Why Wanting to Lose Weight isn't (always) a Bad Thing!
In recent years, dieting has been shown in a pretty bad light. With the increase in the amount of fad diets going around, pressures on having a certain body shape or size and the increasing prevalence of eating disorders, it’s understandable why people have pushed back on some of these harmful ideas, and unhealthy dieting culture. However, it’s important that we don’t ‘over-correct’ and start demonising all dieting or attempts to lose weight. Even though there are some ideas and concepts we definitely don’t want to perpetuate, the act of losing weight, or even just attempting to, can be one of the best (and healthiest) things an individual can do.
Now, let me be clear: you do not have to lose weight, or even want to lose weight. The decision to lose weight is ultimately, a choice. That choice may be forced upon you for health reasons, but I am not saying for a second that everyone needs to have weight loss as a goal or priority. Similarly, and this is of massive importance, it is not possible to know how healthy someone is just by looking at them. Just because someone appears ‘slim’ it does not mean they are healthy, and just because someone appears ‘overweight’ it does not mean they are unhealthy. So, we also need to avoid judging others based on their appearance, or pushing our ideas and preconceptions onto others. These are aspects of society, and of ‘diet culture’ that really need to go in the bin.
What also needs to go in the bin just as much, is this growing trend of telling people ‘they shouldn’t’ want to lose weight, or that they should just be happy no matter what their weight, shape or size is. This is because, once again, it is an example of pressing your ideas onto someone else. If someone wants to lose weight, don’t make them feel bad for it. And unless they are paying you or asking for your opinion, don’t even think of telling them whether they should or not: it’s none of your business.
The truth is, many people around the world are in a position where losing weight, or at least trying to lose weight, is likely to improve their health, reduce their risk of co-morbidities, and increase both the length and quality of their life. This is an unavoidable truth: for many people, losing weight is going to be good for them, and in some cases even something they need to attempt. Losing weight can not only save some peoples’ lives, but also increase both the quality and length of many others’ lives. It’s not something that should be frowned upon, demonised, or discouraged. As with everything, it simply needs to be put into the right context.
Two things can be true at once: weight loss is an incredibly beneficial and important goal for many individuals, and the pressure to look a certain way (and be a certain weight) that is perpetuated by parts of society and the media is incredibly damaging and harmful. It’s important that we start to separate these two ideas into their own separate context, and not get pulled into believing they are mutually exclusive. The fact that many people think they can only agree with one is symptomatic of how polarised opinions are nowadays. Let me be clear though, very few things are black and white, and weight loss is one such thing. At times, it can be a great goal to have, but we also need to try and maintain a healthy relationship with our own bodyweight, which often means not becoming obsessive about it (which is easier said than done).
Ultimately, I do believe that everyone should be able to be happy with themselves at any size, shape and weight, and also that no-one should feel defined by their weight. So please don’t interpret this blog as me telling you that you should want to lose weight (or vice versa). My entire point is that, without lots of information, understanding and context around an individual’s life, it is impossible to say whether or not they should try to lose weight or not. It’s possible to improve your health without losing weight, just as it is the case that weight loss can cause massive health improvements. It is not a zero-sum game, and we shouldn’t fall into the trap of believing it is one.
So, before you judge someone for dieting, or espouse the belief that all ‘diets’ are bad: just stop. Losing weight has transformed the lives of countless individuals, and will continue to do so in the future. If someone sets out to lose 10lbs and they do it, they should be commended and celebrated for doing so. By the same token, before you look at someone and decide (or even go as far as to verbalise) that they ‘need to lose a few lbs’: just stop. You’re being a dick, and you’re not helping anyone.
If you have questions, queries or concerns about weight loss, dieting or anything to do with nutrition, please get in touch with us at coretrainingpt@gmail.com - we would love to help you out, or just listen to what you have to say.
23 March 2021