Fad diets come and go, but the idea of dieting itself has been around for centuries. In the 1820s, Lord Byron popularized the “Vinegar and Water Diet,” which entailed drinking water mixed with apple cider vinegar. In 1925, cigarette brand Lucky Strike launched the “Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet” campaign, capitalizing on nicotine’s appetite-suppressing superpowers. In 1975, a Florida doctor created the “Cookie Diet,” a plan where you eat cookies made with a blend of amino acids; Hollywood certainly ate it up. In 1995, the “Zone Diet” becomes popular, which calls for a specific ratio of carbs, fat, and protein at each meal. And currently, diet trends like Atkins, South Beach, and Paleo are taking center stage.
Perhaps with our growing reliance on technology, our obsession with dieting becomes even more intense, as we’ve seen Jennifer Hudson transform as she loses a jaw-dropping 80 pounds on Weight Watchers and models like Adrianna Lima walk in the Victoria Secret fashion show only eight weeks post-baby. So, after watching Hudson perform on our TVs or seeing Lima strut down the catwalk, it is not uncommon to especially take note of that small ring of flab that may encircle your waist, freak out about that “growing” double chin, or become angry with yourself for having that extra slice of pizza. At those moments, we seem to focus only about the cultural norms of attractiveness and vow to get skinny at any cost.
Many collegiettes admit to struggling with body issues. So, after flipping through magazines, watching TV, or simply walking across the quad, your motivation to lose may become even more intense; you may even make a mental pact with yourself to finally lose those extra five pounds you might have gained since Christmas-time. You may consider crash dieting with the hope of whittling down a few sizes by the summer-time and remember Jane Fonda’s famous catch phrase, “No pain, no gain,” that was branded in her first exercise video in the 80s.
At the same time, colliegettes forget that their worth is defined by something other than their bodies, as many young females have dreams bigger than being a size zero. For this reason, it’s easy to forget that strict dieting can stand against everything you stand for, as you may let unhealthy cultural pressure influence you, encouraging you to think irrationally that being skinnier will make you happier. You may even think, “If I get thin then it won’t matter if I don’t immediately land my dream job,” for example.
However, it’s important to realize that many of us will never join the tribe of models with their jutting collarbones, shoulder-blade wings, and concaving abdomens and that is ok. Ladies, you are too smart to be obsessed with numbers on a scale. Needless to say, for many of us, swimsuit shopping will never be easy an easy task and that is ok. Our bodies are different and unique and that should be celebrated.
Her Campus Bucknell encourages colliegettes to lead a healthy life. But, it’s important to note that changing your diet and your workout regiment is consistent with changing your lifestyle. Leading a healthier life requires motivation and dedication, so running everyday for one week of the year probably will not show too many desired results. Additionally, since each body is different, your body will respond uniquely to new diets and workout routines, so explore new foods and classes at the gym to find one that will make you feel best about yourself and practice self-love.
So, next time that breadbasket rears its head at the dinner table, don’t deprive yourself of a piece. Eating is a social activity and grabbing a meal with your friends shouldn’t feel like a constant, overwhelming fear. But most importantly, understand that a number on a scale will never measure your self-worth.
Resources:http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20653382_34,00.htmlhttp://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/advice/a14753/the-deep-end/