Reshaping The Diet Mentality

I read with interest online today this article about a new staff health program at the St John of God’s Hospital in Subiaco, Western Australia.  While a shame about the weight loss focused headline, the actual article I find really comforting and hopefully a sign that the uselessness of diets is reaching wider audiences. 

The six week Reshape Fitness Program is being delivered by the hospital dietetics co-ordinator and I really like her philosophy on helping the hospital staff achieve greater wellbeing including focusing on mindful eating, no weighing of participants and finding ways of making exercise more enjoyable –

“It’s getting away from the diet mentality, which just sets people up for failure in the long term.”

Yes.  Indeed it does.  Bravo to the hospital for being courageous with this initiative and moving away from the quick fix weight loss ‘solutions’ that are so often sold to people, leaving them with nothing more than devastated self esteem and a higher body weight than prior to going on a miracle cure diet.  We need to move entirely away from this dangerous dieting mentality and embrace more wellness and wellbeing programs such as this one.

I’m not surprised to hear that the hospital is basing this program on the philosophies of one of Australia’s foremost doctors and rejector of diets – Rick Kausman.  Dr Kausman’s amazing  book “If not dieting, then what?” is an antidote to the dieting culture.  I have recommended it to many people who were struggling with weight related health issues and trying to find a way to be has healthy as possible – without punishing diets.

I wish the hospital all the success in the world with Reshape and hope it helps the hospital staff be more body confident, happy and healthy. I hope other hospitals (and indeed workplaces) take note!

Image: In My Community