UF alumna, students produce video to show body-positivity

When Liz Getman was 19, she struggled with anorexia.

At 25, it almost killed her.

Now 29, the UF alumna has channeled her fight into a video spotlighting self-love, in recogniztion of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, held Feb. 26 to March 4, she said.

With the support of friends and family, she recovered in 2014 and has learned to value her body.

She wanted to create a positive video to help destigmatize eating disorders.

Getman, who graduated from UF in 2015 with a master’s degree in Latin-American studies, worked with five UF journalism and communications students and UF professor Iman Zawahry to produce the one-minute video, which includes people of different races, religions and body types holding handmade signs displaying something they like about their bodies. .

They dance and laugh with one another, proudly displaying their happiness.

“We are all strong, capable beings,” Getman said. “It’s important to reflect on our own sense of worth.”

The video was posted on Zawahry’s Facebook page Tuesday and has been viewed more than 5,200 times as of Thursday

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week was organized by the National Eating Disorders Association to bring attention to the disorders and promote recovery resources.

Trevor Storch, 21, is seen toward the end of the video with his shirt off and muscles flexed.

“I’m sexy” is scrawled in purple ink on his torso. While helping to create the video, the UF telecommunication senior agreed to be part of it to show support.

Storch said he’s been skinny all his life and still has moments of negative self-image. He hopes people of all genders find a positive message in the video.

“No matter where you’re from, what you look like, how old you are, how young you are — love yourself, and others around you will love you as well,” he said.

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