Have you been noticing more and more weight loss/diet ads in magazines, on the internet, and during tv commercials? Well, you are not alone. The diet industry, just like many other industries, took a big hit during covid and according to Marketdata Enterprises lost 21% of its total value in 2020.
Now I wish I was writing to tell you that the diet industry has just given up post covid because everyone has learned to love and accept their body, but that’s just not the case (yet!!). Instead, I’m writing to tell you how sneaky the diet industry has gotten post covid and how they are (still) trying to lure you in.
The biggest change I’ve noticed is that words like “weight loss” or “diet” are being replaced by “wellness” and “lifestyle change.” They are going for a more “subtle” approach as they promote their product or service, but please don’t let this fool you! Some companies are even using phrases like being the best you can be – but only if that you is significantly thinner than you are now, right?
These are what I like to call diets in disguise. These companies are trying to appeal to more people by using popular buzz words, but a diet is still a diet. As we all know by now, diets don’t work long term. Studies show that 95% of all diets fail and most individuals will regain their lost weight within 1-5 years. If you are starting to feel tempted by all these ads I invite you to revisit the first Intuitive Eating Principle, Reject the Diet Mentality. Here is an overview of that first principle from my post titled The Principles of Intuitive Eating: Explained
The first principle is all about getting pissed off at diet culture. You can start by getting rid of every book, meal plan, and magazine that boasts quick and easy weight loss. Maybe take this a step further and unfollow or mute accounts on social media that are rooted in diet culture.
Next, remember how diet culture made you feel. Did you feel like a failure every time a diet stopped working for you? Or, did you feel guilty for taking a rest day? Stand strong and let this anger remind you that no new or better diet is waiting to be discovered. This is the first step towards becoming an intuitive eater.
Now there is nothing wrong with taking action to improve your health, I’m actually a big supporter of doing so. However, you do not need to download an app, only drink green juice, or restrict your overall food intake to do so. These drastic changes will not provide the results you are looking for and will damage the relationship you have with food, movement, and your body in the process.
After everything we have endured during 2020 and 2021, we should be thanking our bodies for keeping us safe and healthy, not trying to shrink them so we can fit into last year’s shorts! If you would like more information on how the 10 Intuitive Eating Principles can be applied to your active lifestyle, download my free Intuitive Fueling Guide here.
