Julia Taliesin|Wicked Local
By New Years Eve, the weight loss ads are hard to avoid. Companies calculate that January is when everyone resolves to finally shed the pounds, and, this year, it was all about losing the quarantine 15.
Well, quarantine isnt over, and January was full of tough pandemic news and political unrest. So, if that New Years resolution has fallen to the side, several local practitioners say it could be an opportunity to look at things differently.
Somerville dietitian and personal trainer Jessi Haggerty specializes in intuitive eating and size-affirming health care, concepts that have been around for a while but are now central to the Health at Every Size and fat positivity movements.
Intuitive eating is about how to help people honor what their body is asking for in terms of food, without goal of losing weight, she said. Its about honoring your bodys hunger and fullness, honoring cravings, and eating foods you enjoy and find pleasurable. Its what you want your life to look like we dont want our lives to feel restricted or miserable because were dieting all the time.
Haggerty acknowledged the pressure to lose weight is all around us, and noted that seeking weight loss is not necessarily a health-promoting effort.
Because we live in a culture that really prioritizes thinness and celebrates weight loss, most people I work with feel a pressure to lose weight, she said. The work Im doing with my clients is around body acceptance, and how to integrate behavior change that feels good for you, thats more focused on making yourself feel good versus lowering the number on the scale or trying to become smaller.
For people with chronic illnesses, or conditions that may in some way be helped by weight loss, Haggerty encourages self-compassion, education, and, again, listening to what your body needs when it comes to food and movement.
Unfortunately, a lot of patterns I see are what weve all internalized culturally: that our culture prioritizes a specific body type small and lean that we equate with health and which isnt necessarily true or helpful, she said. While I do talk to clients about protein and carbs, for the most part Im helping people develop a more helpful self-talk, to have curiosity and compassion around food.
Bethany Kregiel, a therapist at Somervilles Looking Glass Counseling, said she generally sees an increased focus on self-improvement this time of year. Kregiel specializes in eating disorders and OCD, and said she tends to work with clients to make sure any weight loss goals dont go too far.
I usually let my clients know up front that Im not a provider who promotes weight loss, and I work with them on understanding their current relationship with food and body image and how we can make that relationship better, she said. My approach is more about developing intuitive relationships with food and movement.
Kregiel, like Haggerty, guides her clients to listen to their bodys signals on when to move and what to eat.
Part of my approach with someone who has an unhealthy relationship with food and body image is understating their own bodys cues, accepting the cues, and accepting whatever their body is going to look like after following those internal cues, she said.
Kregiel also tries to get to the root of why weight loss is a goal, at all.
People get into this line of thinking, like things will be better for me if I lose 10 pounds, but thats not a solution if you have low self-esteem, she said. Thats going to be with you no matter what your weight is, so what is the root of desire to make this change, and is there another way to tackle this that is not the Band-Aid of weight loss?
CrossFit Somerville owner J.T. Scott, who also serves as Ward 2 City Councilor, has worked to create a fitness community that focuses on agency and strengthening peoples ability to create change in them and in the world.
We believe people who are stronger and more capable are better positioned to change the world, and we believe in the desire of most everyone to change the world for the better, he said. Its that agency that is the foundation of creating all sorts of positive social and structural change in the world.
Unlike other fitness venues, weight loss is not a primary focus in Scotts gym. When clients come in with specific goals like meeting a height/weight ration to join the Marines he works with them one-on-one, but general classes prioritize body safety while encouraging members to push their limits.
Its in how we model our behavior: none of our coaches are walking around talking about oh, Im so fat and slow, its I am how I am, he said. I think fitness and weight loss culture creates larger culture of shame and valuing people based on appearance, when the range of human normal is very wide.
Haggerty believes theres a lot to be gained when we stop fixating on weight loss.
Its so nice not to be obsessing over everything Im eating or not eating, it allows us to have deeper connections with people discover what youre actually passionate about, she said. It sometimes results in a career change, and people realize they have space for hobbies and other things they enjoy.
Kregiel agreed there is so much lost when weight loss is the only goal.
First and foremost are social interactions such a big part of the way we socialize is around food, and youre going to be taken out of the moment when youre obsessing over food eating when youre with other people, she said. It makes me sad when people limit themselves from having something they really want. Theres a lot of freedom that comes with letting go of a diet, eating what you want to eat, and not feeling bad about it.
Instead of diet and weight loss goals, resolve to focus on things you love.
Im not setting these weird diet goals anymore, Im focused on other things,said Haggerty. I have a new creative writing practice, and Im starting a book club. When I think about intentions or resolutions that have enhanced my life, any time Ive ever engaged in restrictive diet, Ive never felt it was really life enhancing. I encourage people to think about goals you can still have goals around food and body image but prioritize what is going to feel fulfilling and life enhancing.
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If you're ready to drop the New Year's weight loss resolution, this is for you - Wicked Local
