.com/bravepage/realizeyourbeauty" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/d5649e6325c27dd5f07c320b752ced8cf37e29e1/large/764a7833a342c6e9c1499b4c1060fc83.jpg?1449030586" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/39447362015-12-01T23:06:04-05:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00Giving Tuesday - Final Call for Donations!<div>
<div>Today, on Giving Tuesday, we are sending out the final call for donations.<br><br>Thank you so much to everyone who has already given. Your donations keep our programs going, and we absolutely depend on them. Together, let's build a world where children grow up learning to love themselves & others, and learn to treat each other with kindness & respect.<br> </div>Follow link to be directed to our fundraising page: <a data-link-label="Annual Fundraiser!" data-link-type="page" href="/annual-fundraiser" target="_blank">RYB Fundraiser</a><br> </div>
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<div>Thank you so much for your consideration & continued support.<br> </div>
<div>In gratitude,</div>
<div>Stacey<br><br><span>Founder & Executive Director</span><br><span>Realize Your Beauty, Inc.</span><br><br>“It was perfect. I learned: BE WHO YOU ARE! Love yourself!” – Alaisia, age 13, 9<sup>th</sup> grade<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="Annual Fundraiser!" data-link-type="page" href="/annual-fundraiser" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/b69a2f745d4c05cb9b6dce5119d931e62585ebb7/medium/2015-eat-sleep-give.jpg?1449030706" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a>
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</div></div></div></div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/39322212015-11-23T22:17:34-05:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00Thanksgiving: Survival Guide for a Healthy, Happy Holiday!Sometimes in friendly holiday movies, Thanksgiving is depicted as smooth going, serene and an uber friendly time to family bond, but in real life it can be super stressful. You have to hang with every cousin you ever met, defend your career choices and eat bulging turkeys all on one night!! It seems like there’s so much pressure to have this perfect family dinner that it can almost be debilitating.<br><br>For people struggling with disordered eating, the holidays can be an especially triggering time: questions like <em>“what exactly should I eat? How do I not binge? How do I handle all this stress?”</em> usually occur. But don’t you fear!! This is super common and hopefully this article will provide some coping tips for the holidays!!<br><br>One of the reasons Thanksgiving can be especially triggering is its major focus on food and communal eating. People struggling with eating disorders sometimes do not like to eat in public or hate getting into situations when there’s a lot of pressure on eating certain things. I personally struggled with binge eating before so sometimes I get nervous that at meals like this one, I will be tempted to lose control and just eat everything to prove I’m having a good time and to help fit in. But just remember, you can eat as much or as little as you want; and if you do have dietary restrictions, you can email the person cooking ahead of time. Even if it seems like there’s a ton of focus on this big meal, the holiday really is focused on relaxing and spending some high class quality time with yo family!<br><br>Another thing about Thanksgiving that can be difficult is the focus on proving how well you are doing with your life in conversations with family members. Just remember that some of this can be in your head. Your family members hopefully want to talk to you to see what you are up to and do some fun chit chat, not just see if you landed a fancy fancy job and are marrying a prince. Also remember if there is a family member that seems to be pushing you on your career choices and you are starting to shut down, you can always step away from the conversation and talk to someone else. Talk to the family members that help you feel comfortable and are good at the talking!<br><br>Ok here are some helpful, fun tips for a body positive thanksgiving! Happy holidays from RYB!<br><br>-<strong>Forgive yo self</strong>- If you eat a bit more food than you usually do in your typical diet, don’t beat yourself up!! When the table looks that good with all that colorful fancy food, it’s hard not to dig in. Just remember, you are so much more than how much food you have at a meal, you are an awesome, beautiful person with so many unique qualities!<br> <br><strong>-Have Support Networks/where ma girls at!!-</strong> Don’t ever be nervous to reach out for help if you are feeling overwhelmed or triggered during the holidays! Sometimes it can be hard if you are not feeling good, to just tell yourself to suck it up or deal with it. A great resource is the <a contents="National Eating Disorder Helpline which is totally free and anonymous: 1-800-931-2237" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support" target="_blank"><em><strong>National Eating Disorder Helpline (which is totally free and anonymous): 1-800-931-2237</strong></em></a> or you can call a friend or loved one who has an idea of what you’re going through and is willing to talk through your feelings. Just remember you are not alone, the holidays can be a very hard time but there are people who love you and will be there for you if you need them.<br> <br><strong>Find some fun, sexy activities</strong>! If your family is sitting around talking about why you are not in law school, it’s totally fine to ask to change activities. You can suggest everyone taking a walk or watching a trashy movie. Or you can always take a time out and go to your room or take a phone call and get a little break from the family bonding. A low key Thanksgiving without too many people asking me what a playwright is and will I ever make money, is usually my secret goal and hope :)<br><br><em>Written by <a contents="Catherine Weingarten" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://catherine-weingarten.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Catherine Weingarten</a></em><br><br><strong>More resources!</strong>
<ul> <li>
<strong><em>Realize Your Beauty</em> </strong>recently took part in a Twitter Chat hosted by <em><a contents="Proud2BeMe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://proud2bme.org" target="_blank">Proud2BeMe</a></em>, focused on holiday triggers, with tips & advice. You can read highlights here: <a contents="Proud Chat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://storify.com/NEDAstaff/tips-for-a-healthy-happy-trigger-free-holiday-seas" target="_blank">Proud Chat</a>
</li> <li>
<strong>#thx4support</strong>: Need some extra support on Thanksgiving Day? Help is out there via social media, using #thx4support on <a contents="Twitter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/bodylove_ryb" target="_blank">Twitter</a>! Search the hashtag for inspiration & support. You can also participate by tweeting your support to those in the community!</li>
</ul><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/72648c88751c615fead011b8366cd3dd53924e8d/original/60h.jpg?1444250112" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/39260562015-11-19T13:42:10-05:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00Join In on the Conversation! Twitter Chat Addressing Holiday Triggers<br><span class="font_large">Realize Your Beauty is thrilled to be taking part in this important discussion!<br><br>Twitter chat focused on:</span>
<ul> <li><span class="font_large">Common Holiday Triggers</span></li> <li><span class="font_large">Avoiding Body Bashing </span></li> <li><span class="font_large">and Support Resources</span></li>
</ul><br><span class="font_large">Hosted by <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=195666087169714" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://proud2bme.org/" target="_blank">Proud2BmeUS</a>.<br>With: <a aria-describedby="js_2o" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_2n" class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=198849200148958" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA),</a> <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=219137834938464" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.ravishly.com/" target="_blank">Ravishly,</a> <a contents="Scholastic Choices Mag" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://choices.scholastic.com/" target="_blank">Scholastic Choices Mag</a> & <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=25567278752" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.adiosbarbie.com/" target="_blank">Adios Barbie</a><br><br>Join in on the conversation: 11/19, 3-4pm EST!</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/4de456fdfc3e86e293b10da4e44eefc120e3bd35/large/proudchat-final.png?1447958405" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">(graphic courtesy of <a contents="Proud2BeMe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://proud2bme.org/" target="_blank">Proud2BeMe</a>)</div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/38870952015-10-07T14:42:55-04:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00RYB's Guide to Rocking the New School Year!There is a lot to love about back to school time; using your crisp new school supplies, reuniting with friends, getting a whole new chance at the school year. It’s fun and often exciting. Halloween is right around the corner! As exciting as it can be, there are often a lot of different emotions to deal with as well. Sadness that the summer has come to an end, and some of your plans didn’t turn out the way you had hoped. Feeling nervous or anxious about adjusting to new teachers or maybe even a whole new school. It’s easy to feel excited and a bit scared to face friends that you haven’t seen over the summer.<br> <br>It’s a wonderful time to compare stories and trade adventures and it’s also a time of seeing all the changes that have taken place during the vacation. Some of us may have a new hair cut or our bodies may be bigger. Some of us may have a whole new wardrobe or look a bit smaller. Maybe we went from being the tallest to being one of the short ones. It’s such an easy time to get caught in comparing yourself to others and trying to fit in. Sometimes a friend may say something about your appearance that hurts your feelings, and sometimes you may be that friend. Maybe you want to be noticed, and maybe you just want to blend in, and probably a bit of both at different times in the same day. It can get confusing and overwhelming. It’s a hard time to stay confident and feel safe about who you are. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/10dcd09156bbd51ddcb38a9ad1b6fc82d44900a3/medium/160h.jpg?1444250194" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><br> <br><em>Are there ways that you can prepare yourself for the coming year? How can you stay safe and be your strong beautiful self with so many changes.<br> </em><br>Well, the good news is, you are not alone. Everyone is in the same boat and there are some helpful tools you can use to stay safe and comfortable when navigating these rough waters.<br> <br>1) <strong>Why not write down your feelings and thoughts?</strong> It feels good to get it out and also have a record of your journey. Finding a beautiful journal can be a fun shopping trip. It gives you a safe activity to engage in when you’re feeling alone or when you need a reason to take a break from others. Also, it’s your own personal story and you don’t have to share it with anyone or apologize for what you’re thinking and feeling. It’s just for you. Carry it in your backpack so you have the safety to use it whenever you need. <br> <br>2) <strong> Be courageous. Sometimes the easiest way to feel good about ourselves it to help someone else</strong>. Do you see any opportunities to stand up for yourself or a friend? Is there someone new and lost at your school that may appreciate your kindness? Sometimes it’s as simple as walking up to someone new and saying hello. Sometimes a great way to forget about fitting in is offer your help to someone else who has trouble fitting in too.<br> <br>3) <strong> Stay calm and speak up.</strong> School can be such a mixture of different people. It’s a new and exciting time but also a chance to engage with people who think, act and speak differently from you. Maybe you love your new dress, but someone else is going to make fun of it. Maybe you still love coloring and expressing yourself as an artist but someone else is going to tell you it’s for kids. Maybe your best friend only wants to eat the meal plan written in her mom’s magazine, and suggests that you feel the same way.<br><br><em> Remember, only one person in the entire history of the world will get to be you… and guess who that is? You!</em> You do it better than anyone so do not give up your own thoughts, feelings and beliefs. If you like your dress, wear it with pride. Maybe someone else hates it. Maybe someone else wants to feel better and can only do that by making fun of you. You can always take a deep breath and say, <em>I like who I am so I don’t need to change</em>. Say it out loud. Say it in your head. Remember, you can always make a quick bathroom break to write it down in your journal. Don’t feel ashamed to express yourself even if it’s different from what others think. It feels good to get our opinions out instead of keeping them inside all the time.<br> <br>4) <strong>Try to find the positive.</strong> <em>Even a day with some tough spots doesn’t have to be a bad day.</em> Guess what? Life is complicated. You can have the best class followed by the worst phone call. It’s always a mixed bag and that’s what makes life so wonderful and surprising. Practice looking for one positive thing in every situation. Maybe you don't like wearing gym shorts, but you still get to run around and have fun for the entire class. Maybe you have a math test tomorrow, but you also have a beautiful sunny afternoon to spend outside studying. <em>Things will get rough and things will get better so why not look for the things that make you smile!</em><br> <br>There is a whole year ahead of you that you can fill with adventures and fun. <em>Remember to be kind to yourself and others. </em>Remember that you are beautiful. Let yourself shine from the inside out and have a great school year!<br><br>Written by <a contents="Tracy Jennissen" data-link-label="Who We Are" data-link-type="page" href="/who-we-are">Tracy Jennissen</a><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/72648c88751c615fead011b8366cd3dd53924e8d/large/60h.jpg?1444250112" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><a contents="(Photos by Ryan McGuire)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.laughandpee.com/" target="_blank">(Photos courtesy of Ryan McGuire)</a></div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/38082172015-08-10T12:56:17-04:002017-01-13T14:45:01-05:00Staying Positive After a Summer Romance Blows Its Fuse I’ve never been the biggest summer person. While my friends would have summer break fantasies of them riding on surf boards with generic good looking dudes, I would have ominous premonitions of me spacing out in my apartment waiting for things to get interesting again. The problem with summer, especially when you’re in school, is that it can feel like you’re life just kinda stops while you’re waiting for the next thing to happen.<br><br> But when you’re seeing someone over the summer, then things can sometimes get good. Then sometimes your summers are filled with odd flavored milkshakes and late night phone calls and plans of what the fall is gunna look like and matching fall sweaters. This summer I was slightly dating someone and a part of me hoped that the longer it went on, the more potential it had to be more real. It was nice to have him around this summer because we could complain about the summers day that stretched on foreverrrr. <br><br> But soon the relationship became more and more like a memory and more and more off; and it eventually tapered off. When a breakup happens at first it just feels like a shock, because someone was in your life every day and now suddenly they’re just gone. All of their little quirks and random interests suddenly aren’t apart of your life. You don’t get to see their weird magic tricks or the way they could find any excuse to tease you, even if you were acting pretty classy at the moment.<br><br> It really can also take a big toll on your confidence because you got dumped and it’s still the summer aka you now have a million years to analyze every detail. You probably will wonder if you can meet someone else and if you’re even good enough to meet everyone else. Because of my history of struggle with body image, I automatically jumped to how I looked. If I were prettier…If I looked like a Jewish version of Taylor Swift, then he would be mine.<br><br> But one positive thing about getting dumped in the summer is that the fall is so soon, and the fall means a new start. You really don’t know all the crazy exciting things that can happen!! And the weird thing about relationships is sometimes they just don’t work out, and it has nothing to do with you. Maybe it has something to do with the combination of you two together or maybe the person you’re with has his own stuff going on that makes him not able to be in the relationship. But even if you rationalize it, it doesn’t mean it’s still not gunna hurt a bit! Here are 3 post breakup self care tips!! You got this gurll!<ol> <li>
<strong>Don’t be afraid to feel it out.</strong> It can be easy after a breakup to feel like you need to be empowered and go fight bulls and do karate and go bite things! But you just lost something real, so it’s important to grieve a little and process everything that happened. Go watch “A Fault in her stars” and cry it out!</li>
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<ol> <li value="2">
<strong>Get some company</strong>- where yo posse at!! After a breakup, you feelings can get so intense that if you’re left by yourself you might just cry and watch your friends wedding videos on facebook in a snuggie. I know that I felt better just having a friend in the room with me, just knowing that people did care about me and wanted to hear how I was doing, made me feel way better.</li>
</ol>
<ol> <li value="3">
<strong>Do YO thing</strong>- All summer I have been wanting to get in on my summer reading, but I got distracted by texting my love interest or reflecting on our previous texts or thinking about what he would text me if he liked texting more. After we broke up, I finally decided that my trashy art history crime book wasn’t gunna read itself! Being single means you can do all the random stuff you ever wanted to do!</li>
</ol> <br>Summer can be an especially hard time for breakups since the days feel like extra gooey taffy; but it’s doable! And hopefully you’ll learn something about yourself by the end of your post breakup grieving process, cause that’s one of the best things ever. I really do believe the more experiences you have, the more you start to realize what you want and how you can be more yourself during the dating process. So keep on trucking!!<br><br>Written by <a contents="Catherine Weingarten" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://catherine-weingarten.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Catherine Weingarten</a><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/a5ff046ee9512dc6ee9129be450b249fff656a17/original/girlonrock.jpg?1438970084" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/37176072015-06-06T19:44:55-04:002023-12-10T12:20:54-05:00What is a 'trigger'?: How to talk about ED & Body ImageThere are so many news stories and tell all novels about body image/eating disorder related topics and after awhile one can feel a little overwhelmed! Especially when the stories aren’t told in a responsible way. It is so tempting to want to give every detail about what it feels to struggle with body image, but hold off, son ;)!!! At the same time, if you see an article or book that you feel sensationalizes the experience or is too specific in detail, it’s okay to hold off and not read it. As a body positive activist, I feel a duty to be careful about how I tell my story and to make sure not to 'trigger' others. <br><br>"Triggering" in this context means hindering someone’s ability to take in a story/event, because they are harmed by certain material as a result of a past event/their own previous issues. When you 'trigger' someone, you bring up certain emotions and reactions in them, and take them to a place they don’t want to be- for example, further into their own body image issues. Here are two SUPA DUPA easy ways to tell if something could be a bit too triggering.<ol> <li>
<strong>Numbers-</strong> <em>When an article keeps mentioning how much someone weighed before and after having an eating disorder, that is incredibly triggering. </em>In our diet obsessed culture, we are so into seeing how much people weigh, but in this context it is especially triggering because it can glamorize anorexia and weight loss. The number in the article can start to become a goal weight for the person reading, instead of a warning of how sick and underweight one can be with an eating disorder. Just remember, <em><strong>you are more than a number!!</strong> </em><em>Weight is just one unit of measurement, it doesn’t account for someone’s personality, their sense of humor or the way they like to wear awesome purple rompers during the summer ;)</em>
</li>
</ol>
<ol> <li value="2">
<strong>Details</strong>- <em>When one is giving a personal account or experience, if one goes into too many details, it can sometimes glamorize or sensationalize.</em> Especially when the story connects to others saying you looked way too hot to exist and at the same time you were starving yourself and sick. You don’t want to make the disorder sound too exotic and glam, or people will think it’s worth trying.<em> Also, someone who is very sick may hear these personal accounts and get ideas from them to further their illness.</em> This means no specifics about numbers, calories, what one did/didn't eat when they were ill, and nothing about specific self-harming activities engaged in while struggling with ED. Talking about body image and ED in a responsible way means keeping things general, focusing on a general sense of the journey, and always including a big heap of <em>hope for recovery</em>!</li>
</ol> <br><strong>Here are some tips on how to avoid being triggered by body image related things!</strong>
<ul> <li>Avoid reading fashion magazines that glamorize weight loss</li> <li>Avoid reading 'tell all' novels by way too hip celebs about their eating disorders</li> <li>Don’t read diet books that talk about weight loss as a primary goal with eating/weight loss cooking guides</li> <li>Unfollow people on facebook or other social media sites that post about their own weight loss goals/how they need to lose weight. For some reason, this seems to be a popular thing on social media but can be super triggering and can make you feel like you should also have weight loss goals.</li>
</ul><br>I know summer is right around the corner and there is a lot of body image pressure and triggers, but do remember to get outside, have fun and <em>be you! </em><br><br>And if you need support feel free to reach out to loved ones or the NEDA helpline (a fantastic free resource!): <a contents="NEDA Help" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nedawareness.org/get-help/helpline" target="_blank">NEDA Help</a><br><br><span class="font_regular">Written By Catherine Weingarten</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/66e800879120ae14b80ed3fb5cb9a1ce1cbf9d9f/original/sunnygirlfield.jpg?1433633967" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br> Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/36530542015-04-11T15:03:01-04:002017-01-13T14:45:00-05:00Twitter Chat! RYB Teams up with EBNYC & NEDA to take on the Fitnessgram!<strong>Special announcement! </strong><br><br>Twitter Chat!! RYB teams up with <a contents="Endangered Bodies NYC " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://newyork.endangeredbodies.org/bmi" target="_blank">Endangered Bodies NYC </a>& <a contents="NEDA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">NEDA</a> to take on the Fitnessgram!<br><br>Follow us on twitter: <a contents="@bodylove_ryb" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/bodylove_ryb" target="_blank">@bodylove_ryb</a> & Join us:<strong> 4/19/15 at 8pm</strong> <span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">BMItruth</span><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/bodylove_ryb" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/050d5849a8f6d85c4ee14a654c31346d6a2b684d/original/ebus-twitter-chat.jpg?1428778872" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/35891502015-03-10T15:31:18-04:002017-01-13T14:45:00-05:00Facebook responds to Petition: VICTORY!We are thrilled to announce that the <a contents="Endangered Bodies " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://newyork.endangeredbodies.org/" target="_blank">Endangered Bodies</a> petition has been declared a 'Victory' by <a contents="change.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.change.org/p/facebook-remove-the-feeling-fat-emoticon-fatisnotafeeling/responses/27256?utm_campaign=share-boxes&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition" target="_blank">change.org</a>!<br><br>Facebook has responded in the following way:<br><br>"We’ve heard from our community that listing “feeling fat” as an option for status updates could reinforce negative body image, particularly for people struggling with eating disorders. So we’re going to remove “feeling fat” from the list of options. We’ll continue to listen to feedback as we think about ways to help people express themselves on Facebook."<br><br>We are THRILLED by their response!<br><br>This week has been such an inspiring reminder that <em>change is possible</em>. When we use our voices and have the courage to speak up, we can create change.<br><br>Thank you so much to everyone who contributed by signing the petition, sharing, tweeting, etc. etc. Together, we made this happen!<br><br>To find out more about the petition, please check out this blog post by RYB Resident Playwright & Board Member, Catherine Weingarten, the face of the US petition:<br> <div style="text-align: center;"><a contents="Fat Is Not A Feeling Petition: A Reflection" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://realizeyourbeauty.org/news/blog/fat-is-not-a-feeling-petition-a-reflection-by-catherine-weingarten">Fat Is Not A Feeling Petition: A Reflection</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">and Here: <a contents="Proud2BMe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://proud2bme.org/content/victory-fat-not-feeling" target="_blank">Proud2BMe</a>
</div><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/2f3255c877b73b80a8d536566fd4b18ac32e2e19/original/lezahehtuqkhges-800x450-nopad.jpg?1424886018" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br> Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/35884192015-03-10T10:33:05-04:002019-11-30T06:06:17-05:00Fat Is Not A Feeling Petition: A Reflection by Catherine Weingarten<span class="font_regular">I recently have gotten involved with an awesome “change.org” petition that wants to do away with the “fat” emoticon on facebook. The emoticon appears when you are writing in your status and adding a “I feel” to the end of it. The feelings include things like sad, happy, depressed and also ugly and fat. <a contents="Endangered Bodies " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://newyork.endangeredbodies.org/" target="_blank">Endangered Bodies </a>and I felt this was problematic since fat is not a feeling, it’s an adjective that we usually use to shame ourselves.<br><br>The petition has gone viral and has been featured in such magazines as People, Glamour and NY Daily News. The whole thing has been a bit surreal! I have been doing body positive activism work for about 4 years now but nothing so mainstream and visible. This story was also a big deal for me, since I talked about my personal experience with eating disorders and how that informs the fat emoticon issue. Sharing my story was a big risk, but since body positivity is such an important issue to me-I knew that it was what I wanted/needed/had to do. <br><br>So many people feel alone when they struggle with an eating disorder. They feel like they are the only one who hates their body and that everyone else is super happy with how they look and eat cheerios and laugh and lead blissful lives. But by sharing my story, I hope to show people, especially young women, that they are not the only one who have struggled and that there is hope to lead a more fulfilling, colorful and complex life.<br><br>When I had an eating disorder, I could have never imagined myself having a future that involved an emerging career in playwriting as well as activism. All I could see was how much weight I needed to lose and “how fat I felt” and how unworthy I was. But now that I am thankfully on the other side, I hope that I can keep working with awesome orgs like Realize your Beauty and Endangered Bodies to show people that are are more than how we look, we are so much more than that!<br><br>The scary thing though is when activists tell their story, there can sometimes be backlash. I have gotten lots of mean comments through social media telling me to “get a life” and other things in that arena. When I get those comments, I try to just breathe through it, call a friend if I need to talk about it, but try not to take it too personally.<br><br>For me, being an artist means telling the truth and I really do believe that we deserve better when it comes to social media. I want young people to know that “fat is not a feeling” and that they are so much more than how they look. Eating disorders effect so many young people per year, and I really believe taking a critical look at social media can help us help future generations and I hope to keep creating plays and doing activist work that help people to take notice.<br><br>By Catherine Weingarten<br><br>Links to articles and petition below:<br><br><a contents="Change.org Petition" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.change.org/p/facebook-remove-the-feeling-fat-emoticon-fatisnotafeeling" target="_blank">Change.org Petition</a><br><br><a contents="Washington Post" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/06/facebooks-feeling-fat-emoticon-is-fueling-a-fight-over-digital-body-shaming/" target="_blank">Washington Post</a><br><a contents="People" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.people.com/article/facebook-fat-option-status-update-petiton" target="_blank">People</a><br><a contents="Glamour" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2015/03/fat-facebook-emoji" target="_blank">Glamour</a><br><a contents="HelloGiggles" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://hellogiggles.com/bodylab-prject" target="_blank">HelloGiggles</a><br><a contents="Shape" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/should-facebook-ban-feeling-fat-emoji" target="_blank">Shape</a><br><a contents="Bustle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/68067-endangered-bodies-fatisnotafeeling-petitions-asks-facebook-to-ban-fat-and-ugly-emoticons-in-the-name-of" target="_blank">Bustle</a><br><a contents="CosmopolitanUK" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/entertainment/news/a33934/fatisnotafeeling-facebook-petition-emoticons/?utm_content=buffer835bf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">CosmopolitanUK</a><br><a contents="Seventeen" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.seventeen.com/health/news/a29047/thousands-of-people-have-petitioned-facebook-to-get-rid-of-fat-and-ugly-emoticons/" target="_blank">Seventeen</a><br><a contents="Huffington Post Women" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/06/petition-facebook-remove-feeling-fat-status-_n_6819142.html?1425680024&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000050" target="_blank">Huffington Post Women</a><br><a contents="Huffington Post UK" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/05/fat-is-not-feeling-facebook-body-shaming-petition_n_6800662.html?utm_hp_ref=tw" target="_blank">Huffington Post UK</a><br><a contents="Daily Dot" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/facebook-fat-emoji/" target="_blank">Daily Dot</a><br><a contents="Ohio University" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.campusreform.org/?ID=6338" target="_blank">Ohio University</a><br><a contents="Ihaven'tshavedinsixweeks- Blog" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://ihaventshavedinsixweeks.com/2015/03/03/yo-zuckerberg-fats-not-a-feeling-keep-it-off-facebook/" target="_blank">I Haven't Shaved In Six Weeks- Blog</a><br><a contents="The Mary Sue" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.themarysue.com/facebook-feeling-fat/" target="_blank">The Mary Sue</a></span><br><a contents="Time" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://time.com/3739742/facebook-feeling-fat/" target="_blank">Time</a><br><br><strong>Update: VICTORY!</strong> Read more <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://realizeyourbeauty.org/news/blog/facebook-responds-to-petition-victory" target="_blank">here</a><br>And here: <a contents="Proud2BMe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://proud2bme.org/content/victory-fat-not-feeling" target="_blank">Proud2BMe</a><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/e8bbb4b843f45a30a0ac76663a50b6e9e77605e8/original/fb-petitionebnyc.png?1425997739" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>(image courtesy of <a contents="Endangered Bodies NYC" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://newyork.endangeredbodies.org/" target="_blank">Endangered Bodies NYC</a>) </strong></div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/35661182015-03-01T16:04:39-05:002015-03-02T10:08:58-05:00NEDAW 2015: Thank you & A RecapAs National Eating Disorders Awareness Week winds down, I find myself reflecting on all of the great conversations, interactions, and outreach that happened this week. Seeing so many people come together for the cause was very inspiring. We made many new friends, connected with new & fantastic organizations, and did our very best to contribute to the goal of this week: raising awareness for this important cause. Thank you to everyone who engaged this week in our posts, tweets & events.<br><br>If you have any questions about anything you saw, read or heard this week, please check out <a contents="NEDA's website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org" target="_blank">NEDA's website</a>.<br><br>Worried about yourself or someone you love? Call the helpline: 1-800-931-2237 or participate in a confidential screening <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.mybodyscreening.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br><br>Realize Your Beauty is already gearing up for NEDAW 2016!<br><br>In kindness,<br><br>Stacey Lorin Merkl<br>Founder & Executive Director<br><br>For those who missed them, below is a recap of the cast messages from this week:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="si_BlSvIQLI" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/si_BlSvIQLI/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/si_BlSvIQLI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="rAGcViKmN90" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/rAGcViKmN90/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rAGcViKmN90?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="GSXe2Kz_NUM" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/GSXe2Kz_NUM/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GSXe2Kz_NUM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="LN8HRESsznk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/LN8HRESsznk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LN8HRESsznk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="PTx21ce78jY" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/PTx21ce78jY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PTx21ce78jY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/35569522015-02-25T12:46:29-05:002017-01-13T14:45:00-05:00Facebook: Fat is not a feeling!Petition to have the 'I feel fat' & 'I feel ugly' icons<em> removed </em>from Facebook. Please help us tell facebook that 'fat' and 'ugly' are <em>not</em> feelings.
<p>RYB Resident Playwright & Board Member, Catherine Weingarten, is working with <a contents="Endangered Bodies NYC " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://newyork.endangeredbodies.org/" target="_blank">Endangered Bodies NYC </a>to help make this change. Please take a moment to read the petition & sign: <a contents="Change.org Petition" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.change.org/p/facebook-remove-the-feeling-fat-emoticon-fatisnotafeeling" target="_blank">Change.org Petition</a><br><br>"Fat is not a feeling. Fat is a natural part of our bodies, no matter their weight. And all bodies deserve to be respected and cared for.</p>
<p>Facebook is the most popular social networking site in the world right now. With 890 million users each day, it has the power to influence how we talk to each other about our bodies. I dream that one day the platform will actively encourage body positivity and self-esteem among its users, but for now, all I ask is that it stop endorsing self-destructive thoughts through seemingly harmless emojis.</p>
<p>Please sign to demand that Facebook remove the “fat” emoji from its status options and stop encouraging negative body image among girls."<br><br>- <a contents="Catherine Weigngarten" data-link-label="Who We Are" data-link-type="page" href="/who-we-are" target="_blank">Catherine Weingarten</a></p>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/2f3255c877b73b80a8d536566fd4b18ac32e2e19/large/lezahehtuqkhges-800x450-nopad.jpg?1424886018" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">Fat is NOT a feeling!</p></div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/34604282015-01-10T10:55:03-05:002017-01-13T14:45:00-05:00New Year, New You?Written by <a contents="Catherine Weingarten" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://catherine-weingarten.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Catherine Weingarten</a><br><br>It is now officially 2015 and as usual, there are a ton of ads targeting people’s resolutions/hopes for the new year. It is always energizing to have goals and things you are working towards, but too many young women are pressured to make 2015 their healthiest year yet/lose a certain amount of pounds. It seems that every sexy teen magazine has an article talking about the newest workouts to get washboard Twilight abs this year or what yogurt will make you look like a shy Swedish super model. <br><br>But here at RYB, we are hoping that you made non weight related resolutions. It’s a new year so it’s a new chance for lots of things way more important than how you look. Maybe you always wanted to try ice skating or you wanted to audition for MTV’s “Real World”. That sounds cool! Go for it! Or maybe your resolution is to try harder at school or visit your grandma more, those all sound rad. I urge you to just pick something that has nothing to do with looks, but more with quality of life. When you focus more on weight, you lose touch with reality, relationships and all the exciting things in the every day. There are so many awesome resolution choices ranging from super silly to serious changes in regards to relationship or work.<br><br>Maybe your resolution is to be less tough on yourself! Lot of young women put a ton of pressure on themselves to look perfect, be Bill Gates level smart and also kind to all! We put so much pressure, that we don’t give ourselves breaks and let ourselves discover new things that excite us. A lot of these new weight loss add campaigns seem empowering, but they really are giving us messages that we are not enough as we are. But we are! There are way more important things to think about than what are new ways to lose weight this year! <br><br>What is your resolution? What was the worst resolution you ever made and why did you not like it? What do you think about the weight loss campaigns that target new year resolution? Feel free to respond to this article in the comments! I would love to hear from ya!<br><br> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Our 2015 Resolution? Laugh more! What's yours?</strong></div><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/e89a76707afa8316c430f834d0ce3814c2afb65a/medium/indwelling-cast.jpg?1420905251" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/33955492014-12-13T13:16:18-05:002014-12-21T09:46:28-05:00 Ho Ho Ho Hoping for Healthy Body Positive Holidays!<span class="font_large">by Catherine Weingarten</span><br><br> People in holiday movies have perfect hair and laugh in a good looking way and are so happy it’s the holidays! But what if you don’t feel like that? What if you feel like you look bad and dorkalicious over the holidays? Well, you’ll be glad to know that you are not alone in this. The holiday season can be triggering for many people: especially people who struggle with disordered eating and EDs. <br><br> There is so much pressure over the holidays to have the best time ever and to eat way too much food; which can be odd for people who are trying to rebuild their relationship with food. Personally, I sometimes feel during the holidays that I am slipping back to bad patterns and maybe binging. Why is it okay to eat too much just because it is a holiday? But we really need to be easier on ourselves around holiday time. Holidays should be a time to catch up with family members and learn about their odd 3d sculptures of cat faces or their new girl-friend who can tango. They shouldn’t be a test to see if you can control yourself while others eat a ton.<br><br><br><strong> Here are some fun and trashy tips to help have a Body Positive Holiday!</strong><br> <ul> <li>
<strong>Holiday Bro</strong>- Pick a friend who knows that you struggle with body image to have on call in case you need a pep talk. It is always super duper great to know someone knows what you’re dealing with and they are there for you. During triggering times, it is helpful to know that you can get positive words from your holiday bro!</li>
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<strong>Do a Non Food Related Activity that a Beauty Pageant Contest would do</strong>- Volunteer at a homeless shelter, blog for a cool cause that does it for you, babysit for some of your cousins. Doing good helps you focus less on yourself of course it also just makes you feel awesome! Hopefully this will help you realize that the holidays are about more than food, but about connecting and reaching out to others!</li>
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<strong>Don’t Overbook/Be too Popular-</strong> Having 30 holiday plans within 1 week might sound hip <em>but in actuality it can be supa supa stressful and can be triggering.</em> Prioritize you and do whatever you need to do to have a relaxing and trashy awesome holiday! If that means sitting out from your grandmothers Christmas tree look-alike contest, then oh well!</li>
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<strong>RYB hopes these handy tips and tricks will make for a rockin' holiday season!</strong><br><br> </div><br> Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/33442972014-11-30T18:49:56-05:002017-01-13T14:45:00-05:00Holiday Survival Guide!The holidays are here! For some, that means decorations, family & friends, music, food, and festivities. However, for many people, the holiday season means just one thing: stress. The holidays can be especially difficult for those struggling with ED or for those in recovery.<br><br>One of the most important things to remember this season is that <em>you are not alone</em>. If you find yourself struggling, don't be afraid to reach out for help! You're worth it. It may also be important to give yourself permission to enjoy the celebrations. Give yourself permission to take part in festivities, and to enjoy yourself.<br><br>There are many resources out there this year for holiday support, but we wanted to share one of our favorites: The NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) Holiday Guide (to read, click on photo below):<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/sites/default/files/MakingConnections/volume7issue4/index.html" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/05fd2474df450aeef5c8c043e8cfc141da2ea328/original/making-connections-holiday-guide.png?1417391101" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></a><br>Another place to find support is through the NEDA helpline: <span style="color:#005daa; font-weight:bold">1-800-931-2237</span><br> <div>One thing is for sure, the more support you have around you, the better chance you'll have of enjoying the holiday season!</div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/31584432014-08-27T12:53:39-04:002017-01-13T14:45:00-05:00Body Positive Tips to Give to your Kids in the start of a new school year! written by Catherine WeingartenHey y’all! Hope everyone has had a super fun and rejuvenating summer! The end of the summer can be a bit sad. But at the same time there is something exhilarating about a new fall and having a new start. This blog post is all about getting one’s kids excited to start a new school year. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/cb0e97b388a44ff30953ea1b88da35ad4de4adb5/medium/ryb-bridgeday-smiley.jpg?1409162826" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" /><br>The beginning of a new school year can be stressful for kids because they are probably nervous about all their new teachers, which classes they are in and of course, social pressures. Will Kathy stop throwing random things at me this year? Will Johnny Johnson finally start dating me or is he more into my twin sister? These are probably some of the thoughts circulating through your youngster's brain. Another big concern on young people’s mind can be their weight and whether they look good for the start of the fall. <br><br>New school years are stressful enough without this weighty concern; so below I have listed some tips about how to help your child remain body positive and focused on more important matters like their studies and their friendships!!<ol> <li>
<u>Don’t make comments focused on your child’s appearance. </u> Instead focus on their qualities/skills, interests and sense of humor! If your child thinks that you value their appearance above all else, that could give them to impression that in order to please them, they have to change themselves.</li>
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<u>If your child engages in body shaming conversations about classmates; don’t hesitate to question why she is saying that.</u> It is not cool to judge people based on their looks, and if we are cruel to other people about body image; it could be a sign we body shame ourselves even more. There are so many awesome body shapes and sizes and the younger a child learns this, the better.</li>
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<u>Be careful about how you talk about your own body image</u>. If you are body positive and accepting about yourself, then your child can learn by example. Seeming extreme in your quest for good health can make your child paranoid about their own eating habits.</li>
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<u>Do fun bonding activities! </u> Make sure to do some activities that make your kid feel good about themselves like a manicure/pedicure or spa trip. Get your kid excited to go back to school and let them know that you are proud of them and all the work they have done to get to this point!</li>
</ol><br><br><br>Written by <a contents="Catherine Weingarten" data-link-label="Who We Are" data-link-type="page" href="/who-we-are">Catherine Weingarten</a>.<br><br>Catherine is <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/a73ea65f7862928ead8a6cca49252431b2d836d2/small/static-squarespace-com.png?1409166291" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" />a recent graduate of Bennington College where she focused in drama. Her one act play, Venus Mars and Torturous Change Your Life Intense Idealistic Love was a finalist in the school’s playwriting competition and was chosen and artistically directed by her playwriting professor, Sherry Kramer. Her short plays have been produced at such theaters as Project Y, Newborn Theatre Festival, Poetic Theater Productions, Wishbone Theater Collective and Piper Theater Productions. She is very passionate about positive body image activism and was an intern at <a contents="NEDA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">NEDA</a> and blogged for their teen site <a contents="Proud2bme.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://Proud2bme.org" target="_blank">Proud2bme.org</a>.<span> </span>She regularly explores themes of femininity, outsider-ness and body image in her playwriting work. Catherine is the resident playwright for Realize Your Beauty.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br> Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/31338952014-08-12T20:50:43-04:002014-08-12T20:50:43-04:00'Girls' Star Zosia Mamet opens up about EDIn the upcoming September issue of Glamour, <em>Girls</em> start Zosia Mamet opens up about her struggles with an Eating Disorder. In her brave and important article, Ms.Mamet shares how she found her way to recovery. <br><br>Thank you to <a contents="Glamour Magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2014/08/zosia-mamet-opens-up-about-her-eating-disorder?mbid=twitter_glamourdotcom" target="_blank">Glamour Magazine</a> for featuring this important article, and thank you to <a contents="Ms. Mamet" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/ZosiaRMamet" target="_blank">Ms. Mamet</a> for being brave enough to share your story. In Ms. Mamet's own words, "To battle this all-too-common beast, we've got to start talking."<br><br><strong>Please take a moment to read and share the article <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2014/08/zosia-mamet-opens-up-about-her-eating-disorder?mbid=twitter_glamourdotcom" target="_blank">here</a>. </strong>
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<br>"The first step, I think, is for those of us who are suffering to start talking about it: people like me, who have been diagnosed, and people who live in that gray area of "food control issues." We all suffer in some small way; we are all a little bit ashamed of that second cupcake. Let's diminish the stigma. Let's remind one another that we're beautiful. Maybe you'll help a friend. Maybe you'll help yourself. And if you're reading this and you're suffering, please know you're not alone. Tell someone: The people who love you will listen, I promise. And you'll feel better." - Zosia Mamet</div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/31209562014-08-03T12:27:09-04:002014-08-03T12:27:09-04:00Be Unlimited!We love this new ad by Old Navy! The ad is a music video that encourages students to keep reaching up towards their dreams. <br><br>How can you teach and encourage the students in your life to keep pushing forward?<br><br>Watch the video here:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="RybcC2ef2zg" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/RybcC2ef2zg/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RybcC2ef2zg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/30912632014-07-22T12:39:18-04:002017-01-13T14:44:59-05:00A New Kind of Summer - written by Catherine Weingarten Growing up, bathing suit season was something I feared. The summer brought with it a nice break from school, time to hang with my kinda boring friends and bathing suit season. Throughout the school year I had watched shows like “The O.C” where petite actress/models wore small colorful glittery bikinis and laughed, hair in the ocean, while they made out with random guys. Could I really be that hip during bathing suit season? Could I wear a glittery bikini and not feel self conscious? Could I sun bathe like a Victoria’s Secret Model and flirt like I was ripped out of a page of Cosmo?<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/ab9a9730667c7f72eb6671fff4e4f24dbdbe9d64/medium/5876407671-4e29310e51-b.jpg?1406047074" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" /><br><br>The answer was no; so I usually avoided the beach in general. One had to earn going to the beach with their sheer coolness, hot bod and self-confidence. This is an example of the problem with our “health obsessed” and “thin obsessed” culture. We are telling our young women that they should “earn” wearing a bikini. That in order to go the beach they should get a gym pass so they look like a random celeb like Miley Cyrus. We all are different shapes and sizes; and that shouldn’t dictate who is hot enough to swim. Every random chick who wants to swim should be able to swim (with some amount of dignity.) <br><br>I know that media and advertising are a big part of who is to blame for this issue. But we can also watch the way we talk about bathing suit season and try our best not to fat shame. By saying “why would she wear that bathing suit, ugh”; we are perpetuating the idea that only one body type can wear a bikini. Everyone can wear whatever bathing suit does it for them and we should support that; instead of question. In a culture where self hate towards our bodies is all too common; what’s one choice or action you can make to stop that? This is a question that is perpetually burning in my mind. But the truth is, does anyone want 13 year old girls going on extreme diets to wear bathing suits? I think not.<br> <br>These past few summers I have started to feel differently though. For the first time I have started to judge my body less and just start to like it…a ton. I want to wear a bikini because I think they are super fun. My friend bought me a super ridiculous pirate themed bikini with lots of gold on it and I have been wanting to wear it for a while. I decide to wear it today. For the first time I am ready to go to a beach and not compare myself to others in similar bathing suits. It has taken me a long long long time to get to this point; but I’ll tell you something, it feels marvelous.<br><br>Article written by Catherine Weingarten<br><br> Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/29145362014-05-02T00:01:32-04:002017-01-13T14:44:59-05:00Truth in Advertising Act: Petition for Change!! - written by Catherine WeingartenI remember when I was almost a teen and constantly picked up big, shiny, overly expensive fashion magazine and looked at the pictures of the fashion ads and just fell into the pictures. I felt like I Was looking at this perfect goddess like image of what I could be like. The sexy ideal chick. I knew she had a perfect life and probably just took lavender bubble baths and ate lavender chocolates while making out with her boyfriend; and she never gained weight, of course! For years this kind of images haunted me because I knew I could never be that girl.<br><br>We live in a culture that is bombarded by advertising and images of the ideal body and ideal way of life. Only problem is those ideals are hilariously impossible and usually photo-shopped to fit a Barbie like societal ideal. Also the self-esteem movement/body positive movement for young girls is much more on the down-low than the pressure to be perfect/be thin. That’s why RYB is super excited about the prospect of the <strong>Truth in Advertising </strong><strong>Act (</strong><a href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr4341"><strong>HR4341</strong></a><strong>). </strong>This is a potential legislation, fronted by dad, former advertising exec and activist, Seth Matlins that<strong> “</strong>would require the Federal Trade Commission to develop a regulatory framework for ads that materially change the faces and bodies of the people in them, in order to reduce the damage this type of advertising does to our children."<br><br>We need to advocate for advertisements that are realistic and not fake like a cartoon or new Barbie Doll! Eating disorders/disordered eating are incredibly common in young adults and depictions of woman in the media has been proven to be a major factor. One of the most exciting things about social media is our ability to create change by joining together and fighting for things we believe in! I want a world where young girls can read magazines and be like “wow, she looks lifelike and she looks beautiful!”<br> <br><strong>Sign the Change.org petition!!:</strong><br><br><a contents="here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.change.org/petitions/join-our-family-to-stop-advertising-that-hurts-our-children-support-hr4341-the-truth-in-advertising-act" target="_blank">https://www.change.org/petitions/join-our-family-to-stop-advertising-that-hurts-our-children-support-hr4341-the-truth-in-advertising-act</a><br> <br>Article written by <a contents="Catherine Weingarten" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://catherine-weingarten.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Catherine Weingarten</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/22e3c6799c9f7977f3042e6bbf5fc6950f7ef91a/original/ryb-notphotoshopped.png?1400117675" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br>Not Photoshopped!! <br>Blog Author & RYB Board Member Catherine, Cast Members Daniela & Starr</div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/28867002014-04-21T13:30:10-04:002014-04-21T13:46:16-04:00Happy In NYC!!Realize Your Beauty is so happy in NYC!! Thank you to Geoffrey Stevens for including us in this amazing project! What fun it was filming- we hope you enjoy. Follow the project and read the full post here: <a contents="Happy In NYC" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://happyinnyc.tumblr.com/post/83123895168/the-super-nice-folks-from-realize-your-beauty-are" target="_blank">Happy In NYC</a><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ZA18r5QkRsU" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ZA18r5QkRsU/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZA18r5QkRsU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/28308212014-03-30T22:15:51-04:002017-01-13T14:44:59-05:00Realize Your Beauty Day is getting closer!We're so excited for Realize Your Beauty Day 2014, coming up on April 28th! We already have Girl Scout Troops, University Clubs and Community Groups signed up to take part in the day. Will you join us? Check out the <a contents="RYB Day page" data-link-label="RYB Day!" data-link-type="page" href="/ryb-day">RYB Day page</a> to see how you can participate!<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="RYB Day!" data-link-type="page" href="/ryb-day"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/6ea4d8b2a9709a31d7be4648d9d69a6564ced3bd/medium/International-Realize-Your-Beauty-Day.jpg?1378475904" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/26259242014-02-23T10:21:11-05:002017-01-13T14:44:59-05:00NEDAW and 'House of Mirrors'Today kicks off the first day of NEDAW: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. RYB is proud to be partnering with NEDA for this very important week.<br><br>This year, we have a very special song to share. The song is called 'House of Mirrors' and was written and performed especially for Realize Your Beauty by Singer/Songwriter <a contents="Gretchen Witt" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.gretchenwitt.com/" target="_blank">Gretchen Witt</a>. This song reflects the feelings and experiences of many women, young and old, caught in the conflicting demands of today's complex world. The link to the free download is below:<br> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font_large"><a contents="'House of Mirrors' by Gretchen Witt." data-link-label="NEDAW 2014" data-link-type="page" href="/nedaw-2014" target="_blank">'House of Mirrors'</a> by Gretchen Witt.</span></strong></div><br>To find out more about NEDAW and how you can get involved, check out our special <a contents="NEDAW 2014" data-link-label="NEDAW 2014" data-link-type="page" href="/nedaw-2014">NEDAW 2014</a> page.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="NEDAW 2014" data-link-type="page" href="/nedaw-2014"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/85102fd5c0abeedcbd315c67bf5e13d1a3e1d7a2/medium/nedawarenessposter-web.jpg?1392647265" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/26240172014-02-21T16:24:47-05:002017-01-13T14:44:59-05:00Realize Your Beauty Day 2014!<div>
<span class="font_large"><strong>April 28, 2014</strong></span><br><br>We're so excited to announce this year's Realize Your Beauty Day! Activities are being planned all over the country to celebrate this special day. <br><br>RYB Day is <em>a day to celebrate what makes you uniquely beautiful</em>. You can participate as an individual or as a group. So get your Students, Girl Scout Troops, Sports Teams, Community Groups and friends together and start planning!<br><br>To sign up to participate, and for details and activity list, click on our special <a contents="RYB Webpage" data-link-label="RYB Day!" data-link-type="page" href="/ryb-day">RYB Webpage</a>!<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="RYB Day!" data-link-type="page" href="/ryb-day"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/2dcd29a3f3e50fd6b7c025face6d41c3b3d87eb6/original/realize-your-beauty-facebook-banner.jpg?1392927775" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a>
</div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/26238262014-02-21T16:01:13-05:002014-02-21T16:01:13-05:00Welcome New RYB Board Members!Realize Your Beauty is thrilled to announce our newest Board Members:<br><br><strong>Kellie Amend</strong> (Board President)<br><strong>Catherine Weingarten</strong> (Board Secretary)<br><strong>Tracy Jennissen</strong> (Board Member)<br><br>To read their bios, click <a contents="here" data-link-label="Who We Are" data-link-type="page" href="/who-we-are">here</a>.<br><br>Welcome aboard!Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/26237112014-02-21T15:54:01-05:002014-02-21T15:57:28-05:00Indwelling PerformanceRealize Your Beauty is honored to be included as a featured performer at this year's Indwelling event, hosted by the Women's Therapy Center Institute and Endangered Bodies NY. This year's Indwelling honors <strong>Dr. Leonore Tiefer</strong><span>, author, educator, researcher, therapist, and activist. Featured speakers and performers at this year's event include Realize Your Beauty, Poet <strong>Lily Meyers</strong> (</span><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://shapeswemake.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">bio</a>) <span>and <span><strong>Samantha Levine</strong></span><span>, formerly from Mayor Bloomberg's admin., creator the <a contents="NYC Girls Project" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://realizeyourbeauty.org/news/blog/nyc-girl-s-project" target="_blank">NYC Girls Project</a>.</span></span><br><br>The event details are as follows:<br><br> <div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span class="il">INDWELLING</span>: Living in a Female Body</strong><br>Saturday, February 22<br>1:00-3:00pm<br>Friends Meeting House<br>15 Rutherford Place @ East 15th Street<br> between 2nd & 3rd Avenues (a short walk from Union Square)<br>Suggested Donation: $25 / students $15</div><br>To view the event's webpage, click <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://wtci-nyc.org/page39/page39.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br><br> Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/24031422014-01-15T09:54:17-05:002020-10-06T06:51:22-04:00Plastic Surgery App for Kids: We're Not Buying ItOur over exposure to shocking and inappropriate stories in the media and online, makes it easy to become desensitized- so much so that their images rarely shock me anymore. <br><br>What I saw yesterday was an exception. I was outraged when I received an email from Endangered Bodies New York, a worldwide activist group of which Realize Your Beauty is part.<br> <br>The email was a call to action for an app that has been recently released. A “Plastic Surgery App” recommended for ages 9 and up and targeted towards children.<br> <br>Even as I write this now, I struggle to find the words to describe how abhorrent, inappropriate and outright dangerous this app is.<br> <br>The title of the app is “Plastic Surgery & Plastic Doctor & Plastic Hospital Office for Barbie version”, it was available on iTunes.<br> <br>The description of the app read (trigger warning): “This unfortunate girl has so much extra weight that no diet can help her. In our clinic she can go through a surgery called liposuction that will make her slim and beautiful. We’ll need to make small cuts on problem areas and suck out the extra fat. Will you operate her, doctor?”<br> <br>The extreme nature of this app made it clear that action was required immediately. As activist all around the world banded together to spread news of this “game” for children- word began to spread. There were emails sent around formulating a plan of action. People volunteered to start petitions, we all took to twitter and email and bombarded iTunes with messages voicing our concern- demanding the app be removed from the site.<br> <br>As the day drew to a close, we had word that iTunes had indeed removed the app, and it was no longer searchable or downloadable from their site.<br> <br>When you work in a field that requires activism, every day there is a ‘call to action’ to be made. Some post or some media story that we are called to stand up against or spread the word about. If you’re lucky, you slowly see changes being made. However, some days it can feel like an uphill battle.<br> <br>Yesterday however, something very inspiring took place. Rarely have I felt a more united front and had more tangible proof that our voices are making a difference.<br> <br>We are fighting for a world where children grow up learning to love and respect themselves and their bodies. More than this: a world where we all love and respect our bodies. I went to bed last night with renewed sense of hope- that we are not fighting a losing battle. That the work we are doing can indeed make a difference. Change can happen. <br> <br>I woke up this morning to find that this was not one app, as we had understood yesterday, but it seems a series of apps. It appears as of the time I’m writing this blog that one final plastic surgery ‘game’ aimed at children remains for download in the Apple store. <br> <br>And so we begin again- and I have full confidence that we will be successful in having this dangerous app removed. Change is possible.<br><br>- Stacey Lorin Merkl<br>Founder & Executive Director<br>Realize Your Beauty, Inc.<br> <br>For more information, please reference the following articles:<br><br><a contents="Plastic surgery app for nine-year-olds sparks outrage on Twitter: The Guardian" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/14/plastic-surgery-app-apple-google-children-twitter?CMP=twt_gu" target="_blank">Plastic surgery app for nine-year-olds sparks outrage on Twitter: The Guardian</a><br><br><a contents="Plastic surgery app for nine-year-olds sparks outrage online: The Independent" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/plastic-surgery-app-for-nineyearolds-sparks-outrage-online-9059013.html" target="_blank">Plastic surgery app for nine-year-olds sparks outrage online: The Independent</a><br> Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/18150912013-10-10T02:15:49-04:002017-01-13T14:44:58-05:00NYC Girl's Project!Mayor Bloomberg has become the first mayor in the country to launch a campaign entirely focused on raising self-esteem and healthy body-image in children, and we are absolutely thrilled! This wonderful campaign echos the mission of Realize Your Beauty, encouraging children to see themselves as beautiful, just as they are.<br><br>The campaign features a PSA and a series of images that encourage children to look at the beauty of their character, skills and attributes- not physical appearance.<br><br>You can find more information about the project here: <a contents="NYC Girl's Project" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/girls/html/home/home.shtml" target="_blank">NYC Girl's Project</a><br><br>Thank you Mayor Bloomberg for spearheading this very important campaign!<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/girls/html/campaign/campaign.shtml" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/6d9df49c95f343e1570cad929b6b293611310aa3/medium/ad4-large.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>(Image credit: <a contents="NYC Girls Project" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/girls/html/campaign/campaign.shtml" target="_blank">NYC Girls Project</a>)Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/6762222013-05-04T16:48:43-04:002013-05-04T16:48:43-04:00Thank You See Beautiful!!Realize Your Beauty sends a huge video "Thank You" to See Beautiful for all they do to spread beauty in this world! <br><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T42rcR6Tn6s" target="_new">www.youtube.com/watch</a><br><br>
For more information on this wonderful organization, please visit: <a href="http://www.seebeautiful.com">www.seebeautiful.com</a><br><br><br><br type="_moz">Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/3323782013-02-27T12:35:00-05:002017-01-13T14:44:58-05:00 Girl Scouts of Greater New York 100th Anniversary Bridge Crossing Event! Realize Your Beauty is thrilled to announce that we will be taking part in the Girl Scouts of Greater New York 100th Anniversary Bridge Crossing Event. This once-in-a-lifetime event will celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting in NYC!<br><br>Event Information: Sunday, June 2, 2013. 11am-5pm, Randall’s Island. For more information or to sign up to participate, please visit:<a href="http://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/events/100-100th-anniversary-bridge-crossing" target="_new"> www.girlscoutsnyc.org/events/100-100th-anniversary-bridge-crossing</a><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/events/100-100th-anniversary-bridge-crossing" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/8916/503365f7f557798c75ceed7054664e593657100a/medium/bridge-72dpi-for-web-original.jpg?1393942496" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/3323292013-02-24T12:05:00-05:002013-02-24T12:05:00-05:00NEDAW 2013Realize Your Beauty is proud to be participating in National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) 2013. This year, we will be participating in the form of a social media campaign on facebook and twitter (@bodylove_ryb), as well as a performance and workshop aimed at spreading awareness. <br><br>
From the NEDAW website: “NEDAwareness Week is the largest education and outreach effort on eating disorders in the United States, taking place February 24-March 2, 2013. The aim of NEDAwareness Week is to increase awareness and education about eating disorders and body image issues for effective recognition, early intervention and direction to care. <b><i>Everybody Knows Somebody</i></b> who has been affected. Everybody can get involved”.<br><br>
For more information about how you can get involved in this special week of awareness, visit the NEDAW Website at: <a href="http://nedawareness.org/" target="_new">nedawareness.org/</a><br><br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/2578802012-11-27T15:05:44-05:002017-02-01T19:36:07-05:00Realize Your Beauty on Brooklyn College Radio!Realize Your Beauty was recently featured on the Foster Care program on Brooklyn College Radio. <br><br>
To hear the interview in it's entirety, check out this link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L-NgnozL4A" target="_new">www.youtube.com/watch</a><br><br>
Some highlights:<br><br>
min 2:30 Some reasons why RYB uses Theatre Arts to get our<br>
message across.<br>
min 3:24-4:30 Explains why RYB works specifically with Children/Adolescents.<br>
min 7:53 How to set up a workshop with RYB.<br>
min 9:30 Shout out to the amazing RYB Cast members!<br>
min 11:15sec A very special story from a recent workshop in Brooklyn.<br><br>
And finally, min 13:15 closes the segment with a message about what it means to be your most beautiful!<br><br>
Special thanks to Beth Foster for having us on her program. Check out their facebook page here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Foster-Care/294294883930288?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_new">www.facebook.com/pages/Foster-Care/294294883930288</a><br><br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/2538702012-11-19T09:40:00-05:002012-11-19T09:40:00-05:00"I Have A Voice in This World"Realize Your Beauty is thrilled to have been invited to speak at the Leadership Conference held by the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Girls Embracing Maturity (GEM) Program. This year's theme is "I Have A Voice In This World" and will be held on November 20, 2012. RYB is very much looking forward to taking part in the event!<br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/2235412012-10-01T17:45:00-04:002012-10-01T17:45:00-04:00Featured Non-Profit of the Month by See Beautiful!Realize Your Beauty is honored to share that we have been selected as the October Non-Profit of the Month by See Beautiful! See Beautiful is a movement that exists to see and spread beauty in this world. We are very humbled to be featured on their site. For more information on See Beautiful, visit: <a target="_new" href="http://www.seebeautiful.com">www.seebeautiful.com</a> To read their lovely write up on Realize Your Beauty, visit: <a target="_new" href="http://seeabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/2012/10/october-brings-so-much-beauty.html">seeabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/2012/10/october-brings-so-much-beauty.html</a><br type="_moz">Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/2091002012-09-04T05:55:00-04:002012-09-04T05:55:00-04:00Realize Your Beauty 1st Annual Fundraising Walk in Central Park, NYC!On Sat., September 1st 2012, Realize Your Beauty held their 1st Annual Fundraising Walk in Central Park, NYC. It was a beautiful day for a 5k walk! The walk signified the end of a month long fundraising event, and it was a great success! We raised nearly $1,600 for our programs from generous family, friends and corporate supporters. We also spent the month raising awareness about Realize Your Beauty and our mission. <br><br><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you so much to everyone who made a contribution to this fundraising event, helped raise money, or came out to Central Park to walk in support of Realize Your Beauty! It is because of your support that our programming is possible. THANK YOU!!!</div>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/2090772012-08-20T05:25:00-04:002012-08-20T05:25:00-04:00Yes She Can! Girls Take Back Their Education Summit 2012Realize Your Beauty was thrilled to take part in the "Yes She Can! Girls Take Back Their Education Summit 2012" in collaboration with Girls Inc. of NYC and the Brooklyn Girls Collaborative. The Summit was a day filled day with interactive workshops, activities, performances, and a discussion forum with elected officials surrounding the issue of equity in education. The Summit was held at the Urban Assembly Institute in Brooklyn, NY on August 17, 2012. <br><br>
Realize Your Beauty had the privilege of leading two performances/workshops throughout the course of the day, and participating in the rest of the day's activities. The girls were amazing, and it was such a pleasure to connect with so many wonderful organizations such as viBe Theater Experience, SPARK Summit and HollaBack!.<br><br>
We can't wait to take part in the next Summit!<br><br><a target="_new" href="http://girlsincnyc.org/yesshecan.htm">girlsincnyc.org/yesshecan.htm</a><br><br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/1704672012-05-05T14:00:00-04:002012-05-05T14:00:00-04:00Girl Scouts of Greater New York 2012 Leader Extravaganza!Realize Your Beauty was honored to take part in the Girl Scouts of Greater New York 2012 Leader Extravaganza. Held at the Girl Scouts of the USA National Headquarters in NYC on May 5, 2012, it was a wonderful day spent with leaders from all over New York City. <br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/785652012-02-28T02:27:12-05:002012-02-28T02:27:12-05:00NEDAW 2012Sunday kicked off NEDAW (National Eating Disorders Awareness Week). In participation, Realize Your Beauty is raising awareness this week about Eating Disorders via social media. We will add a new post everyday to our facebook page and our twitter account (@bodylove_ryb). For more information about eating disorders please visit NEDA's website: <a href="http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_new">http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/</a><br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/1014322011-05-31T18:55:00-04:002011-05-31T18:55:00-04:00Realize Your Beauty, Inc. is now a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizationI wanted to share our very exciting news: our application for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status has been approved by the IRS and our application to be registered as a charitable organization pursuant to Form CHAR410 has been approved by New York State making us a fully exempt organization at both the federal and state level.<br><br><b>What does this mean?<br></b><br>
This means that Realize Your Beauty, Inc. is now able to fully function as a not for profit corporation without the need of a fiscal sponsor. We are now able to accept donations, fundraise, apply and receive grants all under our own status. All contributions made to Realize Your Beauty are now tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.<br><br><b>Wasn't Realize Your Beauty, Inc. already a not-for-profit corporation?<br></b><br>
Yes. Being a non-profit and having tax-exempt status are two different things. Our status as a not-for-profit corporation was approved by New York State when we were incorporated. Being a non-profit organization means that the purpose of the company is not to make money, but to fulfill our mission. The IRS and New York State have now approved our application for full tax-exempt status.<br><br><i>Now, more than ever, Realize Your Beauty is looking forward to implementing our programs and getting our message heard!<br></i>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/842802010-08-10T06:50:00-04:002021-04-21T13:11:13-04:00Incorporation!Very exciting news to share: we found out today that our Certificate of Incorporation was accepted by New York State!<br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/842792010-07-27T06:45:00-04:002010-07-27T06:45:00-04:00RYB approved by NYS Department of EducationRealize Your Beauty has been approved by the New York State Department of Education. Next step: Incorporation!<br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/842782010-07-08T06:45:00-04:002010-07-08T06:45:00-04:00Fiscal sponsorship application acceptedOur application for fiscal sponsorship has been accepted by Fractured Atlas. What this means is that we can now begin fundraising and moving forward!<br>Realize Your Beautytag:www.realizeyourbeauty.org,2005:Post/842772010-06-28T06:40:00-04:002010-06-28T06:40:00-04:00RYB teams with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, prepares for fiscal sponsorship and incorporationRealize Your Beauty has teamed with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and was paired with a wonderful pro bono lawyer who has been helping us with all of our paperwork. Application for Fiscal Sponsorship was sent in today and I meet with the lawyer tomorrow to officially file our incorporation papers with New York State. Wish us luck!<br>Realize Your Beauty