Welcome to FINDINGbalance
Who We Are
FINDINGbalance is a faith-based 501(c)(3) non-profit health and wellness organization with an emphasis on eating and body image issues. We are also the first national organization dedicated to creating consumer awareness and understanding of EDNOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified).
Don’t let that clinical-sounding term scare you; we’re basically referring to the most common types of eating issues, such as compulsive overeating, chronic dieting, emotional eating, and organic food obsessions. Eating issues like these are viewed as normal in our modern culture, but that doesn’t mean we have to succumb to them.
Our Mission
To remove the stigma surrounding eating and body image issues, promote prevention, and empower those who struggle to find a Christ-centered path to freedom.
Why We Exist
In April of 2008, Self magazine reported on a study done with Cynthia Bulik, PhD – a specialist in the field of eating disorders - which indicated that 75% of women had eating issues of some kind. Only 10% of those qualified for the types of eating disorders we often hear about, such as anorexia and bulimia. This means that a whopping 65% of women may fall into the EDNOS category, regardless of the fact that they may never have heard of it. A similar study with men has not yet been done, but we know they struggle too.
In the article that introduced the study, the following six categories were used to describe the majority of disordered eaters:
Calorie prisoners are terrified of gaining weight, tend to see food as good or bad and feel extremely guilty if they indulge in something that's off-limits.
Secret eaters binge on junk food at home, in the car—wherever they won't be found out.
Career dieters may not know what to eat without a plan to follow; despite their efforts, they're more likely than other types to be overweight or obese.
Purgers are obsessed with ridding their body of unwanted calories and bloat by using laxatives, diuretics or occasional vomiting.
Food addicts eat to soothe stress, deal with anger, even celebrate a happy event; they think about food nearly all the time.
Extreme exercisers work out despite illness, injury or exhaustion and solely for weight loss; they are devastated if they miss a session.
(Self Magazine, April 2008)
Perhaps you find yourself in one of these categories? If so, you are not alone. And you don’t have to stay where you are.
How We Can Help
The staff and board of Fb represents more than a hundred years’ worth of collective experience in working with women and men with eating issues of all kinds. Our team includes both professional and lay experts. We’ve seen firsthand the devastating effect eating issues can have on a person’s relationships, self-image, and purpose. But we’ve also seen the incredible freedom that is to be found as a healing path is pursued. Our website, books, curriculum and other resources are designed to help you find hope for healing, and practical steps for walking toward that hope.
We Believe...
- People of all sizes, wrestling with any form of eating issue, deserve to have resources available to them to help them learn about and overcome their unique struggles with eating and weight control.
- Food and weight obsessions are addictive, and left unchecked can affect all aspects of our lives.
- Carelessness with how we eat and take care of our bodies is also an unhealthy extreme.
- While legalistic approaches to eating and weight control are problematic and should be avoided, it is also important and appropriate to learn how to take good care of the bodies God gave us.
- By being honest about our struggles with food, we eliminate the isolation of secrecy and shame.
- Finding freedom requires examining and addressing all areas of who we are: emotionally, intellectually, physically, relationally and spiritually.
- It IS possible to break free and to experience a much richer life than disordered eating allows!
- None of us has to do it alone - God's help is available to guide us on our journey to freedom.
The "God" Stuff...
Our work at FINDINGbalance is founded on Christian principles because we believe that understanding and embracing God’s truth provides a necessary foundation for true freedom. We recognize that not everyone shares the Christian faith, however, and we welcome the opportunity to serve all who struggle with eating and body image issues, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. Additionally, because we seek to present the best and most balanced perspective available, it is important to note that not all of the experts featured on our site share our Christian worldview. They all, however, represent excellence in their particular field, which is why they're here.
Long Term Vision
While much progress has been made in the area of awareness, prevention, resources and treatment for eating issues, we believe there is still far to go. We look forward to partnering with other experts and organizations in the field to expand offerings on a local level for pre- and post- treatment care, as well as to increase curriculum and resources, particularly from a Christian perspective, for easy use by those in a church or college setting. For more about where we’re going as an organization, click here.
Be a Part of It
There are lots of ways to help support our mission. You can donate funds, join our prayer list, or be a “mouthpiece” for our work. Learn more in the Donate part of our site.
and stay connected!
