Why I'm Ditching The 'New Year Diet'

I cannot lie and say that festive period did not fill me with such a tremendous fear. No matter how far I have come in my journey, I am not immune to the guilt that can sit very heavily upon your shoulders the second the spoon hits the bottom of the bowl. And I get stressed out just by the thought of having 3 nights out in a row, not to mention the sleepless nights I endure attempting to plan what I’m going to wear, when I’m going to paint my nails, when am I going to have time to hit the gym in-between shaving my legs and moisturising. And to some, this may all sound very silly. To be afraid of eating and drinking a little bit too much, or not being able to fit in exercise, or getting dressed up all nice to go to social events. But anyone who has suffered with any type of disordered eating, body dismorphia and anxiety can tell you just how frightening it is to feel so out of control, so bloated and spoiled, and, well, fluffy (or fat).

In previous years, I’ve always used the New Year as a fresh start and placed such a massive emphasis on getting back on track and losing weight. Many of you can easily slip in and out of these weight loss programmes that scream in our faces “New Year Shape Up!” But many of us can also fall into very unhealthy, restrictive lifestyles. So it’s a no from me. I’m ditching the ‘New Year Diet’ and here’s why:

• Number one, you have to understand you’re good enough exactly how you are. Before you try losing any weight, try admiring and appreciating your body at whatever size you are, because if you’re not happy at a size 12/10/8, you’re not going to be happy at any other size. Its time to learn how to accept your body for all the beautiful things it is, not all the things it is not. 
• Number two, in truth, you probably haven't changed that much. Not drastically that is. Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to buy into these diets, just because everyone around you is so fixated on losing the pounds. The diet industry is worth a lot of money, so it’s no surprise they’re convincing you that you need to lose weight after Christmas. And hey, even if you did put on weight, please bear in mind you don’t live like that normally. As soon as you start to eat a bit more fresh, whole ingredients and move around a bit more, you’ll find you’ll probably lose weight without really trying. 
• Number three, you need to ask yourself are you trying to be a better version of yourself, or are you trying to look like the model on the cover? The people endorsing these fad diets are fitness models and celebrities, people who have the money to hire professional make up artists, hair stylists, personal trainers and personal chefs. They have big fancy lights on photo shoots that make them look incredible. And thats before they get photoshopped. Hell, these people don’t even look like their glossy magazine covers. Do this to be a better you, because I promise if you’re eating your bodyweight in kale to look like them, you’re only going to be highly disappointed. 
• Number four, you need to live a life you’re going to enjoy. I know that if I went back on some big restrictive diet and exercise programme, I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I love to do. Go out for tasty dinners, have spontaneous drinks after work, meet with friends for coffee… My relationships wouldn’t work in the way that they do, and my life would be spent between the kitchen, then gym and work. I wouldn’t enjoy it.
• And most importantly, number five, your diet should be sustainable and healthy. And you know what isn’t sustainable and healthy? Restriction. Hunger. Loss of natural hunger cues. Obsessions and fixations over food, wondering when the next meal will be before you’ve even finished your breakfast. Disordered eating. Feelings of hunger, shame, guilt and anxiety. A healthy and sustainable diet is enjoyable, balanced and an easy part of your life. I would hate to look back at January and think of all the things I gave up so I could “smash the gym” and live off green smoothies.

‘the way you speak of yourself. the way you degrade yourself into smallness. is abuse.’

So before you set out to change your body, learn to love it first. Learn to love the weight you are, appreciate how your body moves and know that you body is an amazing thing that will change throughout our entire lives. Treat it with respect and fuel it well. Don’t abuse yourself to look like someone on a magazine, and don’t stop yourself having a life to lose a couple pounds. Eat, workout and do lovely things, so you can look back on 2017 happy, full of energy and beautiful.

K