January is the time of year for setting New Year’s resolutions for self-improvement. For many, these might be health-related — eating better, catching up on sleep, reducing how much they drink, exercising more or losing weight.
The values of diet culture are pervasive and include the celebration of weight loss and body manipulation. And with that often comes pressure to conform to unrealistic ideals and the assumption that thinness always represents good health.
As such, New Year’s resolutions connected to our health tend to be hijacked by diet culture. While it’s admirable to invest time and effort into improving one’s health and well-being, it’s counterproductive to decide that the number on a scale, the size of our pants or having defined abs are indicators of success in our pursuit of well-being.
Weight-loss resolutions
As researchers of body image issues with our own history of being harmed by diet culture, we tend to avoid New Year’s resolutions because of negative associations. But maybe that’s giving too much power to diet culture. We think there might be a new way to approach resolutions if people do so in a way that promotes self-care (beyond the physical) and holistic well-being.
A weight-neutral approach
A weight-neutral approach to health focuses on pursuing health-promoting behaviours that are under our control, maintaining a positive relationship with movement and eating, and challenging negative stereotypes about people in larger bodies.
Research indicates that weight, body size, and muscle definition are impacted by numerous factors that are not all under our control.
Pursuing this kind of weight loss usually compromises our relationship with food in the long term and can set us up for the many physical and psychological downsides of yo-yo dieting or weight cycling.
A weight-neutral approach is related to a broader "body-neutral" movement that calls for a holistic view of our entire selves, including social relationships and our own talents and interests, and less of a myopic focus on physical appearance.
Some resoulutions to consider
A weight-neutral resolution could be to walk frequently enough to be able to enjoy a hike in the mountains this summer with family and friends. Another might be to prioritize sleep, learn more about sleep hygiene, and perhaps experiment with mindfulness strategies as part of sleep routines.
Body-neutral goals may be focused on adding more social opportunities, whether it’s committing more regularly to seeing old friends or joining a class or group to find new ones.
Conclusion
This year, focus on reclaiming your own self in self-improvement and decide what excites you rather than following the scripts and goals offered to us from diet culture. When we broaden our perspective beyond how our bodies look, and consider how we feel in our life and what is important to us, it’s possible that resolutions for the new year can create energy and excitement for what’s to come.
FAQs
Q: Why should I avoid weight-loss resolutions?
A: Weight-loss resolutions often come with negative associations and can compromise our relationship with food and lead to unhealthy obsessions.
Q: What are some alternative resolutions?
A: Consider weight-neutral or body-neutral resolutions that prioritize how you feel and function in your body and mind, and take a holistic view of health.
Q: How can I maintain a positive relationship with food?
A: Focus on health-promoting behaviours, maintain a positive relationship with movement and eating, and challenge negative stereotypes about people in larger bodies.
