Sometimes, it can be challenging to face ourselves in the mirror. Does this mean we have failed? Absolutely not (despite the misconception that falling off the wagon equates to failure). What I’ve come to realize is that there is no wagon, no clearly defined start and finish. There is only one continuous journey, and that’s our personal journey. We will experience good days and bad days, with plenty more to come. This is our life, whether we decide to make changes tomorrow, next Monday, or on January 1st. For far too long, I’ve lived in extremes, constantly switching between all-or-nothing approaches. It was either eating healthy or indulging in binge eating, running long distances or completely avoiding exercise for weeks. Why is it so challenging to find a balance?
A Lifetime Intention – Not Just a Resolution
So, am I setting a New Year’s Resolution? No, I’m setting a life intention. One that I know won’t come easily, but one that will lead me towards the path I truly desire. I choose to transform my relationship with food. I choose to adopt a different mindset towards food and exercise – one that nourishes my soul rather than focusing solely on weight gain or loss.
What if instead of subtracting from our lives and fixating on our so-called “flaws,” we focused on adding more of what we truly need? What if our priority wasn’t about shrinking portions, cutting out carbs, or burning calories, but about giving ourselves MORE to thrive? The answer is simple: We would live life to the fullest, love our bodies, and occupy the space we rightfully deserve – mentally, emotionally, and physically. By defying diet culture, we’d establish healthy habits that replenish us instead of draining us. Our weight would naturally regulate and stay off. – Excerpt from “Give Yourself MORE” by George Fear & K. Aleisha Fetters
Unlearning Diet Culture
There’s no denying that breaking free from the clutches of diet culture and letting go of constant self-doubt and scrutiny over everything we eat will be a challenge. But I’ve come to realize that I can’t continue this never-ending cycle of yo-yo dieting for the next 40 years. I genuinely love food, and I want to savor it for its satisfaction rather than using it as a means to feel bad about myself. I enjoy exercising, but why not go for a run simply for the joy of running instead of obsessing over burning a specific number of calories to create a caloric deficit? It may not be the easiest path, but I’m willing to give it a try. After all, my weight loss New Year’s resolutions have never been sustainable in the past.
Remember, New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t be about setting ourselves up for failure or falling into the traps of harmful diet culture. It’s about making lifelong commitments to our well-being and approaching food and exercise with kindness and self-compassion. Let’s embrace a balanced way of living that nourishes both our bodies and our souls.
