Rejecting Diet Culture — Embrace Your Body

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You see it everywhere: phrases like “Want to shed those pandemic pounds?” or promotions for a “beach-ready body.” Who else is fed up with this nonsense? Sure, I might have gained a few pounds during the past year, but I don’t need constant reminders. When I think about my weight gain, I remember being cooped up at home with my kids, indulging in baking sweet treats and cooking hearty meals. And you know what? I’m grateful to be alive, and I don’t care what my body looks like.

Every day, I’m bombarded with commercials pushing diets, shakes, and pills. It’s exhausting. Women aren’t encouraged to celebrate their curves, stretch marks, or imperfections; instead, we’re conditioned to loathe our bodies. The prevalence of diet culture is alarming. Recent statistics show that 49% of Americans have been on a diet, with 56% of women admitting to dieting. Why? Because we’re told that thinner equals better, and beauty is only for those who fit a narrow mold. This view is not just distorted; it’s downright harmful.

We’re saturated with images of seemingly perfect bodies, setting unrealistic standards for how we should look. Living in a society that idolizes appearance makes it seem unacceptable to be a regular mom whose body has changed after having children. There’s nothing inherently wrong with flabby arms or a belly. Those “ideal” bodies are often enhanced with Photoshop and filters, and when unedited images surface, the individuals scramble to mitigate the damage. This obsession with appearance is contagious, impacting everyone who views their curated social media profiles. It’s a vicious cycle.

When will we accept that every body is beautiful? Our bodies have important functions. They nurture children, carry groceries, and prepare meals. They are not designed to be perfect; they are meant to be functional. Yet, we’ve lost that perspective. Instead, we’re on a relentless quest for improvement, and it’s exhausting.

It’s incredibly unfair. Why can’t we just be happy with ourselves? Does having a smaller size equate to happiness? Can you still be a great mom if you wear a size 16? Absolutely. There’s nothing wrong with that.

According to the Boston Medical Center, around 45 million Americans embark on a diet each year, spending a staggering $33 billion on weight loss products. Yes, billions! This encompasses everything from gym memberships to gimmicky devices and dubious pills. Americans are obsessed with being someone they’re not, and the situation is worsening.

Diet culture — the idea that prioritizes thinness over health — is damaging. Even if you’re perfectly healthy with a little extra weight, society conditions you to feel dissatisfied. You’re expected to strive for smaller clothes and opt for lighter dressings. Diet culture wants you to live in a constant cycle of restriction and self-judgment. And, let’s face it, many of us do.

Eating disorders are on the rise, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Eating Disorders Association reported a 41% increase in calls to their helplines in January 2021 compared to January 2020. This surge is partly due to increased isolation, depression, and social media highlighting pandemic weight gain. It’s disheartening to see people mocked for gaining weight during difficult times.

So, what can you do? Avoid falling into the diet culture trap. Skip the social media posts lamenting your weight gain. Don’t waste time scrolling through before-and-after weight loss photos. There’s no miracle diet; no one will lose 20 pounds a week healthily. A pill won’t make you flawless. In fact, you’re likely to feel worse if you keep chasing an unattainable ideal. Instead, embrace your body. Body positivity is empowering. Recognize your beauty every day.

As we emerge from a global pandemic, we’ve experienced tremendous loss. Many of us have friends and family who didn’t survive COVID-19. Our world has changed forever. But if you’re still here, celebrate that! You may look a little different now, but who cares? Enjoy your summer in shorts and swimsuits, have fun with your kids, and appreciate the life you have. There are far worse things than a few extra pounds.

If you want to lose weight, do it healthily. But if not, who cares? You don’t owe anyone a specific body shape. You have one life to live — make it in a body you love. For more insights on this topic, check out this related blog post about embracing your body and explore Make a Mom for expert advice on home insemination. For further information on pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is excellent.

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Summary: Diet culture pressures individuals to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, leading to unhealthy behaviors and dissatisfaction with one’s body. It’s important to reject these ideals and embrace body positivity, recognizing that every body is beautiful and serves a purpose. Celebrate your unique self and prioritize health and happiness over societal expectations.


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