New Year, Same Amazing You
Every January, teens (and adults) are bombarded with ads, specials, and social media content promoting gym memberships, the latest no-diet diet, and every new product or service created in the name of wellness. That familiar “new year, new you” message is so ingrained in our culture that it becomes part of our vow that our New Year’s resolutions are going to stick this time because we’re ok throwing out our older selves and bringing in the new.
There’s no doubt – the beginning of a new year is a great time for reflection and looking forward. Remembering the lessons we learned and the joy and sadness we felt is as important as setting a goal for the coming months.
But many New Year’s resolutions revolve around bodies, and the diet industry knows it. The “new year, new you” tagline was designed by companies who profit from a $71-billion machine. The message reminds us how “wrong” our bodies are – you’re too fat, have too many stretch marks, and need to throw out the old you and create a new you to fit a specific skinny ideal to be accepted as good. We’re told to try their diet, product, or membership, only to find out that our bodies aren’t designed to look a certain way set by unrealistic beauty standards. When the diet fails, we’re back to feeling how wrong our bodies are, feeling ashamed, and jumping back on the next diet rollercoaster when the new fad arrives.
During the formative years of middle and high school, many youth desire to be accepted by their peers – to fit in. At the same time, they receive messaging about how looking one way will make them more acceptable. More loveable. And that restricting calories, unlearning natural hunger cues, and working out gives them control over their bodies. After all, if they can make their bodies look a certain way, they’ll receive that acceptance they so much want.
They’ll also begin their long-time relationships with yo-yo dieting, disordered eating or exercise, and self-esteem issues stemmed from not fitting in with an unattainable societal standard – not necessarily what will keep their bodies and minds healthy.
Perhaps a more accepting resolution is listening to what our bodies want, whether a delicious comforting meal or some kind of movement that brings us joy. Maybe it’s working with a therapist to heal ourselves and our relationships with food or movement, reconnecting with people who make us feel good about who we are, or doing things that bring us joy. Perhaps it’s looking inward and accepting that we can love ourselves and our bodies just as they are.
A Couple of New Year’s Resolutions That Celebrate You
Clean out your social media feeds. Unfollow influencers and friends and family who share diet culture-related content. Instead, fill your feeds with folks who share body positive content.
Learn about intuitive eating, joyful movement, and the Health At Every Size approach. And find support if you need it, whether from your body-positive doctor, a therapist, or a group.
Check out this list of ways to remember why your body is a good body.
What your body looks like doesn’t define your value or your ability to be loved. Use the new year to celebrate the incredible person you already are.