Rejecting Dieting

cakeforbrains

I just wondered whether anyone else subscribes to the philosophy of rejecting diets and/or health at every size (HAES).

I read Fat is a Feminist Issue a few years ago. It's a book dedicated to the notion that diets essentially make us fatter over time, and the most healthy way to eat is to respond to your body's hunger cues and move away from emotional eating. There are several other books, websites, and blogs centered around this idea.

Anyway, I'm not trying to lecture or cause an argument, but I was just wondering if anyone else rejects dieting and addresses their eating in this way? :beer:

hannah899

I have just started a diet a few weeks ago, Im not massively over weight just needed to lose a couple of lbs. I didn't want to spend loads of money or go to a gym. I am eating what I want and ive stopped drinking high sugar pop. I already drank loads of water and try to eat veg as much as possible for me I think it was more just doing little bits of walking and portion control. I have lost abit still abit to go. But I do agree. I wanted a Chinese tonight and as id normally go for a thick sauce and chips I went for chicken chop suey and boiled plain rice. check the calories and was under. If I was on a strict diet that you have to pay for it would be eat this eat that, Thinking about this would make you gain 5lb. I feel happier in myself that im taking a stance.
I think im lucky that I havea good relationship with food I don't binge when im upset I don't eat chocolate when its my time of the monthand I don't think if I eat a decent meal im going to gain massive amounts of weight.
I think people don't realise how much diets can be bad for them as well as good.
I remember a few years ago that a women did a dieting programme with a company and there whole thing advised drinking of water. She went home a literally dropped dead because she was not properly informed that to much water can dilute brain fluid. People also don't realise that they DO need fat and sugar in there diets even though only a little but its to help regulate bodys natural supplies

Mr_helpful

Diets make people fat because it is not primarily the food that makes you fat. harsh to say but if you are fat it is because your brain has a reason to make you fat. until you sort out that reason you will yo yo all the time

hannah899

I put on weight because I broke my knee cap and wasn't properly treated for it which than made my hypermobility flare up. If I did 30 minutes in a gym I wouldn't walk for 5 days, And not because of aching because my knee locks and becomes very sore and swollen. I also used to do 2 and a half hours a day and that became impossible for me to do. I do miss my dancers body

sexyjacksparrow

Me! Well correction, I am trying to! I too have read FIFI (and various other books in the same field) but it was Beyond Chocolate that got me into the whole intuitive eating thing.

I still have a long way to go and eat emotionally most of the time, but this is what I am working towards.

cakeforbrains

sexyjacksparrow wrote: »

Me! Well correction, I am trying to! I too have read FIFI (and various other books in the same field) but it was Beyond Chocolate that got me into the whole intuitive eating thing.

I still have a long way to go and eat emotionally most of the time, but this is what I am working towards.

Great. Sounds like there are a few of us here then.

What is Beyond Chocolate like? I've not read that one.

sexyjacksparrow

It's very good. A much 'easier' read than FIFI and the authors' stories really resonated with me (I've also done their workshop as well) and there's a follow up book called Beyond Temptation which deals specifically with stopping overeating.

LolitaLove

I remember reading that book years ago. I personally believe that sugar and processed foods are responsible for weight issues - yes I know that's an obvious statement to make, but the sugar high is addictive and a hard habit to break. If you eat natural, pure, wholesome food, it's very difficult to go wrong....has anyone binged and ate 10 salmon fillets? 13 apples? It's difficult to over eat natural foods....and after a short time without the sugary processed food, they taste so artificial, chemical and overly sweet that they're pretty much unbearable.

I agree that diets make you fat. Any kind of temporary eating plan will inevitably lead to weight gain when normal eating habits resume. I think a lot of what makes women comfort eat on sugary processed food is to do with feminism. But rather than lay the blame with men I think it's women that create this perpetual self hatred a lot of women have. Women's mags are filled with airbrushed models advertising a completely unattainable standard; while publishing pictures of celebrities that have put on weight, have an ounce of cellulite, ridiculing them and reinforcing this notion that a womans worth is dictated by her appearance. I think the most liberating thing any woman can do is learn to love her body and appreciate it's true beauty and use. Your body is not an instrument designed purely for men to gawp at, or a hanger for clothes designed to suit the figure of a ten year old boy. Your body is a beautiful, miraculous thing that allows you to ride horses, swim, travel...to experience all of the wonderful aspects life has to offer. The clothes size in the label does not matter, the fact you may have cellulite does not matter. I have a Kelly Brook esque large bust, small waist and curvy hips that means a lot of 'on trend' clothing is impossible for me to wear; a lot of what I wear is similar as only specific styles of clothing suit my figure. It sucks sometimes but (hopefully) my curves will one day help me to deliver a healthy baby, which is what at it's core the female body is designed for....not to squeeze into a pair of super skinny jeans. Understanding this I feel is key because when you love yourself unconditionally you care enough to look after your body. You don't want to comfort eat; you don't want to abuse your body with processed chemical food.

sofababe

I'm at my happiest and healthiest (mentally certainly, and getting there physically) when I stop eating crap. Personally I've cut out wheat, sugar and dairy almost entirely. I'm avoiding processed food and trying to listen to my body. Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full. It sounds so simple, and so obvious but it's incredibly hard for most of us when we have processed crap thrust at us at every turn.

I saw Josie Gibson on telly recently, talking about her weight loss (again), she said "if you can't kill it or pick it I don't eat it". While I don't think she's much of a role model I do agree with her on this point. If I read an ingredients list and can't identify anything I don't buy it.

Of course, that said, I'm not going to miss out on a meal out with friends or make a fuss in a restaurant, so I try to make the most sensible choice I can. I often go out with pals for Sunday lunch and have a roast with about 4 veg, fantastic!!:D

And if I do get a craving for a takeaway, or sweets (TOTM can be a trial:o) I give in rather than becoming obsessed and denying myself. I find that entirely pointless and counter-productive. As your granny will tell you " a little of what you fancy does you good".

We have learned not to listen to our body, overriding hunger and stuffing ourselves almost to vomiting point because we get so hungry. I'm lucky that I work in a job where I can stop and eat whenever I like, but I can see it's more difficult if you have set break times, you end up either eating when you're not hungry or having to wait till you're half starved then making bad choices.

Modern lifestyles are not good for our poor bodies.

margaretclare

The previous posters have talked a lot of sense. The advertising industry has a lot to answer for. Over the last few decades we've had food almost thrown at us from every available angle, and if it's not the actual food then it's the images and the suggestions. These are immensely powerful. And who ever thought up the idea of offering chips with ethnic foods? In their own homelands, the Chinese, Japanese, Indians etc are not fat people, and it can't have been their idea to add chips to a dish including rice. And also the philosophy of 'go on, you know you want to' or 'because you're worth it' or 'just one won't hurt'. These type of suggestive statements are pitfalls for the unwary. And I despair for the younger generation. I see hardly any of them without some kind of snack food or drink in their hands as they walk along. Little ones have to have 'fruit shoots' - and what do they contain? We are not in danger of dying of starvation, yet the advertising and food industries treat us as if we were.

Jennifer_Jane

I agree with margaretclare (as usual!), but just to add that we should be aware of our optimum weight (medical not vanity) and try to stay around that, and not let it creep up.

BUPA told me what I should be and because of health problems (cholesterol, kidney, liver), it's in my interest to stay close to that level. I just didn't want to take medication.

(63 kgs and I'm 5'5" and age 66).