A Resolution That’s About Not Getting Thinner

This year I don’t have a resolution. I have a non-resolution. My New Year’s Resolution is to not have a resolution to lose weight, diet, or drop a pant size.

I see it every year — women vowing to lose belly fat, to stop eating chocolate, to detox diet.

And companies notice it, too, and they profit on it. Every DVD store has “New year, New you” displays of health and fitness DVDs, and diet books line display shelves. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against making yourself healthier. I have nothing against feeling more confident about yourself or taking better care of your body.

What I have a problem with is that all this diet-resolution hype is about changing yourself. The fact that you are not good enough and need to lose weight is a given, not a question. Instead of assuming that 2012 demands a “new” you, why can’t one, just one, commercial or article tell us that the current “you” is just fine the way it is?

Sure, I could use some more exercise. I could get into better shape and benefit from it. But what if instead of trying to change ourselves this year we devoted time to loving ourselves the way we are? Imagine books about accepting your hips, loving your love handles, and coming to terms with the fact that chocolate tastes good! Instead of some size two woman with crazy metabolism telling me to lose weight. I bet learning to love your 2011 body would make us happier in 2012, and may even be easier to do than lose weight.

So this year my resolution is to appreciate my belly. To be proud of my sizable white girl butt. That doesn’t mean I have an excuse not to exercise. It just means that there are so many beautiful bodies deserving love that don’t resemble Jillian Michaels.

Contact the author here: jennY@morningquickie.com