Weight loss resolutions don’t work – focusing on health and well being can be better
When we focus on improving health, rather than losing weight, there is a greater likelihood to engage in physical activity long term.
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January is the time of year for setting New Year’s resolutions for self-improvement. For many, these might be health-related – eating better, catching up on sleep, reducing how much they drink, exercising more or losing weight.
The values of diet culture are pervasive and include the celebration of weight loss and body manipulation. And with that often comes pressure to conform to unrealistic ideals and the assumption that thinness always represents good health.
As such, New Year’s resolutions connected to our health tend to be hijacked by diet culture. While it’s admirable to invest time and effort into improving one’s health and well-being, it’s counterproductive to decide that the number on a scale, the size of our pants or having defined abs are indicators of success in our pursuit of well-being.
This year, we want to invite people to consider weight- and body-neutral resolutions that prioritise how we feel and function in our bodies and minds and take a more holistic view of health.
A weight-neutral approach to health focuses on pursuing health-promoting behaviours that are under our control, maintaining a positive relationship with movement and eating and challenging negative stereotypes about people in larger bodies.
Weight-loss resolutions
As researchers of body image issues with our own history of being harmed by...
