Thinness above all else, because a woman can only be beautiful if she’s slim, right?
Trends
From early teens, my friends and I tried every new diet we heard about. Teen magazines were full of them, so ideas were never in short supply. I remember once trying a crazy egg diet: eating boiled eggs for a whole week. I ended up vomiting, one friend kept passing gas, and another gained weight. I still smile thinking about it, though it’s sad that at 12, we were already caught up in this.
Guilt and Punishment
If I skip dinner, I feel proud; if I eat a cookie at night, guilt hits me. I praise myself for working out after work, but if I’m tired and rest, guilt follows. Running on weekends makes me love myself that day, but choosing the movies over exercise feels like I’ve sinned. I live with strict rules and sacrifices to feel good—and that’s just not healthy.
Privilege
We can argue and resist, but facts are stubborn: thinness is an advantage in every area of life. First, you’re more likely to attract men, giving you a wider dating pool. Finding a higher-quality partner means your children may inherit better genes. But it’s not just about that. People are kinder to you than to heavier women, and you’re more likely to get promoted at work than your “curvier” peers. Sadly, as long as this remains true—and it likely will—the “diet culture” will keep women hostage.
Social Pressure
We shame those who snack but cheer on dieters and celebrate weight loss. This is the real toxic diet culture.
Kind Words
When I lose a bit of weight, the shopkeeper, coworkers, relatives, my partner, and even my kids praise me. “You look great, Mom!” Thanks, sweetheart. I didn’t lose weight by dieting but because I was sick—but praise is praise, and it always feels good.
Good and Bad
Unfortunately, I categorize all foods in my mind. Salad is good, chocolate is bad. Mineral water is good, soda is bad. Chicken breast is good, dumplings are bad. It’s a tough way to live, but I can’t stop.
Body Shape
I’ve never been truly overweight—actually, I’m quite slim—but I’ve dieted my whole life. I always set a goal and wouldn’t rest until I reached it. Recently, I caught my reflection in a shop window and thought I could lose a bit more to be even thinner. Since then, I’ve wondered if I’ll ever be thin enough to feel satisfied with myself. The answer is probably no—never.
Together
Diet culture spares no one. It pressures every woman, even the skinniest models—especially them, in fact.
Under the Spell of Numbers
I downloaded a calorie-counting app, which was both a blessing and a curse. I did lose weight, but soon my life revolved entirely around counting calories. I had to stick to my daily limit, and every spontaneous cookie offered by a colleague, coffee during overtime, or a little sugar I snuck in required serious mental math. Eventually, my friends told me it wasn’t healthy. Calorie counting has since become an addiction I can’t quit.
Showcase
I know fitness influencers edit their photos, yet I still follow them on Instagram. It’s simply enjoyable to watch them—for motivation or just aesthetic pleasure. Even though I know I shouldn’t, because it only makes me feel worse when I look in the mirror.
