In celebrating independence and freedom, perhaps this would be a good time to take a pledge to your own personal freedom. Can you sign this pledge today?



Declaration of Independence from a Weight Obsessed World:


I, the undersigned, do hereby declare that from this day forward, I will
choose to live by the following tenets:


*I will accept my body in its natural shape and size.

*I will celebrate all that my body can do for me each day.

* I will treat my body with respect, giving it enough rest, fueling it with a variety of foods, exercising moderately and listening to what it needs.

* I will choose to resist our society's pressure to judge myself and other people on physical characteristics like body weight, shape, or size. I will respect people based on the qualities of their character and the impact of their accomplishments.

* I will refuse to deny my body of valuable nutrients by dieting or using weight loss products

* I will avoid categorizing foods as either "good" or "bad". I will not associate guilt or shame with eating certain foods. Instead, I will nourish my body with a balance of foods, listening and responding to what it needs.

* I will not use food to mask my emotional needs.

* I will not avoid participating in activities that I enjoy (i.e. swimming, dancing, enjoying a meal) simply because I am self-conscious about the way my body looks. I will recognize that I have the right to enjoy any activities regardless of my body shape or size.

* I will believe that my self-esteem and identity come from within!


Signature _______________________________________


From; The National Eating Disorders Association.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/NoWeigh.pdf