You see it all around us: “Want to shed those extra COVID-19 pounds?” “Get your summer body now!” “Join our gym with no enrollment fees!” Who else is fed up with this nonsense? Sure, I may have put on a few pounds over the past year, but I don’t need constant reminders. When I think about my weight gain, I reflect on a year spent cooped up at home with my four kids. We enjoyed quality family time, which included baking treats and cooking delightful meals. And you know what? I’m perfectly okay with how my body looks. I’m just grateful to be alive.
Every day, I’m bombarded with commercials for diets, meal plans, shakes, and pills. It’s overwhelming. Society doesn’t encourage women to appreciate their curves, stretch marks, or imperfections. Instead, we’re conditioned to despise our bodies. The prevalence of diet culture is alarming. Recent statistics indicate that 49% of Americans are on some type of diet, with 56% of women admitting to dieting. These figures are staggering. Why? Because diet culture promotes the idea that thinner is better, and beauty is only found in a very narrow, smaller frame. It’s a distorted and harmful perspective.
We’re inundated with images of “perfect” people who set unrealistic standards for how we should look. We live in an image-obsessed society where being an ordinary mom with a body that has changed after childbirth is somehow unacceptable. It’s as if there’s something inherently wrong with having a little extra softness or a belly. These so-called perfect bodies are often the result of Photoshop and filters. When an unedited image of these individuals surfaces, they rush to mitigate the damage. Why? Because they’re also caught in the cycle of comparing themselves to unrealistic ideals, which affects everyone who sees their curated social media posts. It’s a vicious cycle.
When will we learn to embrace the beauty in diverse bodies? Our bodies are functional; they carry children, nurture babies, lift heavy grocery bags, and prepare meals for our families. They aren’t meant to be perfect; they’re meant to be useful. Yet, our culture has lost sight of this. We’re constantly striving to improve ourselves every single day, and it’s exhausting.
And honestly, it’s incredibly unfair. Why can’t we simply be content with ourselves? Why must we conform to someone else’s idea of “better”? Will true happiness come from a smaller size or a bigger cup size? Can you still be a loving mom if you wear a size 16? Absolutely! There’s nothing wrong with that.
According to the Boston Medical Center, “An estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet each year, and Americans spend $33 billion annually on weight loss products.” Yes, billions! This encompasses everything from gym memberships to ridiculous waist-slimming gadgets and diet pills that may lead to unpleasant side effects. Americans are obsessively chasing an unattainable ideal. And it’s only getting worse.
Diet culture, which prioritizes thinness over health and wellness, is detrimental. Even if you’re perfectly fine with a little extra weight, society doesn’t want you to be satisfied. It seems better to be unhealthy and thin than to embrace a fuller figure. You’re expected to fit into smaller sizes and choose the lightest salad dressing. The pressure to count calories and restrict yourself is relentless. And, let’s face it, in one way or another, many of us are giving in.
Eating disorders are on the rise. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue. As reported by the New York Times, “The National Eating Disorders Association noted a 41% increase in calls to its help lines in January 2021 compared to January 2020.” This surge is partly due to increased isolation, depression, and social media mocking those who gained weight during quarantine. It’s disheartening.
So, what can you do? Resist the allure of diet culture. Don’t lament your weight on social media. Avoid scrolling through Instagram for endless before-and-after photos. Remember, there’s no miracle diet out there. No one can safely lose 20 pounds a week. A pill won’t make you perfect. You’ll likely feel just as dissatisfied because you’ll still be chasing an illusion. Instead, embrace your body. Body positivity is attractive. Recognize that you are beautiful every single day.
We’re emerging from a global pandemic that has brought unprecedented loss. Many of us have mourned loved ones who didn’t survive COVID-19. Life as we knew it has changed. But if you’re still here, celebrate that! You may look different now, but who cares? Flaunt your body. Enjoy your summer in shorts and swimsuits. Play with your kids. Share moments with your partner in the sunshine. Be thankful! A few extra pounds are trivial compared to life’s greater challenges.
If you want to lose weight, do it healthily. But if you don’t, who cares? You don’t owe anyone a change in your body. You have one life to live, so embrace it in a body that you love. For more insights on similar topics, check out this blog post and this authority source.
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In summary, let’s challenge the harmful norms of diet culture and celebrate our bodies for what they can do, not just how they look. We deserve to feel good in our skin and live joyfully, regardless of our size.