Anyone else having feelings this week?! End of year, holidays, food, omicron... Plus allllll the weight loss ads.
Did you know that one of the most common new years resolutions is to lose weight? As someone who used to make this resolution regularly, I get it. Especially now as we're nearing year 3 of the pandemic. The idea of controlling something, of experiencing a tangible change that society will celebrate... it's very appealing. But the thing is, intentional weight loss doesn't work long-term, and often leads to weight gain and/or eating disorders. Any weight loss experienced as a result of a new years resolution is likely to be a short-lived thrill. That's why people find themselves making this resolution over and over again, year after year. It's not because there's something wrong with you. It's because there's something right with you: your body is doing just what it's meant to do—seek equilibrium.
Letting go of the fantasy of weight loss is a big deal. But whatever's underneath the fantasy—that's NOT something to let go of.
When I ask people why they want to be thinner, they have excellent reasons: to feel beautiful, loved, respected, accepted, free... So valid. I want those things for you. I get that living in a fatphobic culture makes it harder. But you don't have to fight oppression by conforming to it. You can choose a different path.
You can choose to go for the things you want, regardless of size. You deserve to feel beautiful, to be loved, respected, accepted, and free. What would it look like if you went after what you wanted, exactly as your body is right now? What would that new years resolution be?
And just for fun...
The first word you see describes your relationship with your body in 2022:
Want a little support rebuilding your relationship to food and your body? It's a brave thing to do and I'm here for you. I'm offering a new year's intro coaching package, available until Feb 1 before the price increases. Happy New Year, Talia P.S. If you have a practice of giving end-of-year gifts, here are a few body liberation options:
You might also consider supporting some of the individual fat activists who help power the body positive movement (and who offer perks too!)
If there are other places you give to support body liberation work, let me know. Every year I give away a minimum of 10% of my income in acknowledgement of the people and groups who've built this movement.