A few reminders this new years season

​New years can be a tricky time for food and body worries.  The hangover of dealing with diet chat and setting boundaries over the holidays, followed by the yearly barrage of new years dieting marketing can have a big impact if you have been struggling with your relationship with food or body confidence.

So, with this in mind, I have a few questions you might like to explore which could offer some support as we move through this time:
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• What do you find most supportive before and after tricky food and body experiences?  There is no wrong answer here, but some ideas are listening to anti-diet podcasts, scrolling through supportive social media accounts, reading anti-diet books, seeing supportive friends, doing hobbies you enjoy, resting.

 

• What would you find most helpful to keep in mind to support yourself during this time?  Having reminders in your own ‘voice’ can be super helpful.  If you are finding this tricky, you might like to reflect on what you would say to a friend or loved one if they were finding this time tricky too.

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• What do you value? (Bigger question I know, but hear me out!)  Having an idea of your values can offer a bit of guidance around how you might like to support yourself. For example, if one of your values is fun, you could try experimenting with adding this to how you relate to food and your body e.g. cooking with others (or alone if that’s more fun for you!), trying new recipes or places to eat out for some novelty, trying a new form of movement with fun as the priority e.g. roller skating, dancing, hiking or anything else you find fun.  Settling in to your values can offer a bit of a guidepost when things are feeling rocky from the problematic food and body messaging during this time.

Remember: there are patterns to dieting ads and fatphobic messaging in media, and they are often loudest and most prevalent at specific times of year.  

Zooming out and acknowledging these patterns can sometimes be helpful to see it for what it is (profiting off people’s insecurities!), and supporting you to feel more prepared and supported if this is a tricky experience to navigate through.

Given the dieting and fatphobic messaging that is so loud this time of year, it makes sense if you are feeling pressure to restrict your food intake or go on another diet.  However, rather than offering relief from anxiety around food and your body, it will probably end up adding to it. 

In order to support yourself during this time, reflecting on your answers above can offer a starting point to support yourself, just as you are, without changing your body. 

You deserve to feel good, just as you are.

Looking for support with your relationship with food and your body?

You are welcome to get in touch or book an appointment.