Diet Chatter
Diet chatter is the ultimate disruptor.
And because it is so commonplace, few of us consider the legitimate harm that comes from it.
That diet culture trick that made it possible for you to temporarily feel more comfortable in your body? That might be the first step in taking a vulnerable person from AT risk to IN struggle. I cannot count the number of humans who have told me about questioning themselves after learning of a ‘solution’ that requires outsourcing body wisdom. I cannot tell you the number of clients whom I have worked with whose eating disorders have been accelerated by diet culture chatter. Made more convincing by being provided with solutions from a trusted or loved or admired source.
That means on interacting with food that “healed“ your chronic illness? First, I’m so glad that you found something that works for you. Truly. I am. Second, your body is not the same as everyone else who lives with your condition. Third, making recommendations to people who are struggling with chronic illness, as though they are responsible for the outcome of their condition? That sucks. And while I know this is coming from a good place, it’s not helpful. We can read the same Dr. Google stories that you can.
That exercise program that left you with some semblance of a culturally glorified body? Cool, I guess. And your value on this planet has nothing to do with what your body looks like. Making movement recommendations to friends and neighbors and strangers is unwelcome. And because genetics account for the majority of one’s phenotype, what we look like, one person’s exercise is not going to make another body look like theirs. And that’s not the point of moving, anyway.
Your body is not a problem. And before you share your sparkly tips, recognize that the people who are receiving your information also exist in non-problematic bodies.
