A moment on the lips, is not a lifetime on the hips
“A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips”. I’m sure you all remember that old diet culture mantra. Or how about “Can you pinch an inch?”or “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”. Couple that up with celebrity “beach bodies” or “bikini bodies” plastered all over the magazines, the push for liquid diets, or the Special K challenge where you ate nothing but cereal; and it’s no wonder so many people struggle with disordered eating and body image.
Slogans like these were rampant in diet culture over the years and I am pretty sure they did way more harm than good to those trying to make some positive changes to their weight or overall lifestyle.
It is this type of thinking that leads to a very unhealthy relationship with food~looking at food solely for how it affects your physical looks rather than as the fuel and nourishment needed for your body and mind to function properly.
First and foremost, food does not have morality. Food can be neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’. There are foods that provide nutritional benefit, and foods that do not; but labeling foods as good and bad gives them power over you. It leads to feelings of guilt and shame, and feelings that you need to “cheat” or work off what you’ve eaten.
Living a healthy and balanced lifestyle does not include swearing off all foods that do not provide nutritional value. Nor does it include "cheat" days, or hours of cardio to work off the calories you consumed.
Food is a part of life. It is absolutely necessary for your body to function~but it is way more that that. Foods are rooted in our family traditions, our culture, and social engagements. Food is allowed to be something that gives you joy and pleasure. It is allowed to be an experience and an event and something you look forward to.
You can take control of your relationship with food by making and owning your choices. You can start with these small changes
Don’t restrict certain foods or entire food groups. As noted above, this gives food power over you.
Don’t create “cheat” days or meals. Follow your hunger cues and be intentional with what you eat. Practice mindful eating to enjoy your food choices. Eating is not cheating.
Don’t follow someone else’s diet “rules” or a random meal plan from the internet. This is not helpful in learning how to create long term habits. Focus on learning how to take the foods you love and building them into a balanced meal plan.
Hire a coach! Sometimes we just need someone in our corner to hold us accountable, to remind us that we are human, and to keep us focused on what’s important.
But most importantly, if you want a piece of cake, eat a piece of cake! If you want french fries, eat french fries! You are not bad for doing so. You are not cheating on anything. Own your choice, enjoy your choice, and move on with your day.
If you made it through diet culture of the late 80s and 90s and came out unscathed and with a healthy relationship with food and body image then you are a giant step ahead and kudos to you! For most of us though, some damage was done.
Healing your relationship with food by ridding your mindset of old mantras like this, which promise a lifetime of punishment for a moment of indulgence, is a big first step in your journey to a healthy lifestyle. We only get one chance at this life we are living~make it an enjoyable one!