International NO Diet Day: May 6th
Have you been dieting recently? If yes, have you heard of the NO diet day?
May 6th marks the International No Diet Day. Dating back to 1992, it’s a day that promotes a healthy lifestyle by focusing on health at any size and raising awareness on the dangers of fad diets and various eating disorders including anorexia and bulimia. Having suffered from anorexia herself, Mary Evans Young started the organization “Diet Breakers” and then the first International No Diet Day in the UK. Since then, other countries around the world have gradually followed.
This day is celebrated by declaring it a day off of dieting, aiming at:
Appreciating one’s own body
Spreading the message of body diversity and no one “right” body shape
Raising awareness of weight discrimination, size bias and fat phobia
Focusing on following responsible and healthy diets instead of fad diets which are unbalanced diets and promise quick weight loss without exercising. Those can damage a person’s health on both the short term and long term by causing nutrient deficiencies, water loss and weight regain
Last but not least, honoring the victims of eating disorders and weight-loss surgery
Evan’s initiative was endorsed by the Institute of Medicine committee. They agreed on all the encouraging claims about body acceptance and the “no obsession with weight loss by individuals who are at or near desirable or healthy weights”. However, they reminded that obese individuals need to lose weight “particularly if the obesity is increasing their risk for developing other medical problems or diseases”, in order to prioritize health first and foremost.
Healthy eating and effective weight loss is for everyone and rarely a product of strict diets, deprivation or unrealistic weight goals. Following a personalized lifestyle plan of healthy eating habits, accompanied by physical activity is usually the most effective approach towards sustainable health, body satisfaction and weight control. The International No Diet Day is not specifically aimed at being a break from extreme or strict diets, but a promotion of the balanced lifestyle approach towards nutrition and exercise.
Following the no diet day mantra, switching to a healthier lifestyle should never be an all or nothing situation. For example, treats can always be enjoyed in moderation. Gradual alterations and regular physical activity prevent many of the frustrations and guilt that lead to giving up on new diet plans, while helping maintain a healthy body composition and a good relationship with food.
The NO diet day celebration reminds us to always cherish our bodies at all of its stages and conditions, to encourage long term efforts and objectives while taking into consideration social, medical and personal states.
Which brings us to the ultimate question: Instead of taking a break from an extreme diet once a year, why not live the no diet day on a daily basis?
Stéphanie