Celebrate No Diet Day May 6, 2011

Today, May 6, 2011 is International “no diet day”. That’s right – there’s actually a day for people who refuse dieting and hopefully help raise awareness of dieting’s physical, mental, and emotional dangers.

“No Diet Day” is an annual celebration of body acceptance and body shape diversity. (YAHOOOOOO!!!) This day is also dedicated to promoting a healthy life style and raise awareness of the dangers and futility of dieting. International No Diet Day is observed on May 6 (TODAY!)

Here are three reasons not to diet:

• They don’t work. A 2007 UCLA study showed 86% of people who diet regain the weight back and more
• They are associated with negative body image and emotional problems that can lead to depression, a serious psychological disorder that must be treated (one in four women suffer from depression)
• You don’t need them. You have MORE POWER over your health and wellness than you THINK! You can change. You can live TRULY healthy and balanced without depriving yourself of the nutrients your body needs and the pleasures your body wants.

If you’re stuck in the “all or nothing” on-a-diet, off-a-diet cycle, you can get out of it and make peace with yourself and with food. And you can let go of that negative struggle that you don’t need. Just start. Do one small thing today.

Celebrate “No Diet Day” By:

• Stop kicking your own ass. Refuse to talk or think “bad” or negatively about yourself today (then make it two, three). If you catch yourself, replace that negative “bash” with the honest truth about yourself. Be genuine and kind to yourself.
• Get rid of any diet books you have lying around. They make great kindling for your next camping trip.
• Go through your closet and get rid of any unrealistically small clothes that you bought because you were smaller “for a minute” or you hoped you’d fit into one day. Someone who is genetically smaller than you will greatly benefit from your generosity.
• Rid your fridge and pantry of fat free, low fat, reduced and otherwise tasteless diet food. I bet it’s also processed and really not that nourishing anyway. If you really love it, then buy the full fat version and enjoy.
• Write a love letter to yourself. Be honest about how good it will feel to “let go” of the dieting mindset that rules your life.
• Pick one food that you LOVE and you feel is “unhealthy” — and eat it! Savor and enjoy each bite without any sort of guilt. (that’s the hard part) Make choices about how much you need to feel satisfied and what else you think your body may need with the meal for additional nutrition. (example: pizza? why not get veggies on it and pair with some delicious and nutritious greens, topped with herbs, olive oil, and red wine vinegar)
• Print the “me first” pledge and take action on self-care focused goals. Post the “me first” badge on your website. Use the #mefirst hash on Twitter
• If you blog, write a blog or leave a comment here about your dieting journey. I’d love to hear it. You can also display the no diet day ribbon on your post. Grab below:

Make no mistake. Ditching diets is not giving up on being unhealthy. It’s the opposite. It’s embracing the truth that diets are harmful and cause more problems than they solve.

Ditching diets is about taking an honest look at your life, your habits, your preferences and reflecting on what truly is balanced. Maybe you do need to learn more about nutrition. Invest in yourself. See a registered dietitian who helps people manage weight without dieting (like me!) Maybe you need to find motivation to exercise so it’s fun again and feels good. Maybe there is too much stress in your life and you are coping with emotional eating or skipping workouts or drinking too much. Maybe you need to develop healthy boundaries with your eating and exercise habits. That doesn’t mean you need to diet.

Whatever it is, you CAN commit to self-care. You just have to accept that self-care is THE ONLY ANSWER to living a truly balanced and healthy life.

That’s why I started the “me movement” in the first place. It’s for people who are trying day in and day out to embrace self-care and ditch the diet mind and those who are already living it. And if you feel inspired, share that inspiration with someone else. Pass it on.

Who knows, maybe this “no diet” day is the start of your “no diet” life.

Peace, love, and health!