Do You Have a New Year’s Resolution to Lose Weight?
Every January we see more and more messaging about a New Year diet, cleanse, or detox. As a society, we’re pretty vulnerable after holiday celebrations in December that it feels like a given that we should restrict and punish ourselves when the calendar flips to the new year.
If you’ve been caught up in this experience, know you are not alone. New Year’s resolutions to lose weight are incredibly common. But have you ever stopped to think about how this need to diet comes back around *every* year? That means it isn’t working in the first place! This is the truth behind diet culture: it wants to keep you feeling negative about yourself so you keep buying the new plan, app, or book because it keeps them in business.
If you’re tired of yo-yo dieting and constantly feeling bad about how you look, we have 3 things you can add to your routine that won’t make you feel like you’re failing. This is the opposite of a new diet that takes away things you enjoy, telling you to give up carbs or that walking isn’t enough of a workout. Below are some examples but consider what these additions mean to you!
Add pleasure. While this can look like fuzzy blankets and a good cup of coffee, there are so many ways to bring yourself some enjoyment. Sometimes just being in the moment during a conversation creates connection or finally deciding to light the candle you’ve been saving. Other times it might be investing in a new car or booking a massage. If you aren’t sure where to start, take a quiet moment to consider when was the last time you giggled or felt relaxed. What were you doing? Who were you with? Bringing things into your life that light you up is a great place to start showing yourself some love and teaching our brain and body it can be rely on you.
Add support. This can come in many forms! You can have a text chain with friends that you check in daily or reconnect with your church or nature. This can also look like going to therapy or speaking with your doctor about how you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing (here’s some help in case you dread going to the doctor). It is never weak to ask for help. In fact, it shows an incredible strength to understand when something isn’t working for you and opening up to others. You can start small, with someone you trust like your partner or parent. We even have some examples of how to open up about your emotional eating.
Add newness. Start a new hobby, travel to a new city, switch up what body wash you use, it doesn’t matter how big or small! This might feel uncomfortable because our brains like the familiar, it makes us feel safe, but that can also keep us from learning about ourselves and adding more joy to our days. Plus, you can absolutely try new things in your comfort zone to build confidence! If you like your time alone, you can always pick up a book in a genre or by an author that is new to you, take up embroidery, or try a new recipe. If you want to get out of the house, try a trivia night at your local pub, join a drop-in dance class, or meet up with a walking photography group. Remind yourself you don’t have to stick with anything beyond the first time if you don’t like it. But who knows what you’ll discover that brings you joy!
It isn’t a bad thing to want to feel your best! But the truth is the number on the scale doesn’t indicate health or dictate happiness. By focussing on adding things to your life that fill your cup and make you feel supported, you might just find yourself being more present, smiling more, and emotionally eating less. Because the truth is: your emotional eating isn’t about the food it is about giving yourself emotional support.
💛 Your peace awaits.
