Is it okay to want to lose weight in the New Year?

Is it okay to want to lose weight in the New Year?

The short answer is yes. It’s natural to feel the pull toward weight loss, especially in the age of Ozempic, where there’s lots of new diet plans, gym specials, and other social pressures at the start of the year. It seems everyone is talking about their latest diet or plan and it’s nearly impossible to not get looped into. If you are healing from your own disordered eating, it can really activate the diet mentality. It’s normal to have these thoughts.

You have the right to make whatever choices you want about your own body.

As an eating disorder dietitian, my job is to help you become an expert on your own body; for you to decide what is best for you. That said, informed consent is essential as you navigate this sensitive topic of weight loss. Furthermore, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t acknowledge the harmful effects of dieting, weight cycling, and disordered eating on physical and mental health.

Again it’s normal to want to lose weight during this time of the year. Perhaps you are feeling you need to “reset” after many holiday indulgences. This perceived need to compensate for weight gain or overindulgence is understandable, given the societal messages. It’s important to remember, though, that the desire to lose weight is deeply influenced by the culture we live in—it’s not a reflection of your worth or success as a person.

What are you really hungry for? Is it weight loss or something else?

The desire to lose weight often represents a deeper longing for something else. For example, a lot of my clients say that weight loss will help them to feel more ‘confident’ in their lives. With some deeper inquiry, what often comes up is a longing to feel seen, validated and loved or a longing for a more soulful and satisfying relationship.

Another person might have the desire to fit into smaller pants but after deeper reflection, this person realizes that what they are really longing for is how people treated them when they were smaller.

Some people are so used to being on a diet because it gives an immediate sense of order and control. What they really need is more structure in their lives.

By digging a little deeper into your ‘WHY’ you want to lose weight, you may be able to uncover what you’re truly seeking and address those needs in a more direct and effective manner.

Consider asking yourself these questions if you are convinced weight loss is the only solution:

• Am I satisfied with my love life? My relationships?
• Am I content with my social life or do I feel lonely?
• Do I feel confident and comfortable in my own skin?
• Am I craving for more structure/ routine/order in my life?
• Does some aspect of my life feel out-of-control?
• Do I associate weight loss with productivity or success?
• Do I get enough intellectual stimulation in my life/work?
• How will losing weight change my life?
• How will this time be different?
• What will I lose that I value if I lose weight?
• Do I leave work feeling productive, satisfied, and fulfilled?
• At what point will I feel my body is “good enough”?
• Is dieting just a habit at this point?
• What would I focus on if I wasn’t focused on weight?
• Do I spend enough time outside throughout my day?
• Do I spend too much time in front of my screens?
• What’s missing in my life? What do I want more of?
• Am I tired of how people treat me because of my size?

Reflecting on these questions can help you identify other areas of your life that you want to improve or change without actually having to change your body.

What are you longing for? What are you hungry for? Is it more love? Different relationships? How can your bring more activities into your life to feel more confidence? Maybe you want more structure/routine in your life. What would that look like?

Be compassionate and kind to yourself as you explore how you’re really doing in your life.

What would it be like to start the New Year without a new diet?

Here are some alternative new years resolutions that do not involve having to diet or change your body:

• Spend more time with your favorite people, family and friends.
• Curate your social media to remove accounts that drain you.
• Get outside daily to enjoy fresh air and movement.
• Join a new club or try a new hobby.
• Use a habit tracker to establish routines.
• Start journaling or return to an old one.
• Practice mindfulness or meditation to center yourself.
• Set aside regular self-care or introvert time.
• Listen to music more. Dance more.
• Sign up for a class, such as pottery, cooking, or language lessons.
• Volunteer at the animal shelter, food bank or another organization.
• Consider donating your old clothes and save for clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable at your current size/shape.

Find resolutions that serve you and don’t feel like its adding more stress to your life. Let if be fun and feel exciting and pleasurable.

It’s possible to set New Year’s resolutions that don’t involve weight loss or dieting. It just takes some intention to not fall back into the same trap.

Choosing resolutions that are more gratifying will help anchor your roots into trusting your body and your intuition.

What about not setting resolutions at all? How does that feel?

It’s entirely okay not to set any resolution at all. You don’t need a resolution to have a fulfilling, meaningful year. January doesn’t have to be a time for change, it can simply be a time to rest.

It’s normal to desire weight loss at this time of the year (or any time really!) but remember that dieting is never going to work long term (for most folks). We know dieting is the biggest predictor of weight gain (long term) and usually leads to feeling worse about our bodies.

Have compassion for yourself if you are struggling. Deciding to let go of dieting and embrace intuitive eating is not as easy as it sounds. Remember it is still quite radical to decide to ditch dieting in our weight obsessed culture!

If you want help on how to discover your “why’ beyond just wanting to lose weight, we have several decoding methods that help to uncover the real reason you want to lose weight. When you can find the real reason hidden behind the desire to lose weight, you can directly meet your needs in a more effective and sustainable way, one that results in long term body and food freedom.

Reach out and Book a free call with me here I was once addicted to dieting myself, so I get it!

Much love and peace in the New Year!

Karen Louise, your anti-diet dietitian since 2005

This article was inspired by  Bravespace nutrition article:  “New Year, New Me” Pressures to Lose Weight & What To Do Instead