Over the past few months, my New Jersey cousin has cleaned up her seven-year old's diet. leading to a five pound weight loss. Dieting among the playground set has its share of critics. Any of us who were given a copy of "The Scarsdale Diet" or the latest regime clipped from a women's magazine as a preadolescent are likely cringing at the memories of half a grapefruit and dry protein toast.
Vogue writer Dara-Lynn Weiss, author of The Heavy, A Mom, A Daughter, A Diet, took more heat than a plate of Szechwan string beans when she penned about her seven-year old daughter Bea's weight loss diet, accompanied by a photoshoot chronicling the girl's sixteen-pound weight loss. The fashion writer recounted her own lifelong issues as a high-mileage dieter who had gone everywhere from Atkins and Jenny Craig to Weight Watchers and raw food. Weiss also detailed how she'd grab a salad away from her daughter who'd already eaten and penciled in every Oreo that would pass her daughter's lips. As a former compulsive dieter who's logged as many weight loss journeys as Weiss, I'll share it's tough work balancing our own food and body image issues with raising healthy daughters.
Yet, in my cousin's case, job well done!
By tossing out the sugared cereals and making healthy food and activity choices, weight loss is a bonus and not the "main event." For those of us who spent our adolescent through young adult years cycling between popular diets and fitness routines to fit into our skinny jeans, the link between body image and food choices often became an unyielding connection to break, requiring years of self-reflection along with a small fortune in therapy.
When we shift our attention away from pounds lost per week to changing our behaviors, we experience healthier outcomes. We're not as tempted to skip two meals a day to save calories for a margarita and chips or to spend an hour on the treadmill at the highest setting to burn off that birthday cupcake. Instead, we eat clean, unprocessed foods, choose exercise activities for enjoyment, and allow for occasional indulgences.
When my aunt shared her grandaughter's fitting room kvelling moment, I did a little victory dance inside. I'm so proud of my cousin and her parents for cleaning out the cupboards and making healthy food choices!
Whether you need support to shift from years of compulsive dieting to intuitive eating or guidance to help your children or entire family, email me to set up a complimentary health history at info@bethckramer.com.
Beth
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