We live in a society where there is so much pressure to look a certain way — to meet a standard that the world has put on us. This pressure that we don’t even realize is happening most of the time is translated into toxic habits that we create. We think that these toxic habits are what will make us look a certain way or fit in. Most, if not all, people deal with these daily pressures and expectations that have been put on both men and women, but the pressure seems to be a little more intense for the women of our world. We can’t get on social media or the internet without some pop-up ad or post promoting a new fad diet or skinny tea. This is a contributing factor to the toxic habits that we have created as a culture, and all of us have taken part in different toxic habits, whether we realize it or not.
There are so many reasons why we feel the pressure to take on these toxic habits, but specifically, I want to address the issue of toxic diet culture. We, as a society, have made it popular to constantly take part in the new fad diets. And though they sometimes work for a period of time, the diets rarely provide consumers with the desired effect. In the end, we end up disappointed due to the restrictions we put on ourselves. We decide that it’s not worth it and then feel even worse about ourselves if we fail. Restrictive eating is something that I’ve become very passionate about this year.
I have fallen victim to fad diets — trying to cut out things in my diet and trying to look the way that I want. I’ve believed so many of the lies society tells us will affect our weight and our physique, like: don’t eat past 8 p.m., carbs are bad for you, choose low fat options, and the list goes on. After educating myself through research and talking to certified professionals, I realize that restrictive eating is a terrible, normalized thing that our society has made OK Society tells us if we look a certain way or weigh a certain number that we are not good enough.
It’s so important to learn how to fuel your body with the nutrients that it needs in order to sustain a healthy lifestyle — which is more than just a 1,000-calorie diet. I believe in everything in moderation — even the “bad stuff.” I have become so passionate about this because it’s a problem that so many people face today.
I encourage you to not fall victim to these fad diets, and don’t get caught up in the toxic pressure that people have created in this world. Treat your body with the love it deserves; educate yourself and eat food and live your life in a way that creates happiness. Find worth in yourself and how special God has made you — I promise it will change your entire perspective.
