The Air We Breathe: Finding Well-Being That Works for You

E23. Crash Course in Diet Culture From Social Media with Molly Quinn

• Heather Sayers Lehman, MS, NBC-HWC, NASM-CPT, CSCS, CIEC, CWP • Season 1 • Episode 23

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Today, I’m chatting with Molly Quinn about her journey through diet culture and how it has impacted her life mentally and physically. 


Molly interned for me this past year and worked closely with me on intuitive eating, eating disorders and disordered eating, and other aspects of diet culture. 


I love talking to Gen Z and getting their insights on diet culture and seeing how closely our experiences align with each other. 


From her first experiences with diet culture on Pinterest to her conscious decision to avoid social media and the influence it had on her diet culture experiences, we discuss it all. 


Join us as Molly shares her journey of shifting away from diet culture, the research she conducted and the knowledge she gained about the damaging effects of dieting. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Molly! 




Bio:

Molly has recently graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor's in Psychology. She was an intern last fall with Alliance for Weight-Inclusive Health, and has conducted research with Dr. Tracy Tylka regarding intuitive eating. Molly has a passion for learning more about the diet culture, eating disorders, and intuitive eating and plans to continue her research regarding eating and exercising habits.


Resources:

Speaker 1:

Hi and welcome to The Air We Breathe. I'm your host, heather Sayers-Laman. I'm a certified intuitive eating counselor, national Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, certified personal trainer and weight-inclusive well-being program consultant. The Air We Breathe is a podcast sharing stories of individual experiences in diet culture. Some guests have recently become aware of diet culture, while others are well-versed in the impact and have created a career in advocacy and equity. No story is more worthy than another. The goal is to help people understand that they are not alone in their struggles, and the systems that create these issues impact us all. This podcast contains talk about eating disorders and disordered eating. We do minimize mentions of specific behaviors and numbers, but it's still a topic nonetheless. There also could be some swears and or adult language here. Choose wisely if those are problematic for you. Hi and welcome to another episode of the Air We Breathe podcast.

Speaker 1:

Today I am chatting with one of my former interns, molly, as I do love to hear what the Gen Z is saying about diet culture. It was good chat because I know Molly. I kind of know her journey, but it's also after spending time with me and doing research on oh my goodness intuitive eating, weight stigma bias, having a healthy relationship with food, health, sustaining behaviors. It's really interesting to see kind of what she did with that information and to see her. You know it's a semester later in what she's chatting about.

Speaker 1:

So I do hope that you enjoy listening to Molly's reflections because again, you know I'm 52 and listening to somebody that's 22,. Also the same experience as a diet culture which I'm like we're still doing it, but somebody young that really worked hard on escaping as well. So enjoy this episode, all right. So today I have a Molly Quinn on the podcast and I'm very excited to chat with Molly. Molly was an intern with me last fall. It's been nice to watch her progress and learning a lot of different things that she hadn't really learned in school and getting definitely a different perspective. So I'm excited to hear kind of more about your story because I feel like I know quite a bit, but these questions probably made you peel the onion a little bit more.

Speaker 1:

So first Wendy, just tell us a little bit about yourself.

Speaker 2:

So I'm Molly Quinn. I am a senior at OSU. I'm graduating soon. Just looking at different positions now.

Speaker 1:

currently, this past year I did research on intuitive eating and embodiment and that was really cool to kind of look more at diet culture and how we can combat that through like intuitive eating, and that's kind of where my interest lies as well Got you And also, of note, anybody who's in the intuitive eating world that Tracy Tilka was your advisor, so you're coming from quite a resource for intuitive eating, since she's been really instrumental in creating scales and looking at measurement and actually doing research to prove the validity of intuitive eating as well.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, she's like probably one of the poster researchers for intuitive eating, so I'm just so grateful to have her as a professor and have her as an advisor. She just truly is Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely Well, tell me what your understanding is of diet culture.

Speaker 2:

I would say that diet culture is society projecting, like various dieting and like restricting eating habits, like cutting out food groups and restricting eating in any way, and just like masking it and labeling it as like a lifestyle or clean eating and just really promoting dieting as a means of how we eat and how we treat food.

Speaker 1:

Yes, Okay. so tell me your first memory or experience of diet culture.

Speaker 2:

My first experience was when I was in middle school, so I was probably like in seventh or eighth grade and I just got in a Pinterest account and I was kind of just scrolling through and I would just see so many different like dieting plans and like how to like cut out sugar and different food groups like carbohydrates and like what like junk food or and like how to lose like a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. And I just remember seeing that and being like oh my gosh, wow, like if I do this one thing, like I'm gonna lose like a lot of weight really quick, and I kind of like fell for it, being like just like a really naive, like eighth grader, and that's kind of introduced me into dieting, yeah, which is so interesting because I don't know that everybody thinks of like what this is doing to people that are young, because I know certainly there are a lot of people who see it as adults and are like what?

Speaker 1:

I can lose this amount of weight. They're like, yeah, but I mean, certainly when you're younger you don't have the critical thinking skills to be like, wait a second. Like you're like oh look at this And did it like seeing it there? did it seem like then it was something like you should be doing, or did you feel like it was something you should have be doing?

Speaker 2:

I felt like something that I should be doing because, especially like being young and as I was like maturing and growing, like, i wanted to have that like thin body type, and so I was like, oh, this is a way that I can achieve that thin body type that I'm seeing portrayed like in movies or like magazines and advertisements. So it was like it gave me a way that I could like to me. it was a way I could achieve that.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, well, it certainly makes sense. if you're seeing it everywhere, then it must be true that it's doable and you can do this, so it definitely makes sense. Well, what ways do you feel like diet, culture has been the most damaging for you?

Speaker 2:

It created a lot of like disordered eating habits and I think it, too, affected my exercise habits as well. I think it was really something that was really overlapping for me And just looking at it now, it was just something that held like I would describe how a lot of control over me. It was something that was very dominant in my choice, making like social events, like where I went or how I interacted at certain events, like if I knew, like oh man, like they're gonna have a pizza party, like oh, what is something else that I could eat, or just making sure, like I ate something before I went so that I didn't have to eat anything there. So it didn't really like control a lot of different aspects of my life that seemingly, in the beginning of starting all of this didn't seem like it's. It felt like something I was doing was healthy. It felt like I'm being the healthy one right now.

Speaker 1:

Well, and it is so interesting because, obviously, like, when anybody thinks of like a teenager and they're invited to something you would hope that they're not like, oh my gosh, what are they serving? Am I gonna be able to eat anything? Like, is this gonna be healthy? You know, like that you'd hope that would be kind of like the last thing on your mind that you'd be excited about. You know, a social event, and I think it is you know kind of why it does like steal so much from people's, because it, you know, enters into this like ongoing conversation of is this right or is that right, is this better or is that better? Like, oh, is this bad? Like you know, like this, this whole dialogue that you know is endless and exhausting too.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah. And then too, it creates like so much anxiety about going and doing those things too, so it's like it takes out some of the enjoyment of like being around your friends and just like going to a restaurant and just enjoying like being in those kinds of settings. It takes like, instead of your minds are elsewhere than where it should be.

Speaker 1:

Do you feel like? did your parents notice any of that? Or I mean because of this, socially, obviously, when some people are you know what unquote being healthier, which that can also be disordered people like Oh my gosh, this is so great that you're really focusing on your health. Did they notice a change in you?

Speaker 2:

I would say that it took a while for them to kind of pick up on it. I feel like it was something that I kind of like held myself a little bit. I didn't express it as much that it was like creating like anxiety in me, but definitely as I got older and they became to become more prominent, like aspects that I was like always kind of portraying when I was going out or just like in my own family functions of like their big birthdays and I wouldn't be eating any of the cake, and just like seeing how that reflected physically too, as when it started becoming of comments of concern and like more questions like okay, are you okay? And that those kinds of conversations kind of started to happen.

Speaker 1:

I think that's good. There's always questions of concern because I think what does really happen is people just kind of will laud it and celebrate it versus you know how is your mindset with all of this? And again, like if something is creating more anxiety, like obviously that's nothing that anybody needs.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I would say that in my experience it was my parents were expressing concern and family members, but it was more of like friends and people like my age were viewing it as wow, you're really healthy or like, wow, you have like such good self control. So it was interesting to see how I had that experience of people my age like applauding it more, And I feel like sometimes it's the opposite for some people.

Speaker 1:

It is interesting where the concern comes from and then where the you know, really propping it up comes from, because it's also sort of difficult to walk away if people are like, oh my gosh, molly, look at you, you're doing so good. It's hard to, even if behaviors are causing you stress and anxiety. it can be hard to leave those behind if everybody else is like you're great, yeah, yeah. Well, what ways do you feel like diet culture has been beneficial for you?

Speaker 2:

This is kind of a tough one, because I feel like there's parts of this where it's beneficial in some ways and then, like on the flip side, it might not be like as beneficial. I'd say that it like did teach me to be like disciplined and like to practice like some self control. There was points where it was probably over the top but like there and like underlying was like beneficial to like kind of learn how to be like a little bit more disciplined and kind of have like a regime which can be healthy if done in bad balance. And two, i think it also kind of taught me the impact that food can have on your body and about how food can be a good resource and how abusing that can not can have like a negative effect on your body. So that was like an important for me to learn.

Speaker 1:

I think learning that nuance and middle ground is challenging. Challenging for an adult, but I mean, especially if you're younger, it can be so hard. And I think what you know diet culture really takes away like your trust in you and puts it into the rules Like, okay, well, gotta follow this and I've got to follow this. Because then you're kind of like am I shedding rules? Am I just creating another rule to buffer this rule versus you know, just listening to your body or you know, and making decisions in those circumstances, i think and that's what I think makes it alluring for a lot of people because they're like I don't, i don't want to have to think about it, i just want a rule and that'll tell me what to do, and then I'll be all done and you know, easy peasy.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it definitely is way easier. If you tell me when to eat, how much to eat, you can just check it off the list and follow as you go, rather than like taking the time to be intentional and listening to your body. It definitely is the harder route sometimes, yeah, and I think it's.

Speaker 1:

I don't want to say I mean it's just like out of a social norm. I think too to you know, by arrive at a restaurant now I have to like do something warm or something cold? Do you want something crunchy? Do you want something smooth? you know, just ask the questions, which I think it definitely gets easier over time because you know you kind of. I well, i will say I sort of eat similar foods. I don't, i don't have a. well, i guess I have like a toddler palette is what I usually say. I'm not an adventurous eater with a lot of textures and things like that, so it keeps my choices probably smaller than some people.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, Well, you know what you like.

Speaker 1:

I do And I know yeah, i definitely know what I'm like. Ooh, i can't, which is again like it's almost embarrassing as an adult to be like. I would love to eat that, but it's very slippery. I cannot eat foods that are slippery. But thank you so much for your offer. Well, what sources of diet culture do you feel like are most persistent and influential?

Speaker 2:

I would say like conversations that you have with like family and friends and like co-workers and new acquaintances. I feel like it's very much People. It's like it's kind of like this consistent Consensus that everybody's come to that like dieting is a lifestyle and clean eating is the way to go And it's like the healthiest option out there. And everyone's always talking about like oh, did you hear what the newest superfood was? or did you guys hear about this new diet? That's like supposed to be the best diet and I feel like that just it makes it so persistent because it's It's like a topic that everybody kind of Kind of veers to sometimes, and it's like a topic that everyone kind of like oh, i know, like I know how to diet and I know what dieting and I know like how it can like. Oh, i'm trying to lose weight Or I'm trying to like achieve this, and I think that's one of them, one of the more influential ways that diet culture Just continued on yeah, i think it.

Speaker 1:

What have my best friend on, ali, as you know, and We just talked about like how much we connected around diet culture for years. I mean when I say years, like over 30 years of you know talking about it, which now it's funny, like you know, because we talked about intuitive eating, yeah, you know, and like how do I change my relationship with exercise and all of those things? and I see that Connection point in so many different ways. I'll see people that, okay, well, when we get together, we just, you know, diss on our bodies together and talk about you know, oh, like I'm a mess, you're a mess, and then other people kind of do, though, like okay, well, here's the next thing, like you're saying, like here's the next thing I'm doing, and it really is Again with like the mental bandwidth, like what, what else? like could we be Talking about if we weren't talking about this?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah, it makes me think of Mean girl, mean girls not seen where they're like looking in the mirror And they're all kind of like saying some part of their body that they don't like, and then they like turn to the new girl And then they're like expecting her to like continue on with that same conversation of like Criticizing their body, and I feel like that's, that's like an example, bull, of like what you're saying, that people, just you have your kind of clicks that sometimes we all we tend to veer towards Different conversations about like dieting or whatever it may be now most people, when I asked them that question.

Speaker 1:

They say Social media. But you don't really use social media much, correct? Yeah, i do not, and is that a conscious choice?

Speaker 2:

yes, i, i didn't get it when it first came out, when I was young, and I just can kind of persistently stuck with that choice just because I know me and I know that I tend to compare myself a lot, and So I knew that if I got social media that I would just be like constantly looking at other women And what they looked like and just comparing myself. So I'm very glad that I did not get social media, because I would have just been really bad for me. Yeah, but you're 22, right Yeah.

Speaker 1:

So does that, like, what kind of impact does that have socially if you don't have Social media? like, does it make it hard to connect with other people, or is it just totally fine? It's not that big of a deal.

Speaker 2:

I would say with like a mixture of. Most people don't think it's like really that big of a deal. Some people are like, wow, that's so awesome, like I wish I could have, i could get rid of social media, because I know like that's a very addictive thing. And then there's also some people where it's kind of like a little bit of judgment, i think. If people think that if you don't have social media, that you like think you're better than them or I don't know exactly what the What is going on with that. But I don't know, i get like mixed your stuff, and I think that everyone likes to kind of like snoop on everybody a little bit, and some people don't really like that. They can snoop up on me, but I kind of like that.

Speaker 1:

There's an air of mystery around Molly Quinn.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, i like it, like that.

Speaker 1:

I think it's interesting and I also applaud you for doing something that you know is a better choice, mental health wise, and getting a little bit of blowback or, you know, maybe not fitting in in certain scenarios, but you know, still doing that, knowing that that works best for you.

Speaker 2:

Can only imagine. I mean, i think I've seen like on some other people stuff, just the images that are out there and like the impact that like face-tune and editing your pictures. It's just a really negative space and the fact that anyone can post a picture out there and edit it up and Make it look like not even them anymore, it's just like really damaging and puts like a really unrealistic expectation out there Or what.

Speaker 1:

I'm just like sure you've seen, you know different articles about the research of how. I mean certainly the articles I'd seen a bit about young women and I know it is the same for young men about how harmful it is, depression, anxiety. But you know body dysmorphia and comparing, contrasting, so Obviously you're on to something. And I have seen some articles about kids moving to flip phones So that they're not on their phone as much as well. It's fun.

Speaker 2:

That is a brave choice. I don't know why go to a flip.

Speaker 1:

My texting life would really change quite a bit. Yeah, so do you feel like you have perpetuated diet culture, either consciously or unconsciously?

Speaker 2:

Mmm, I would say both. I would say both consciously and unconsciously done it. I do remember having like conversations with my friends, like Telling them about the newest diet that I was doing, or about like telling them about how like I've decided to like completely cut out sugar Or fast food or whatever it was. At that time I'm like I would have some friends that would come to me like for advice And I would like, you know, tell them all about dieting and I would tell them all about like Different exercising and just things in those realm. And looking back at it, i like really regret talking to them and like incur, like just perpetuating it and continuing it on, thinking that I had the right answers or thinking that I had the healthiest options out there, and okay.

Speaker 2:

I was gonna say, and too I think, unconsciously, I think people pick up on your behaviors and what you're doing. So I think how I was eating at parties or how I was eating in social events to kind of influenced and kind of perpetuated that diet culture mentality.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I think and I know, and I just constantly realized more and more especially of Heather's, a fitness person, and then having different behaviors, that I was like, well, this shows that you know I'm pretty healthy, but then like having these other behaviors over here that are like and these say otherwise, and I think that I mean, i think that's so much of the mess that we're in. Also, and I'll say, as you know, a health and wellness professional is like we have plenty of issues, and people are like, oh, but look at these normal health and wellness people And it's like no, no, there's a heap of issues on the side, And so you shouldn't really just be either assuming that somebody works and how.

Speaker 1:

my assumption is, if you work in health, that you know you might have some sort of unhealthy preoccupation with health, just like you know your psychology major. we say about psychology major like oh yeah, something going on Which I think you know. it is just interesting with the influence piece, like a lot of times, like I think diet culture has taught us to look to the wrong influences And that's why you know disordered is like normal, now admired And it's like Oh, no, not really Yeah, yeah, you definitely, yeah.

Speaker 2:

People definitely are like Wow, you, you're such a good eater, like or like Oh, wow, i wish I had yourself control when you like. Don't pick up like a brownie or cookie at a party. That's definitely so common.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, i definitely have heard a lot of that And you know I think it is unhelpful also because then your disordered brain is like guess who's killing it.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that is so true. It's like keep it going. Wow, look, everyone's noticing you.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, exactly. It's the same with, like people comment to go on the weight loss. I mean, i think that if people didn't comment on bodies as a rule of thumb or food like it really would kind of cut the impact a lot too. You know, because again the disordered voice can be so loud And it really loves a cheerleader. It's not helpful to have all of the body talk and food talk. Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2:

Oh God, i was gonna say that I do to remember, like one of my friends in high school, like expressing like weight loss concerns, and it was interesting that, like you were saying, like when people make comments about like weight loss, even when it was like kind of negative and like a concerning manner, you're still, it's still taken as like Oh wow, they're noticing that I'm losing weight. So it's interesting that, even when it's coming from a point of view of concern, that it still is like encouraging those behaviors.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, haters, i think it's all just jealous of me. Yeah, it is really, and I think that is kind of the harm, that having the disordered behaviors amplify that voice, you know, because I always talk about all the voices in our head is the committee, and then when you're in a really disordered space, like that person is like leading the show And it doesn't have the ability to hear concern for concern's sake. You know, a lot of time it's like, oh well, you're just jealous, or I definitely remember hearing that one point and really literally thinking like probably just jealous. It's like I don't think they're actually concerned. But you know the kind of eating disorder, disordered eating voice just can't hear. That you know, which again, is like a huge danger sign of people are expressing concern. You can't hear it like that is even more concerning. Yeah Well, what messaging do you feel counters your previous influence?

Speaker 2:

Intuitive eating. I remember Dr Tilka talking about it And then I was really interested in doing an internship with you because you're promoting intuitive eating so much And I just remember hearing like about how it's like listening to your biological hunger and your society cues and your fullness cues and like not holding back on cravings, and that aspect of it really blew my mind. But I was like what you're telling me, that I can like eat the piece of chocolate if I want to. That's just like completely throughout all of the dieting information that I've ever known like read out the door And I just remember that was like really intriguing to me And it was just I just wanted to like learn more about it because it was just not a narrative that you hear in diet. It just is suppressed by dieting culture.

Speaker 1:

It wasn't a hot topic on Pinterest.

Speaker 2:

No, i've actually looked and I don't really see much anywhere about intuitive eating on like Pinterest or different those kinds of things.

Speaker 1:

It doesn't have the same sizzle as lose x pounds and x days, that's for sure. Yeah, listen to yourself, boo boring. Yeah, what messages helped you become aware of?

Speaker 2:

diet cultures impact on you A lot of the research that I did for you really brought to light a lot of this like really diving in and really looking at dieting and about the effects of dieting, and like learning about how losing a certain amount of weight really quickly is not healthy for you, and that oftentimes, like what we gain right, really like just shed the light of how diet dieting is not the way to achieve health, and that really helped me become more aware about how I was like fitting into dieting, being healthy, and it was like countering that And to remember watching like those bud feed videos of how it would show like the ideal woman, like the ideal body type for women, over the years, yeah, and just how it fluctuated so greatly And I was like, wow, well then, why am I even trying to achieve the body type that it is now if in like a few years that you're just going to change on me?

Speaker 2:

That was a really. That was something that really kind of shipped my mind on trying to achieve the ideal body type Yes, the goal line will be moving.

Speaker 1:

So yeah, buckle up. Yeah Well, what shifts have you made to free yourself from diet culture?

Speaker 2:

Really just practicing intuitive eating. You know, just trying to really be mindful when I'm eating, enjoying eating, just like knowing that eating is like a pleasurable thing that I should be enjoying, and to kind of like slow down and be more mindful And again just like letting go of that like ideal body type. You know, appreciating my body for what it looks like and what it is, and just doing just nourishing my body through food and exercise that I enjoy and is in meaningful to me And really just trying to strive for like overall wellness rather than the external reasons that motivated, like my previous disorder-eating behaviors.

Speaker 1:

Well, what other shifts would you like to implement in the future?

Speaker 2:

I would like to like keep speaking out about diet culture and just like talking about my experience and just continuing on research around intuitive eating That's why I love my research thesis that I did for this year and just continuing to learn about how to implement more healthier practices of intuitive eating and life-enhancing movement, like being in two-minute with exercise and just promoting those and kind of using research to counter and provide real evidence-based reasoning for shifting from diet culture to more mindful practices.

Speaker 1:

How do you feel like, as a 22 year old, like that is received within kind of your social circles?

Speaker 2:

There are some people where they just like it, just it hasn't like clicked yet, so like I'll talk about intuitive eating and then I'll be like okay, okay, but like I should be still cutting out sugar, right, and so it's. There's some people where it's just like it really hasn't like the concept of intuitive eating just really like hasn't like settled in, and there's still a lot of like I should be trying to like achieve the healthiest body type and it's not like I can just tell that people like around me are still like oh, but we should be trying to get the healthiest like body type that we can. We should try to become like as healthy as possible and like through dieting and exercising. That's how we do it. And so then I'm the one that's coming out and saying like actually no. So it is kind of like a little bit of conflict of like not really taking in some of the stuff that I'm saying, but it's like slow process.

Speaker 1:

Well, do you think like health as a term you're worried about? being healthy is a replacement term for thin within your age group.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, i would say so. Like I think there's a big emphasis on like being fit and like being healthy, and that is like portrayed to like being thin and being muscular. I think that's something that a lot of people are trying to like in my age range are really trying to achieve right now. You see a lot of like going to the gym and lifting and then doing like bulking and trying to gain weight and then cut weight and then maintain weight. So there's a lot of like I said, if it's kind of a little bit different, because I feel like there's so many more like supplements stuff out there now and I think that's been really kind of replaced. It's kind of taken over dieting and then replaced like foods with like take of these protein powder to make sure you're getting enough protein in for the day. So I think that is, too, is kind of being involved with the diet culture and that term of like health.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, i definitely feel like health now has like a little wink to it. Health wink wink but also means either being thin and I know for more boys and men it means being muscular, achieving, you know, a certain aesthetic all the same, but it from a moral standpoint. I feel like health gets thrown around because like well, don't you want to be healthy, like you know, like because you're a terrible person if you don't care about being healthier. But it always feels very coded for an ideal body type. But it's easier to kind of have your moral high horse when you're saying it's healthy, especially like when kids are, when parents are really, you know, forcing a lot of disordered habits on to kids. Well, i just want my kids to be healthy. It's like, well, we all want our kids to be healthy.

Speaker 1:

But you know, having them have a healthy relationship with food is also very important as well. Yeah, yeah. So what hopes do you have for future generations?

Speaker 2:

in regards to diet culture, i would just hope that kids have a healthy relationship with food.

Speaker 2:

You know they are able to enjoy eating and just be able to really like, get that satisfaction in eating like a piece of cake or whatever it may be and just using, like viewing food too and realizing, like the energy that it gives you and the nourishment that it provides you. You know it's really important that we're eating enough food and getting nutritious food too as well, in order to like, help our energy levels and help us, our bodies, to grow, and just really viewing it in that way rather than something that can be controlled or managed. I feel like that's what diet culture is really pushing is like you can. You can manage your food, you can cut it into little portions, you can portion it out and time it out and control every little aspect of eating, and I just would hope that for future generations there's not that like meticulous aspects of eating anymore. And, two, that there's just more acceptance for different body types and sizes. You know that there's not that pressure to have to conform to the ideal body type that whatever it may be at that time.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, i think I feel like the youths are more accepting. I mean, it's like also it's on a spectrum. I see things that are more expect, accepting that we actually have diverse body types. And then I see also kind of the social media, where this, you know, especially if I see like a young woman, she looks like all young women, you know, because it's a look like you know, and it's still like really really heavy towards that and you know, making sure, currently, like that, your waist is small enough, very snatched, but your butt is also big enough, like I see, you know, and it's just like you know, it feels like such a replaceable aesthetic. So I think it's kind of interesting Because, you know, i see both things bubbling up. Yeah, yeah. Well, if you could recommend one thing for someone to move away from diet culture today, what would you recommend?

Speaker 2:

my biggest recommendation would just to like ask yourself and Reflect on how dieting makes you feel. This is like a question that really helped me To kind of begin rejecting the diet mentality, because I was reflecting on like how my body was feeling. I just remember just feeling tired all the time and weak, and I was just always hungry and I just never felt like Fool when I was dieting and I just like came to realize that this is like the opposite of what diets are Supposedly Promising. Like there's trying to tell you like oh, get more energy and feel stronger than ever. And so just realizing like how do you really feel in your eating habits right now?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, i think that's a Great tip because, again, you know, most people are looking outside for their cues of what should I be doing and Who's going to tell me and who do I want to listen to, versus like Just a simple question, like, no, Well, i am tired and I'm hungry, like you know. And is this health? is health feel like being tired and hungry, like I would hope not, because, also, i think the you know weighing Mental health as well, and it's not just what is my aesthetic, how's my vibe, but you know how do I feel mentally and emotionally.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah, it really it has more. You realize how much of an impact it has when you kind of take a step back and it take a moment to stop and really reflect.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, well, I'm glad you've been reflecting and you know it's, it's so nice, you know, as somebody who certainly wasted, you know, let's say, a solid 30 years of trying to be the thinnest, fittest person possible, every single day, all day. I really like Seeing someone well, i mean any other age, but you know your generation. That's like no, thank you. No, i'm Rejecting all of this outright and I don't I don't want to do it and encouraging other people. When I was talking to Elise rush The other day she still talks to people She said, daily, just trying to share that there's another way and you don't have to live like this again, like feeling, you know, completely restricted or tired or you know anxious about it all, like there, there is another way to be.

Speaker 2:

Mm-hmm. Yeah, yeah, there's much other things and like to enjoy Than to have to worry about what you're eating next.

Speaker 1:

Whatever, maybe, yeah yeah, absolutely Well, i'm glad we got to chat. Yeah, thank you so much for having me. Absolutely Well, thanks for being a guest and I know we'll be in touch, but I'm glad that we could do this, so it was nice to talk to you in this format too.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I know I really. I enjoy talking about this topic.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, me too so much. I was like what can I do? I talk about it more. Yeah, Yeah, all right.

Speaker 2:

We'll take care. Oh, go ahead, sorry, and I love to like, just like sharing, sharing experiences. It's just so helpful to like your other people go through similar things too. It's really like empowering.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, i think that was a big point of me doing the podcast, because so many people I talk to feel alone and this is just their issue and then their struggle and It's because they're not doing it right and it's like, no, this game is not set up for you to win in any way, shape or form. So, hoping that listening to the stories help people feel less alone and, to your point, more empowered, for sure, mm-hmm, yeah, all right. Well, good chat, you take care You too. Bye, bye. Thanks so much for listening to today's episode of the air we breathe podcast. I would love it if you would follow or subscribe To the pod. That way you'll get the newest episodes right when they come out. Also, please feel free to leave a five star review And let me know what you think about the podcast. Take care.