Understanding Size Inclusive Health Australia: A Revolutionary Approach to Body Positivity
If you're a girlie like me who has been struggling with weight issues, you've probably come across some advice that equates weight with health.
I actually feel sick thinking about how many times my weight has been brought up in the doctor’s office when I’ve wanted answers to a non-weight related health concern. In fact, one time I went in for a mental health plan & left in tears when I was told to lose some weight. 🤮
But what if I told you that your weight is not an indicator of your overall health?
That might sound crazy, it sounded crazy to me. But it's actually the core idea behind ‘Size Inclusive Health Australia’, formally known as ‘Health at Every Size’ (HAES).
Here we'll discuss what SIHA is, how it works & why it might be the best approach to help you achieve overall health & wellbeing.
So, what is Size Inclusive Health Australia?
At its core, SIHA is a holistic approach to health that rejects the idea that weight is the most critical factor in determining health. Instead, it focuses on adopting healthy habits & attitudes, regardless of your weight, shape, or body size.
SIHA emphasizes a person's individual needs, supports a positive body image & encourages self-care without any obsession with weight loss.
SIHA stands apart from traditional weight loss methods, which often emphasize calorie restriction & strict meal schedules.
Instead, the program focuses on integrating healthy habits into your daily routine. The approach encourages you to listen to your body's natural signals for hunger & engage in enjoyable physical activity.
💦 Hydration, rest, and stress management are also crucial components of a healthy lifestyle in SIHA, rather than just focusing on cutting calories & exhausting exercise regimes.
Body acceptance is a crucial aspect of SIHA movement, which involves embracing yourself as you are right here, right now. Rather than placing value on external validation or the opinions of others, the focus is on your personal growth.
This could involve engaging in self-care practices like meditation, emotional freedom techniques, or self-reflection, to create a positive relationship between your mind & body ⚖️
When it comes to healthy living, SIHA offers a significant advantage over other methods. While calorie restriction & extreme exercise may (or may not) lead to short-term weight loss, it can often leave you feeling drained & unsatisfied, ultimately resulting in weight gain over time.
Because we should all know by know that diets fail 95% of the time. Compared to SIHA, which prioritizes healthy habits & behavioural changes rather than weight loss, making it much easier to sustain your progress and incorporate these changes into your daily routine.
In my podcast ‘Weight, There’s More’ I got to unpack ‘Size Inclusive Health Australia’ with the amazing Zoe Nicholson. Zoe is a Melbourne-based practicing dietitian & nutritionist who has a deep love for food & believes in creating a positive relationship with it.
Our conversation revolves around 'Unravelling Size Inclusive Health’. We dive deep into what size-inclusive health means in Australia, why the BMI is problematic, and of course, the Intuitive Eating framework.
Zoe's insights are incredibly empowering, challenging the norms of diet culture and reminding us that our bodies are so much more than numbers on a scale. You can listen to the episode here.
SIHA is an empowering & sustainable approach to a healthy lifestyle. By shifting the focus from diets & weight loss to celebrating your body for what it is, you can achieve better health and wellbeing.
With SIHA, you're encouraged to connect with your body & mind in a positive way. You're validated for who you are, have a healthy relationship with food & your body & can achieve overall health without engaging in harmful diet or workout routines.
Remember, above all, that health is much more than a dress size or a number on the scale, my babes!
P.S. I am beyond excited to announce that the beta waitlist for my new program, 'A Woman's Worth', is now officially open! 😮 This is an exclusive opportunity to become part of a transformative journey aimed at empowering women 💪 This 9-week journey is designed to help you rediscover your worth, set healthy boundaries, and find liberation within a supportive community of women on the same transformational journey!
With limited spots available, I highly suggest you join the waitlist today to be the first in the know! Your journey to embracing your worth begins here.
