Actress and author Candice Cameron Bure has shared her ongoing struggles with body image, a challenge she’s faced since her teenage years with bulimia, and she continues to grapple with it today.
Bure discussed these issues in recent episodes of the Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, alongside guest host Lisa Whittle. Their conversation delved into the complexities of body image.
During one moment in the podcast, Bure became emotional, expressing, “I’m 49 years old. Why am I still thinking about this? It seems ridiculous, yet here I am.” She emphasized the importance of the discussion they were having.
Bure revealed that she developed an eating disorder at 18, which involved cycles of bingeing and purging.
“I still identify with bulimia. Even if I’m not actively engaging in those behaviors, it still lingers in my mind. I need to tell myself, ‘No, Candice, we’re not going there.'”
She noted that her struggles with body image began in her upbringing.
“My mother was always on a diet, as were my sisters, and I felt that pressure too. It was a family habit—something we did to prevent issues. But that environment shaped how I viewed my body.”
Bure recounted feeling inadequate when comparing herself to her co-star Andrea Barber, who was “taller and slimmer.” Ironically, Bure later found out that Barber had her own insecurities about being thin.
Bure humorously likened her conversations with Whittle to therapy, admitting she still has physical goals she’s working toward.
“I’ll turn 50 next year, and I’m collaborating on a project aimed at achieving a physical goal for that milestone,” she revealed.
However, she also faced criticism from some fans regarding her comments about body image in the podcast, which led her to address the backlash in a subsequent episode. She stressed that everyone has their struggles, regardless of their appearance.
“Some people commented, ‘Candace, you’re slim and have a great body. How can you complain?’ But it’s not about how I look. I have my own feelings about my body, whether I’m 5 pounds lighter or heavier. Just because someone appears to have it all doesn’t mean they aren’t facing their own challenges.”
Whittle resonated with this sentiment and referred to biblical teachings related to self-image.
“In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, it emphasizes the importance of our spirit, soul, and body. Too often, we focus on external appearance instead of nurturing our inner self.”
Bure wiped away tears as she absorbed Whittle’s insights.
“It remains a struggle for me, but I find freedom in this journey. I often think about the years I’ve spent worrying over things that ultimately don’t serve my relationship with God.”
“And let me remind you, nothing is perfect here, and it never will be,” she added. “Our true hope lies beyond this life.”
