Diets Don’t Decrease Your Weight, They Decrease Your Happiness
Written by: Michaela Shaffer, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Diet culture is a $60 billion industry, with a 95% failure rate. We (especially women) are surrounded by the media telling us we need to look a certain way or else we are deemed unworthy. We are constantly sold this idea that if we shed “X” amount of weight, or “shrink down” to a certain pant size we then we will be beautiful, worthy and happy.
That’s absolute bull.
Our happiness, worth and beauty do NOT come from outside sources; that is where we get lost. If we attach our happiness or worth to something outside of ourselves (body weight, shape, clothing, houses, cars, people etc.) we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Anything outside of you can be taken away at any time without any explanation, if we have all of our happiness or sense of self-worth in an outside source and it is taken away, we then lose that sense of self and happiness and stay on that draining cycle of finding another source of happiness.
That’s exactly what diet culture does. It manipulates us into believing that if we purchase their product or program then we are guaranteed our greatest desires. We then blindly trust these companies and buy into their BS, attaching our worth and happiness to the outcome they “promise.”
Here’s the kicker: diets are made to fail us. If diets actually worked and were sustainable we wouldn’t be continually buying them. Think about it, these diets and products are created to give you that short term gratification, the company gets their money and it seems like a win-win. However, their approach is only short term or created so that you have to rely on them for the rest of your life. Who wants to live their life like that?! Truthfully it’s not even living at that point, it’s just a motion of survival.
If you truly want to be happy and find your self-worth then you must do some inner work. As cliche as it sounds, happiness comes from within; like I mentioned previously if your happiness is only attached to an outside source(s) then it will forever be irregular and you will forever be searching. But if you’re able to find that happiness from within it will never run out. Ever.
When you are able to step into life with a new found sense of gratitude, understanding, acceptance and appreciation for yourself, your body and life as a whole you become a magnet for happiness, health and abundance that everyone is attracted to! When you are able to take your power back into your own hands, say no to the lies and limiting beliefs that hold you back, it is then you have opened the doorway to eternal happiness. You don’t need a certain diet to make that happen, but you do need the right approach for you. Finding a lifestyle that can adapt, evolve and support you in every aspect of your life (body, mind and soul) is the key to attaining that happiness, reaffirming your worth and recognizing your beauty.
Follow me on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, and visit my website for more info!
Michaela Shaffer, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Michaela Shaffer is a Body Image Coach who helps women ditch fad diets, destructive eating habits and negative self talk to embody a life of health, happiness and utter confidence. Before she became an expert in the relationship to the body, she too battled negative body image, mindset and destructive eating habits. For years she tried to attain the "perfect" body, going to extreme lengths to try and change her appearance, size and weight so she could then be accepted, loved and found worthy. However, things took a turn for the better when she formulated a proven holistic way to heal her relationship to her body, mind and even her emotions to find worth from within. As a result she became the happiest, healthies and most confident version of herself. With these proven steps in her online programs, "Sassy, Sexy & Confident" "Nourished Soul Collective" and "Back to Basics" she's been able to serve women and help them break free from diet culture, false beliefs, negative view of self and guide them to a life of freedom, confidence, health and happiness.
