Please note that this is an Archived article and may contain content that is out of date. The use of she/her/hers pronouns in some articles is not intended to be exclusionary. Eating disorders can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.
By Quinn Nystrom, MS
As January began, I was inundated with mailers, targeted social media ads, and radio advertisements, all promoting the theme of “Achieve Your New Year’s Goals.” Every marketing piece I received was focused on one key message: lose weight and become the best version of yourself. Many of these ads emphasized the idea of “losing weight, but make it easy.” This onslaught of messages sparked a few questions in my mind: What if…
1. My New Year’s resolution had little to do with my waistline?
2. After nearly 20 years of struggling with bulimia, I had finally said goodbye to dieting because I discovered the truth?
3. I conducted my own internal research and found that when I was at my largest size, I was miserable, and when I was at my smallest size (when I competed in pageants), I was equally unhappy? My misery didn’t stem from my external appearance at all.
It wasn’t that long ago that I would prepare for January 1st, telling myself that when the clock struck midnight, I would have renewed focus and control over my eating and workout habits. Unfortunately, I would inevitably fail each time, feeling worse about myself than before. The marketing around New Year’s resolutions targets people like me, who have struggled with body image issues their entire lives. It promotes the idea that if we looked a certain way, we would be happy and satisfied with our lives.
Looking back on my 12-year struggle with bulimia before my first intervention, I realized something important: the number on the scale has nothing to do with my worth as a person. I don’t choose friends or partners based on their physical appearance, so why would I think others would choose me based on that criterion? If people do judge based on looks, let’s be honest—they’re simply not the right people for me.
I’ve found that when I’m happiest, I eat regularly, don’t monitor my intake, and take an Intuitive Eating approach. Regarding physical activity, I used to view the gym as a punishment for not being thin enough. I thought that if I spent more hours working out, I could change my body to fit societal standards. What a misguided perspective! Now, I’ve discovered a fitness studio that I genuinely enjoy. Yes, it helps me build muscle, and I run on the treadmill and use the rower, but what it does for my mental health is incredible. That’s what keeps me returning. I love the upbeat music and being surrounded by positive, supportive people. There’s no better feeling than walking out after completing a class.
Instead of setting unrealistic resolutions every January, I set intentions for my emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. My life feels complete, and my intentions for the year should reflect that.