As a child, I found solace in writing down my thoughts, dreams, and feelings in numerous journals. These pages served as a comforting refuge where I could express myself freely and set intentions. Recently, while cleaning out a closet, I stumbled upon a box filled with these journals, and what I discovered shattered my heart.
Tears fell as I read entries from my younger self, fixated solely on losing weight. I meticulously recorded every morsel I consumed and promised myself to “get back on track” after any indulgent weekend. The Weight Watchers points system appeared repeatedly, alongside harsh self-criticism whenever I strayed from my dieting goals.
For over 15 years, I set one major New Year’s resolution: to lose as much weight as possible. Each January, I would embark on a strict eating regimen and commit to intense exercise in hopes of achieving that elusive satisfaction. Yet, it never came. Year after year, December 31st would arrive, and my resolution would remain unchanged—lose weight, no matter what.
Here’s the painful truth: during all those years of striving for weight loss, I was already living in a naturally slender body. I was grappling with an eating disorder, an addiction to diet pills, body dysmorphia, and crushing low self-esteem. As a young girl, I absorbed every damaging message from magazines, television, and adult conversations suggesting that thinness equated to health, beauty, and worth.
The societal pressure to lose weight is immense, especially at the start of a new year. It’s seen as the perfect opportunity for many to recommit to dieting. However, the reality is stark; research shows that 95% of diets fail, with many weight loss programs banking on clients regaining the weight to ensure their return. This cycle can lead to disordered eating habits, as more people recognize that constant food monitoring often spirals into unhealthy behaviors.
Interestingly, the concept of New Year’s resolutions dates back over 4,000 years to the Babylonians, who made promises to their gods during a 12-day festival, including returning borrowed items and paying debts. They believed that keeping these resolutions would grant them good luck in the year ahead. Unlike today’s weight loss resolutions, those early intentions were steeped in religious significance and guilt, often compelling individuals to reflect on past failures.
Fast forward to today, and many of us indulge during the holiday season only to feel the need to “make up” for it by vowing to lose weight come January. But we owe no apologies for our bodies. They support us through life, and we often ignore their needs due to the damaging ideals of diet culture.
The diet industry is a massive money-maker, pulling in about $72 billion a year. In the last decade alone, the Federal Trade Commission has pursued numerous companies for misleading weight loss claims. Even notable brands have shifted their marketing strategies to create lifelong members, which effectively turns weight loss into a never-ending race.
I’ve since released the grip of weight loss from my life, allowing me to heal from a cycle of shame and self-loathing. This shift has opened doors for me to embrace self-love, focus on mental health, and pursue genuine goals. I abandoned New Year’s resolutions altogether three years ago, realizing they often brought more stress than joy. Instead, I choose to cultivate self-acceptance and compassion throughout the entire year.
As the year comes to a close, consider giving yourself compassion. Enjoy your favorite foods, laugh freely, and perhaps, instead of setting a weight loss goal, aim for something more fulfilling or simply allow yourself to be. If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out our post on home insemination. For more practical information on this topic, you can visit Make a Mom, or refer to the CDC’s excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, it’s time to liberate ourselves from the pressures of dieting and unrealistic body standards. Embrace your body, love yourself, and live authentically without the constraints of societal expectations.
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