I'm a woman fueled by fire and passion. I'm also a woman whose prior quietness over this issue has continued to fade day by day. I'm unafraid and unapologetic to speak up. My specific fueling fire happens to be in accordance with my past experience with an eating disorder that has then led to knowledge of the detriment of this diet-obsessed culture that we live in. Eating Disorders affect 30 million people (both men and women) and have the highest rate of mortality among all mental illness. I’m aware that culture is not the sole reason for eating disorders, but it does seem to almost encourage this disordered eating. Therefore, I'm unapologetic about this post. I'm unapologetic because I know the detriment of a society that is engulfed in diet and restriction.
Today, I heard 3 different comments that validated my idea that we live in a diet-obsessed culture. Comments expressing belief that restriction needs to take place after holiday and that sit-ups are the cure to all. I started to feel that fire in my soul burning, and burning deep. My heart was on fire because it was full of sadness, anger and confusion. Why do we believe this? Why do we believe in a culture that creates us to almost innately believe that restriction, avoidance of sugar, and other diet restrictive programs are natural, expected and even good? Why do I look like the crazy one because I couldn't disagree with any of this more? If you didn't already know where I was going with this, I'm completely against diets of any kind for many reasons. Our culture leads us down a road of destruction through shaming diet programs and the expectation of "thinness". Statistically speaking, the truth is that 95% of diets don't work. When we enter this cycle of dieting we are led down a road of destruction and shame. Because when we fail this diet, culture tells us that we have failed because we lack self-control or strong will and it's us who are the problem. NO. Diets are the problem. Dieting leads us to believe that we need to change or restrict our life and our bodies, ultimately leading to not only a restrictive diet, but also a restrictive lifestyle.
Culture tells us that we'll be better when we start dieting. Cut out sugar and you'll be happy, or lose 25 pounds and you'll be happy. Little girls and boys grow up to believe that "fill in the blank" is a bad food and only "fill in the blank" is a good food. I'm a firm believer that there are no good and bad foods. Our society has labeled this for us. Which has in turn labeled us a culture that believes in dieting and restriction. We're governed by dieting, weight loss, comparison and expectation and to be honest I’m not a fan.
I disagree with the diet culture because I have been affected by it. I have come close to death because of an eating disorder, and to most, I was thin so it was okay. I disagree with the diet culture because those I love have been affected by it. People I love are worried about being enough because culture teaches them that they’re not. They’re taught that their worth is in pounds or inches or looks. I’m speaking out because I refuse to believe that the size of my thighs is more important than the size of my heart. I’m speaking out because I disagree with the fact that the size of my jeans or what I ate in one day reflects my worth. I’m speaking out because I don’t want my little sisters to grow up questioning their worth based on their size or what they look like. I’m speaking out because you people are SO much more than what society tells you you are.
Today, I heard 3 different comments that validated my idea that we live in a diet-obsessed culture. Comments expressing belief that restriction needs to take place after holiday and that sit-ups are the cure to all. I started to feel that fire in my soul burning, and burning deep. My heart was on fire because it was full of sadness, anger and confusion. Why do we believe this? Why do we believe in a culture that creates us to almost innately believe that restriction, avoidance of sugar, and other diet restrictive programs are natural, expected and even good? Why do I look like the crazy one because I couldn't disagree with any of this more? If you didn't already know where I was going with this, I'm completely against diets of any kind for many reasons. Our culture leads us down a road of destruction through shaming diet programs and the expectation of "thinness". Statistically speaking, the truth is that 95% of diets don't work. When we enter this cycle of dieting we are led down a road of destruction and shame. Because when we fail this diet, culture tells us that we have failed because we lack self-control or strong will and it's us who are the problem. NO. Diets are the problem. Dieting leads us to believe that we need to change or restrict our life and our bodies, ultimately leading to not only a restrictive diet, but also a restrictive lifestyle.
Culture tells us that we'll be better when we start dieting. Cut out sugar and you'll be happy, or lose 25 pounds and you'll be happy. Little girls and boys grow up to believe that "fill in the blank" is a bad food and only "fill in the blank" is a good food. I'm a firm believer that there are no good and bad foods. Our society has labeled this for us. Which has in turn labeled us a culture that believes in dieting and restriction. We're governed by dieting, weight loss, comparison and expectation and to be honest I’m not a fan.
I disagree with the diet culture because I have been affected by it. I have come close to death because of an eating disorder, and to most, I was thin so it was okay. I disagree with the diet culture because those I love have been affected by it. People I love are worried about being enough because culture teaches them that they’re not. They’re taught that their worth is in pounds or inches or looks. I’m speaking out because I refuse to believe that the size of my thighs is more important than the size of my heart. I’m speaking out because I disagree with the fact that the size of my jeans or what I ate in one day reflects my worth. I’m speaking out because I don’t want my little sisters to grow up questioning their worth based on their size or what they look like. I’m speaking out because you people are SO much more than what society tells you you are.