‘HAES/Health at Every Size’
Sustainable approach to weight loss and good health
Personally, I was in so much trouble over the past few years since I stopped following the Keto diet. I was constantly thinking about weight gain and how to lose weight. I tried intermittent fasting and working out, but the scale didn’t move. It was so depressing and heartbreaking. I began to search for a sustainable way to lose weight that listened to my body’s hunger and fullness cues and didn’t force me to eat less. This is called “Health at every size” or (HAES). It aims to promote self care by inculcating healthy eating habits, and dealing with weight stigma.
People around the world are leaving the diet culture. This can be seen through the movement “Health at Every SizeHAES” (Health at Every Size). HAES stands for health at all sizes. It is a philosophy that anyone can have good health and that no one size is a guarantee of good health.
Basics of the HAES movement
Self-acceptance
The HAES (Health at Every Size) movement encourages us all to accept and love our bodies. It doesn’t matter what your weight or size is. After reading about HAES, it became clear to me that I need to shift my focus away from weight loss and towards building healthy habits. This movement is about eating healthy food and exercising regularly.
I was frustrated and depressed by my failures to follow a diet plan. When I realized that I was overweight, but my vitals were normal, I was freed from the compulsion to lose weight. It is generally believed that HAES is a movement of people who have failed repeatedly in losing weight through diets. I agree with that belief. I felt more confident in myself when I accepted that I was active, healthy, and exercising well at 55. I was able to accept my body and start to think about healthy eating.
Say NO to the weight stigma
The stigma associated with weight has been around for a long time and is a social prejudice. Yes, I felt the same way for years. Even though I cringe when I see my photos, where I look “Reallyyyyy FAT”, I then see my picture from the Keto diet. I lost weight and my facial glow. HAES helped me realize that it is not the number on a scale that matters, but the feeling inside of you being healthy.
Is ‘HAES’ against losing weight?
It is a common belief that HAES promotes obesity and is against weight loss. I am a firm NO. This is a misinterpretation. The movement ‘HAES’ is not against weight loss, but opposes the idea of losing weight as a strategy for being healthy.
I was an Indian and I realized that the Keto diet was not sustainable when I tried to lose weight. My weight loss was not due to changing my eating habits. ‘HAES’ advocates a strategy that focuses more on changing behavior as the primary goal. Weight loss is possible if one makes an effort to adopt healthy behaviors. It’s all about looking at things from a different perspective. Instead of focusing on weight loss, ‘HAES’ is about eating healthy food and engaging in regular physical activity.
What HAES is against!
“Health at Every Size” is against…
Obesity and diet.
What can I do to follow HAES concepts?
I am learning to put my health and well-being first and to have a healthy relationship to food.
Before I close this blog, let me introduce myself as a 55-year-old woman who has learned to be happy with herself and accepted the fact that a happy, chubby body is better than an unhappy, starved body.
This is how I was during my Keto Diet ….
This is how I looked in 2012 when I was following diet culture. Hair loss is also a result of losing weight.
The HAES sustainable weight loss approach can make a big difference in your life. This is how I feel today.. feeling happy, healthy, and fulfilled.
I tried many diets from 2011 to 2021 and finally decided that I only need to be happy and healthy. I eat healthy food, and I do enjoy sweet treats. But I also exercise regularly and walk because it brings me joy.
What about you? Do you support diet culture or are you against it for weight loss.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.stayslimandhealthy.com/keto-recipes/10000-steps-per-day-customized-walking-plan-yay-nay-3/
