When you feel like the only one not on a diet...
Friend and family can be the worst offenders when you’re done with diets and want support.
If I had a dime for every person who told me about their loved ones who ‘didn’t get’ them not dieting anymore, well…I’d have a LOT of dimes.
The casual way in which people share their diet tricks and offhand comments about how ‘bad’ they were for eating the brownies last night can be overwhelming sometimes.
And can make you feel like you’re the only one who isn’t avoiding gluten or carbs.
Diet culture and the ‘wellness’ industry is LOUD. And EVERYWHERE. And no one is unaffected by it.
Not even those closest to you.
Some ways to offset these messages?
✔️Diversify your social media feed. Do you see people of all shapes & sizes doing the things, or is your view of health on your screen presented by mostly thin, white humans? No judgement; there’s a huge lack of diversity when it comes to the wellness industry and who gets a voice in it. That’s part of the problem, and why it’s so important to seek out variety in your messaging.
✔️Unfollow- or just mute if that seems like too much right now- anyone who makes you doubt your decision to ditch diets. Including those who talk about how unhealthy diets are, and to ‘just love yourself as you are’- but then offer diet advice. And follow more humans who support non dieting and regaining a healthy relationship with food and exercise.
✔️Tell your friends and family that you don’t want to talk about diets anymore- or ever if that wasn’t a part of your conversations to begin with.
✔️If you’re a gym goer, consider if it’s the right environment for you. If it’s constantly promoting weight loss by way of ‘challenges’ and nutrition programs, if it feels unwelcome to people with a diverse range of bodies, or if the trainers there talk about weight and health in the same sentence, it might not be the best place for you.
Author
Gretchen
Coach
Growing up I was a half-hearted athlete who struggled with my relationship with both food and exercise. I smoked for over a decade and spent much of my youth either binging or not eating at all. But after breaking my leg in a car accident, months of physical rehab and years of psychological counseling lead me to a renewed appreciation for my health and my ability to just move-something I'll never take for granted again. I overcame a lot and have spent much of my life sharing what I've learned. I became a NASM personal trainer over 16 years ago. The type of clients I've trained and my own personal interests lead me to attain many other certifications. These include Sports Specific and Orthopedic exercise specializations, Pre and Post Natal exercise, MMA conditioning, and ACE Mind Body Specializations. I've taken 2 TRX qualifying courses in general and functional fitness. I am Kettlebell certified through both NETA and Kettlebell Kings, also completing an independent study facilitated by Steve Cotter, founder of the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation. I am also a certified Animal Flow Instructor. In the fall of 2021, I became a Certified Intuitive Eating Facilitator, as IE was integral to my own ability to divest from diet culture. I think this was the missing piece to be able to put together a holistic, meaningful training program for all my clients.
