I’m defiantly NOT PRO diet! Diet culture preys on women and their insecurities. It creates the belief that women are unworthy unless they look a certain way. And creates unresisting expectations! Even if all of us followed the same exercise and nutrition program, we would all look differently!
However, I’m also not pro anti-diet. I feel like it is the opposite extreme of the spectrum. I totally agree with this statement “The problem with anti-diet messaging is it is still telling women what to do with their bodies” by Chloe Madeley.
There is a middle ground, and that’s where I stand.
I’m pro-choice. I believe that women have a right to do with their bodies whatever they want. It’s their body.
Saying that I also believe that why they want to change it and how they will go about it is crucial.
Do you want to change your body because you hate it or because you think you should fit a certain standard, or because you think you need to get your pre-baby body back? Do you want to change your body to please someone else? To feel more desirable?
If the answer is yes, these are probably not the best reasons, and you might have to work on your relationship with your body first.
Also, how are you going to go about it? Are you restricting your food and following a crazy fitness regime? And keep looking for that next miracle pill?
Are your goals realistic?
These are all really important questions to ask yourself. And I really encourage you to answer them. Really think about it and be honest with yourself.
It’s possible to want to change your body without hating it and obsessing about it. But you need to be ready to let go of the outcome (you can’t control this) and focus on the process instead (this you can control).
I have body composition goals, but I don’t hate my body. I also don’t do it because I think I should look a certain way or want to please anyone (not anymore anyway). I just like having muscles on my body. And I like to look and feel strong. So I eat and train accordingly to my goal.
Am I starving myself, restricting food, or overtraining to achieve that goal?! NO
I also think about it as a long term goal, instead of “I want to have a six-pack for summer” (btw, I don’t actually want a six-pack).
Am I enjoying the process? YES
Do I feel restricted? NO (I’m actually eating more and training less than in the past!)
Am I realistic about my goals? YES
Do what you want with your body. It’s yours. However, remember you only have one body, so be kind to it and resentful. Identify what’s right for you. Dieting might not be the right goal right now. And that’s ok. Or maybe it is. And that’s ok too. Just do it for the right reasons and the smart way. And understand that without, the inner work the outer work won’t give you happiness.
And remember, body trends change, so just do you! And what’s best for you.
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