International No Diet Day 2024: Date, significance and history; here's all you need to know

International No Diet Day is an annual celebration that takes place on May 6. The day aims to promote body inclusivity, encouraging acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size and shape. It's a day dedicated to celebrating your true self and rejecting the beauty stereotypes set by society that often lead to harmful dieting.

History:

International No Diet Day was started by British feminist Mary Evans Young, to educate people about the importance of body positivity. The inaugural No Diet Day was celebrated on May 5, 1992. A dozen women celebrated a little event with a picnic in London's Hyde Park. They ranged in age from 21 to 76 and all sported stickers that read "Ditch That Diet". Evans also started her organisation called Diet Breakers, which aimed to shatter the idea of dieting in order to attain a certain size.

Significance:

The movement stemmed from Evans' personal experiences, who struggled with body acceptance and anorexia. The day intends to discard the notion of setting unnatural body standards and appreciating our bodies as they are. It also serves as a gentle reminder to look at ourselves, appreciate who we are, listen to our bodies and minds, and love ourselves a bit more. It also aims to put an end to weight discrimination, fat shaming, and size phobia, rejecting unrealistic standards and celebrating individuality.

To commemorate the important moment, many people share quotes and organise events to embrace body diversity and self-acceptance far and wide.

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