Content note: weight, diet and food talk
Don't get me wrong, I would probably have had pizza anyway, but now I feel extra justified in my choice.
I gave up dieting a year or so ago, and decided that I was going to try and love my body, no matter what shape it takes. It's not been an easy task. I will admit, I still own a scale, and I still step on it from time to time. Some days i take the number i see with a grain of salt. Other days, It's hard not to fall into a pattern of self-loathing. Mostly, I'm trying harder these days to try and listen to my body and what it wants. I believe it's called intuitive eating.
In retrospect, when I look back on the 5+ years I spent actively trying to lose weight, the health benefits that I experienced during that period came not from the weight loss itself, but by my increase in physical activity and some improved eating habits. That is to say, I think I benefitted from the good stuff I added to my nutritional intake during that time, rather than the "bad" which I had taken away.
By the way, can we stop ascribing labels like "good" and "bad" to food? This lends itself to labelling ourselves as "good" and "bad" when we allow ourselves certain indulgences.
But anyway, I digress. The fact that I was able to walk faster, run further and do more physically, I now believe came from the fact that I was making my body stronger, rather than making it smaller.
These are the things that I try to concentrate on now during my recovery process. I concentrate on reducing my negative self-talk and avoiding in engaging in diet talk with others.
Learning about fat positivity has helped me, after 30+ years, to stop feeling like less than because I don't fit into a size 8 or into societal expectations. I no longer feel like I need to deprive myself of things other, more slender people take for granted, simply because my body processes food differently than others.
I've learned that clothes are supposed to fit your body, not the other way around. If my pants don't fit, I don't try to force my body to change; I change my pants instead.
Links
Great Fat Positive Blogs and Resources
This is Thin Privilege
The Fat Nutritionist
Dances With Fat
Tutus and Tiny Hats
Friend of Marilyn
This is Thin Privilege
The Fat Nutritionist
Dances With Fat
Tutus and Tiny Hats
Friend of Marilyn
 |
| Source |
 |
| Source |
No diet day is a good idea every day. As you say, exercise is more beneficial . I disagree about 'good' and 'bad' foods as there is no sense in denying that chemical additives and trans fats are bad for us but agree it is unproductive to beat oneself up over a reasonable amount of indulgence. So long as one is healthy, body shape is of no consequence and obsessing about it is silly
ReplyDelete