When December 31st rolled around, I intended to write a blog post about my New Year’s resolutions and what I hope to accomplish in 2012.
Then I lost momentum for it.
Being bombarded with weight loss options on all media fronts at this time of year has left me irritated and disheartened. Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Lipozene, Alli ~ all these weight-loss companies permeating the television, radio and magazine advertisements. There is little respite from the madness, no matter where you turn. And too many people fall into the hype.
Weight Watchers commercial ~ Jennifer Hudson
“I’ve got to lose weight.”
“I put on too many pounds during the holidays.”
“I’m a fat pig.”
” Jennifer Hudson and Janet Jackson and Marie Osmond all look so fabulous.”
” It’s my resolution every year to lose weight ,and this year I’m going to succeed!”
A good friend of mine revealed that when she was in 2nd grade, her teacher asked the students to share what their New Year’s resolutions were. Although she was not overweight, she quickly answered, “To go on a diet!” At the time, she couldn’t figure out why her classmates laughed ~ she was merely repeating what she thought everyone resolved to do at the beginning of the year.
“Lose weight, lose weight, lose weight!”
It is ingrained in us, year after year, like an incessant neon sign.
Here’s what I think should be ingrained in us:
Improve yourself, as a human being, with compassion, positive thinking and opportunities to impact and contribute to the world.
Certainly, being healthy is extremely important. But fretting over how many pounds are on the scale…? Counter-productive.
Recently, I read a fat-acceptance blog post about one woman’s resolution to be absolutely fat in 2012: fat everywhere, all of the time, in everyone’s face, whether they like it or not. The concept possesses some merit where body acceptance is concerned, but it misses the mark, swinging too much in the opposite direction.
Why must we be absolutely fat or absolutely thin?
Why can’t we just be absolutely brilliant, beautiful and captivating as we are?
Resolutions be damned, people.
* Be extraordinary where you’re at *
Enchanted Zaftig 
I love you so much Holly!!! This is great : ) Here’s another tid-bit for you… when my sister was early teens, she had a check up at the doctors. My mom used to call my sister Rebuenesque…she was shapely and curvy, beautiful – NOT fat. So, after the check up, my dear lovely sister came home in tears, so upset. We finally got it out of her… she said “That Dr said that I am a Beast!!” My mom said “NO!! He said you were obese!” (according to his ‘chart’, I am sure!!). It didn’t matter at that point, the damage was done. Although there was never family drama about an eating disorder with her… I have always found diet pills, shakes and laxatives under her sink ; ( … very sad. She has yo-yo’ed for years, and is never happy with her shape. Too bad, too… because she is perfect.
Everyone is so busy working on the outside of themselves or thinking that is the priority that people forget to work on their mind and soul. Finding a balance of spirit, mind and body is what is important. Not having to weigh less than 100 pounds!
One goes from the extravagance of sumptuous Thanksgiving, sliding into decadent Christmas and then a week later into stark deprivation mode? I hate this time of year!! I agree…I am both saddened and angry. I have had it with the TV commercials!!!! I cannot stomach the freekin’ HYPE!! The magazine articles in January!! In February, they shove CHOCOLATE HEARTS in our face?! WTF? Is it always all about how you look? My doctor is on my fat ass about losing weight “for my cholesterol”, but what’s new? She’s thin and doesn’t know a thing about my struggle in life. Can’t I just be happy where I am at? I don’t think I ever have been—no, not even when I was “normal” sized….and gorgeous. There was a doctor when I was 21 who was adamant that I lose 5 lbs—-that’s right 5 lbs. because the “chart” said that’s what I should weigh. I hate that doctor. I hate that I tried to PLEASE him. My body was right where it should be and I tried to mess with it. Well, it showed me! At 21, I began my weight gain odyessy (i.e., a long series of wanderings or adventures, especially when filled with notable experiences, hardships, etc.). My body didn’t want to lose 5 so instead it lost 3 and then gained 10. — Lost 5 and gained 10— do you see where this is going? I’ve been on a diet since I was 21; I’m 55 and just want to be happy as I am now, fat and all. I AM MORE THAN MY FAT….much more. I wish society would look beyond that fat and see the true person encased within.
I think Jennifer Hudson looked a helluva lot better before!
You are right on with this. I totally agree. I’m so turned off by the commercials and the frame of mind that I want to throw out my TV. Stop the madness!