By Eboni Lacey
Who would have thought that just four years after the incredible rise of the body-positive movement, we’d find ourselves in 2025 taking ten steps back, with dieting making a comeback as a fashion trend?
Ozempic and WeGovy have the biggest components to this trend with more and more influencers posting their injections more than their outfits.
In 2023 more than $491 million was spent on advertising “diabesity drugs” like Ozempic, representing a 21% increase over 2022. Alongside that, there are presently over 4,000 active advertising campaigns on Facebook and Instagram advertising Semiglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic.
In addition to this every fitness influencer on the planet is trying to sell their eBook, exercise plan, fitness app and diet regimen and posts like “How I Lost 30lbs In 15 Days” and “What I Eat In A Day” are taking over Instagram.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being the best and healthiest version of yourself as you enter into a new year. But how do we know that we are making the best choices for ourselves and our bodies when we are constantly being manipulated by social media.
How do we say that our worth isn’t measured by our weight when our world continues to glorify thinness and instant weight loss over health.
Here are five ways you can survive toxic January diet culture and live your best life without constant anxiety over your body not being good enough.
#1. Refocus Your Instagram Algorithm
I love watching videos on my feed that inspire healthier habits, teach me how to boost my protein intake, and provide gym routine ideas.
However, tapping on a few reels with this content constantly leads me down a rabbit hole of before and afters. The first few before and afters I see I get motivated. But after several of them I start looking at my own body like “Why are you always a before picture?”
I then find myself sending a DM to yet another fitness account selling an overpriced diet and workout routine that I know I won’t stick to.
Can anybody else relate?
I’m learning that the best way to combat this problem is to set my Instagram algorithm and to be as detailed with it as possible.
By avoiding liking and saving these posts, and making sure to click the Not Interested option on reels and ads, I can readjust my algorithm to more content on body positivity, mental health and self-love.
Muting accounts is also a great option for accounts that are just not making me feel good about myself.
You can also now block weight loss ads in your Instagram settings.
#2. Set Realistic Goals For Your Health
I find that if I don’t set goals at the beginning of the year I often create unrealistic goals throughout the year often influenced by diet culture.
Instead of losing weight for vacation or achieving a great summer body let’s instead focus on the power of creating healthier habits like making better food choices, getting in more protein and finding joy in movement.
My number one goal for myself this year is to cook more and eat more whole foods.
#3. Prioritize What Feels Good, Not What Looks Good
Diet culture thrives on convincing us that our worth is tied to how we look. Instead, focus on what makes you feel energized and strong. Whether that’s dancing in your living room, enjoying a wholesome meal, or simply resting when you need it, shift the narrative from appearance to well-being.
Try This:
- Journal about how certain foods or activities make you feel.
- Create a list of activities that bring you joy and make you feel alive—commit to doing one each week.
#4. Ditch The Diet Talk
How we talk to ourselves and others in terms of our health is so important.
Be mindful of conversations about “good food” and “bad food” or “whether you were good or bad today.”
Don’t tell everyone in the office your plans about eating healthier because the last thing you want to hear from someone is “You sure you want to eat that?”
Instead keep your habits and plans internal and focus on daily journaling about your goals.
#5. Let Go Of The Feeling That You Are Not Good Enough
Even when I weighed 100lbs less I still wanted to be thinner. And this is something that I’ve got to let go of - the constant belief that nothing is ever good enough.
I’ve learned that I’ve got to accept my body and love it unconditionally rather than constantly judging and blaming my body for not being where I want it to be.
I’m embraced being grateful for a body that can move, walk, run, jump.
I’ve also learned that no matter how many years I have been unhappy with my body it doesn’t matter. I can’t change the past. All I can do is promise myself that this year, starting today, I will be happy with my body every single day of the year because this is the only body that I have.
I will embrace my body journey and appreciate the healthy habits I’m continuing to build. I will find joy and peace with my body and I encourage you to do the same.
And if you need any additional help you know I got you. Email me directly at TheIdentityOfShe@gmail.com and let's help one another survive toxic January diet culture.
I also put a little survival box together for you that includes four items for only $40.