This interpretive lens you have chosen fits diet “cult-ure” (haha) perfectly. As I was reading, I thought about the utter devotion with which many people adhere to the tenets and practices of this “faith.” I have been to many WW meetings that resembled church services and heard many influencers rattle off sermons. I have seen the “miracle” supplements, work-out routines, and eating plans. I have also witnessed monk-like devotion to those “work-out routines and eating plans. Suffering holds an appeal—maybe even a place of honor—in a number of religious traditions and denominations, and it is common in dieting. The Christian idea that “the body is a temple” dovetails perfectly with “the body must be whole and flawless” philosophy of diet culture and the wellness movement. I could keep going here. Food for thought! Good luck with your writing!
Yes to all of this! I believe that humans are “homo religiosus”—religious animals. It just makes sense that we form a devotion to something like diet culture.
This totally resonates with me! For me, diet culture popped up often within my religious circle, as you so brilliantly laid out in your "Sinners in the Hands of a Skinny God." I remember during my Elisabeth Elliot phase, a chapter in one of her books actually advocated for fasting as a way to lose weight, because too many Christians are "comfortable". Being skinny was a way to show your devotion to sacrifice. Even at the time, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Came here tonight to read a few articles and feel grounded back in my fat lib values. I got to meet one of my favorite authors tonight and when I look at the photo I'm focusing on my size. Deconstructed diet culture 7 years ago and it still creeps up on me. Closed the photo and came here. Practicing the build new community principle by commenting. 💚
A fellow apostate! I am so happy you’re here. :) Thank you for reading and commenting. How did you decide to deconstruct diet culture 7 years ago? Was there an event that woke you up?
Long ED history and dieting history, then told a new friend I was trying a new religious diet thing (long story hehe), and she had been using IE and just so gently said "hey there's this thing called IE it's really helped me find peace with food maybe consider it." I read the book and listened to food psych and then HAES and now anti diet and fat lib are my homes!
This interpretive lens you have chosen fits diet “cult-ure” (haha) perfectly. As I was reading, I thought about the utter devotion with which many people adhere to the tenets and practices of this “faith.” I have been to many WW meetings that resembled church services and heard many influencers rattle off sermons. I have seen the “miracle” supplements, work-out routines, and eating plans. I have also witnessed monk-like devotion to those “work-out routines and eating plans. Suffering holds an appeal—maybe even a place of honor—in a number of religious traditions and denominations, and it is common in dieting. The Christian idea that “the body is a temple” dovetails perfectly with “the body must be whole and flawless” philosophy of diet culture and the wellness movement. I could keep going here. Food for thought! Good luck with your writing!
Yes to all of this! I believe that humans are “homo religiosus”—religious animals. It just makes sense that we form a devotion to something like diet culture.
😆
This totally resonates with me! For me, diet culture popped up often within my religious circle, as you so brilliantly laid out in your "Sinners in the Hands of a Skinny God." I remember during my Elisabeth Elliot phase, a chapter in one of her books actually advocated for fasting as a way to lose weight, because too many Christians are "comfortable". Being skinny was a way to show your devotion to sacrifice. Even at the time, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Ugh Elisabeth Elliot’s story did so much damage being held up as the paradigm for womanliness… I’m not surprised about the disordered eating advice.
Came here tonight to read a few articles and feel grounded back in my fat lib values. I got to meet one of my favorite authors tonight and when I look at the photo I'm focusing on my size. Deconstructed diet culture 7 years ago and it still creeps up on me. Closed the photo and came here. Practicing the build new community principle by commenting. 💚
A fellow apostate! I am so happy you’re here. :) Thank you for reading and commenting. How did you decide to deconstruct diet culture 7 years ago? Was there an event that woke you up?
Long ED history and dieting history, then told a new friend I was trying a new religious diet thing (long story hehe), and she had been using IE and just so gently said "hey there's this thing called IE it's really helped me find peace with food maybe consider it." I read the book and listened to food psych and then HAES and now anti diet and fat lib are my homes!
I love that! I have a history with religious dieting as well. So thankful to be done with all that!
This makes so much sense!
Thanks for reading!!