{I’ve always wanted to see these flowers in person. I finally did in Connecticut!}

Last week I was up north visiting my family and friends. I had a wonderful time. And while we stayed busy, there were certainly pockets of relaxation (like when we went to Connecticut and spent all day in a park).

But I’m a creature of habit. I thrive on routines (with some flexibility and freedom in between).

While I was away, I had very little structure. My sleeping, eating and exercise patterns zig-zagged.

So it’s not surprising that when I got back to Florida, I didn’t feel relaxed. I was uptight and edgy.

Instead of my usual body image booster, today, I’d like to talk bout dieting. That’s because, today, is International No Diet Day (INDD).

INDD was started by Mary Evans Young, the director of the British anti-diet campaign “Diet Breakers” and author of the best-selling book Diet Breaking: Having It All Without Having To Diet.

Today, it’s celebrated all over the world.

{via etsy by Lisa Russo}

So many of us are scared to gain weight. And so many of us become disgusted with ourselves when we do.

It’s this fear and disgust that drives our desire to diet, engage in punishing exercise and hate our bodies unless the scale says a certain number. They can also color how we see ourselves at the core: as failures.

{via etsy by Lori}

Recently a reader who’s planning her own wedding emailed me with an important question about self-love: how do you practice self-love when so many things around you essentially suggest the opposite?

The problem is that in our culture weddings have become less about love and more about looks, losing weight, matching napkin rings and sky-high expectations.

{via etsy by Katia Zhukova}

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since writing Weightless is that you don’t need to chain yourself to a scale in order to be happy or healthy. You can feel better and boost your health by focusing on habits, not weight loss.

What’s the problem with focusing on weight?

{via etsy by Linda Raymond}

I was inspired to write today’s post by this powerful piece from Kate Fridkis on why she writes about body image.

I write about body image because every day we’re told we’re unworthy unless we weigh a certain number or look a certain way. Every day many of us feel a palpable pressure to focus on our physical appearance at all costs.

Our lives are filled with worries over eating dessert and not working out enough.

{via etsy by Melissa Ganey}

Today, in the U.S., we honor Martin Luther King, Jr., who had an incredible dream and helped make it a reality.

I was inspired to share my dreams by his powerful speech and Therese Borchard’s achingly beautiful piece.

I have a dream that our society will stop judging, shaming and bullying people because of their size, shape and weight.

I have a dream that we’ll focus on cultivating healthy habits instead of remaining chained to the numbers on our scales (or calipers).

{via etsy by Eve Sand}

Yesterday, I shared 5 body image perspectives and practices to ditch in 2013. Here are 5 more destructive beliefs and behaviors to let go of in the new year.

{via etsy by Margaret Woods}

Knowing what you don’t want, need or enjoy is just as important as knowing what you do. In fact, healthy boundaries often start with knowing what we refuse to tolerate.

The same can be said for our resolutions or intentions. A few years ago, I shared 11 body image practices to pitch. Today, I’m sharing five perspectives and practices to release in 2013.

Here’s part two of my interview with Jennifer Nelson, author of Airbrushed Nation: The Lure and Loathing of Women’s Magazines. In her book, Nelson gives readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the business of women’s magazines. She delves into how articles are made — and just how they affect us.

Below, Nelson explains why she still likes women’s magazines and why they continue to promote damaging ideals. She also offers valuable advice for readers on becoming smarter consumers.

Nelson also explores the world of women’s magazines in her blog.