Fitness Friday: International No Diet Day

When I saw that today was “International No Diet Day,” I knew this was an idea I could get behind. Thankfully, I’m not of the mindset I might have been a few months ago when my reaction would have been, “Woohoo! I can eat all the ice cream and fast food I want!” Apparently, some restaurants use this annual event (launched in the UK in 1992 by Mary Evans Young) as a marketing tool for that mentality. I’m not falling for it. Instead, I recognize that this day should be about forgoing temporary denial and restriction in order to achieve permanent lifestyle changes.

I’ve tried many diets over the years and none of them has stuck. While I can limit myself for a while, I never find a “diet” sustainable. That’s why, this time around, I’m trying to think less about what not to eat and more about what I should eat. If I’m munching on carrots, I won’t be hungry for chips. If I’ve eaten a salad I won’t have room for french fries.

On the other hand, I can eat chips and french fries if I do so with an awareness to portion sizes. Moderation is the key.

The impetus behind INDD is to foster body acceptance. I’m trying to get there. I’m trying to realize that, no matter how much weight I lose, I’m not going to lose the stretch marks on my belly or my thick calves, my fine hair or these scaly elbows. I will always have less than perfect features on my body.

I want to focus on being healthy. The junk I’ve been using to fuel my body isn’t going to work. I’m not on a diet. I am on a mission. A mission to be the healthiest I can be for myself and my family.

Have you ever dieted? Are you dieting now? Did it work for you? What did you learn?