dieting=clean eating=weight loss plan=cleanse=wellness program (decoding diet language)
We’re coming up to the time when we’re going to be extra bombarded with messages about our eating. More specifically, messages about our bodies wrapped up in messages about our eating. When we start wading into the waters of Intuitive Eating, it’s hard enough saying no to regular old diets (the ones we’ve been on/off since we were teenagers, the ones with commercials featuring celebrities, the ones that don’t try to hide they’re diets). It’s even harder to stay the course of turning inward for direction on how/what/when to eat when there are diets that don’t identify as diets around every corner (those sneaky sneaks!)
More and more, people who sell weight loss are packaging their products into wellness plans, cleanses or ‘clean eating’ programs. Which is tough because at first glance they may seem different: the focus appears to be on vaguely-defined health benefits or energy increases or renewed skin or fill in the blank. But their messaging is laced with insinuations that weight loss will likely occur. Or maybe casually listed as a side effect of just eating ‘good’ food and taking care of yourself (according to what they say is ‘good’ food and their definition of taking care of yourself). Which is just a real mind fuck.
I want to pause here and say two things:
There is only compassion surrounding you if you find you’re being pulled to a diet/cleanse/clean eating plan. The journey of tuning in to your body is hard and it’s a challenging time of year…dieting can be a comforting and familiar experience to help manage really uncomfortable feelings. Intuitive Eating and re-learning to listen to your body is available to you if/when you are ready.
Don’t fall into the trap of double-guilt…if you’re not feeling up to it right now, it’s okay. Sometimes we can feel ashamed about being on another diet and then a new layer of shame for not feeling up to trying something different. As much as possible, tell the yelling in your brain “it’s okay that I’m not ready right now. When I am ready to take the jump, I know a different way of learning to be in my body is available to me”.
So how do we tell if something is a diet? Here are a few clues:
There is a clear right and wrong way to do it
They benefit ($$) off you feeling like there’s something wrong with your body
Success is measured in a change in/on some part of your body
They define foods as good/bad, right/wrong, or cut out food groups
Their advertisements only feature images of thin bodies
You have a feeling of excitement that maybe this is the one
Let’s show ourselves kindness by taking a breath, reminding ourselves that we are worthy of comfort and enjoyment, and that our bodies are doing their best to care for us.