Does your body look worse off diet?

One day you are eating “clean” and you love the way your body looks.

The next you eat less “clean” and automatically you don’t like what you see in the mirror. You can even claim you gained weight over night.

Why Do You Think Your Body Looks Worse When You Are Not Dieting?

Apart the fact that it is virtually impossible to gain 1 kg of body fat over night (and you know this), feeling that your body looks worse when you’re not dieting can stem from a variety of factors, including:

1. Societal Influences: Society often promotes narrow beauty standards and an idealized body image that can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction with one’s appearance. Media, advertisements, and social media can create unrealistic expectations about how our bodies should look. When you’re not actively dieting, you may compare yourself to these idealised standards and perceive yourself as falling short.

2. Personal Expectations: If you have set specific expectations for your body based on past experiences or goals, not adhering to those expectations might lead to negative body image. For example, if you’ve previously achieved a certain weight or body shape through dieting, not maintaining that can make you feel like your body looks worse in comparison.

3. Internalised Criticism: Negative self-talk and self-criticism can significantly impact body image. If you have developed a habit of criticizing your appearance or focusing on perceived flaws, it can intensify when you’re not actively dieting. This critical inner voice can make you feel like your body looks worse, even if there are no significant changes.

4. Body Dysmorphia: Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition where individuals have a distorted perception of their body. They often focus on perceived flaws or imperfections that may not be noticeable to others. If you experience body dysmorphia, you may constantly feel like your body looks worse, regardless of your dieting habits.

5. Lack of Self-Acceptance: Body image is closely tied to self-acceptance and self-esteem. If you struggle with accepting and appreciating your body as it is, not dieting can amplify negative self-perceptions.