Body Acceptance Today's culture says if you just
try hard enough, you can be thin... but many of us know that the more
we try to diet and "manage" our weight, the more obsessed we become.
Why would we choose methods- calorie counting, weighing to determine
success, labeling foods good/bad, etc.- that we would consider
disordered if done by thin people?
Top 5 Reasons to NOT try to lose weight by dieting
1)
It doesn't work. People end up regaining at least the weight they lost
after 2-5 years regardless of the diet used according to most follow-up
studies
2) It gives the false hope that life can be postponed until after "the diet" when supposedly all will be better.
3)
It continues the dysfunction that acceptance is based upon a number on
the scale rather than the inner qualities of the person.
4) It gives people the illusion that they can control and choose their body size and that genetics play no role.
5)
It postpones developing a genuine and balanced relationship with food
that includes eating when hungry and stopping when full.
What to do instead
1) Accept your body the way it is.
2)
Focus on caring for your body- eat nutritious foods, move your body as
it feels comfortable, get enough sleep, have friends to rely on, etc.
3) Learn skills to manage emotions and develop healthy relationships as needed.