Slide out of the DM
All this pop culture talk of sliding into the DMs while I’m over here encouraging folks to slide out of the DM.
The DM I am referring to is the DIET MENTALITY. The first principle of intuitive eating is REJECTING THE DIET MENTALITY aka rejecting the DM.
How can you do this?? FIRST AND FOREMOST, recognize dieting is harmful on a biological and psychological level. We have to shift from a perspective of controlling our body via dieting behaviors/rules/beliefs to CARING FOR OUR BODIES. On a societal level we are immersed in DIET CULTURE. Therefore we have to reject these messages too.
Intuitive eating provides the following steps to reject the DM (adapted from “Intuitive Eating, 2013):
- Recognize that diets are harmful and ineffective (research shows this! The long term effects of dieting lead to increased weight gain (increased fat storage, slowed metabolic functioning), increased risk of disordered eating, and place significant stress on our bodies)
- Notice the subtle thoughts and traits of dieting (eating and exercise are NOT about willpower, obedience, or success/failure)
- Get rid of “dieting tools”-scales, measuring utensils, apps, or ANY external means of tracking/quantifying yourself. All of these tools disconnect you from your intuition
The DM is sneaky and deceptive. Diets have infiltrated the fitness, wellness, health, wedding, and even pregnancy realms. Terms such as “wellness”, “health”, and “lifestyle change” often times are code for DIETS. I often times hear individuals say “I want to be healthy.” This statement typically leads individuals to engage in dieting behaviors rather than true health promoting behaviors. Recognize that your body has the full potential to let you know what it needs. It does not need to be micromanaged. When one has been dieting chronically or struggling with disordered eating, it takes time to reconnect with your bodies innate wisdom. I highly recommend reading the third edition of “Intuitive eating” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, or to seek support from a professional in order to heal your relationship with food, exercise, and your body. Your body allows you to live a rich, meaningful life....it need not be the focus of your life.
Tribole E and Resch E (2013). Intuitive Eating, 3rd ed. St Martins Press: NY, NY.