
Things I Miss and Don’t Miss About Dieting
Although I no longer pursue weight loss in hopes of having a smaller body, there are a few things I miss about the institution of dieting.
Things I miss: Structure. Praise for “succeeding.” The excitement and desire that THIS diet will be the ONE! Feeling superior. Pride for working out harder than anyone I knew. Keeping a workout diary to record PR’s. Feeling like an inspiration to others.
Things I don’t miss: Ruining vacations with my husband because I had to workout or refused to eat somewhere I didn’t deem acceptable for my plan. Jealousy that others could have a “cheat meal” when that ONE meal would ruin weeks of work. Declining invitations with friends and loved ones because I’d rather workout or eat at home. Having a fitness-watch tan line. Obsessing about numbers. Crying all the time. Constant disappointment in myself. Not seeing the scale budge for 1,095 days in a row no matter how little I ate or how hard I worked out. Feeling like a disappointment to others when I couldn’t get smaller. Measuring body parts with a tape measure including my wrists & ankles. Extreme anxiety/downright anger when life happened and got in the way of my plans. Meal planning for 3-4 hours every Friday night. Inputting said meal plans in My Fitness Pal 7 days ahead of time, manipulating macros by tablespoons of food to get those percentages JUST RIGHT. Stressing about my MFP streak. Using social media for accountability. Eating things that I truly didn’t enjoy. Counting steps. Working out when I was exhausted or injured or both.
There are only a few things I truly miss about being on a diet. But honestly, the hardest part about not being on a diet is the loneliness. When practically everyone on the planet is on a diet, it’s difficult to turn your back on something so mainstream and bang your anti-diet drum loudly. So, I do it quietly and bravely, and hope that someday my tribe will grow. I’m okay with being a radical, because I know that being in a smaller body did not serve me. I refuse to grow old wishing I was smaller. Living my best life means enjoying it, and counting moments with loved ones, not workout hours, macros and carbs.

If You Enjoyed This Post, You May Like These, Too

Chopped Italian Salad

Chicken Shawarma At Home
You May Also Like

Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
August 2, 2020
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower
June 26, 2018