Real Reasons You Can’t Lose Weight: Dr Tovar Reveals Lies We’ve Been Fed- Too Young To Be Old

In this episode of Too Young To Be Old, hosted by the iconic Queen of Jeans, Diane Gilman, listeners are treated to an engaging discussion with Dr. Suptra Tovar, a health psychotherapist, clinical health psychologist, fitness expert, and registered dietitian. Dr. Tovar’s mission is clear—realigning people’s relationships with their bodies and food, freeing them from the chains of diet culture and body shaming. Together, Diane and Dr. Tovar unpack the toxic elements of diet culture and discuss the psychology behind eating habits, body image, and how society influences both. The Industrialization of Food and Diet Culture Dr. Tovar emphasizes the role of the industrialization of food and how it has fundamentally altered our relationship with what we eat. She introduces the concept of “craveability experts” employed by food companies to make foods more addictive, making it harder for individuals to maintain a healthy relationship with eating. The discussion touches on how food and the pharmaceutical industries profit from this system, contributing to unhealthy lifestyles and dependence on medications that treat symptoms rather than the root causes of poor health. A New Approach to Health and Body Image Dr. Tovar passionately advocates for a shift away from traditional dieting, highlighting how most diets set people up for failure by leading to a harmful cycle of weight loss and regain. She outlines the physiological and psychological factors that come into play with dieting and encourages listeners to reject the diet culture mindset, which prioritizes thinness over health. Instead, she promotes a holistic approach to health, encouraging individuals to focus on well-being rather than conforming to societal expectations of beauty and body size. The Impact of Media on Body Image Diane and Dr. Tovar discuss the immense pressure society places on women, especially as they age, to maintain unrealistic standards of beauty. Social media filters, photoshopping, and advertising perpetuate this toxic culture, leading to widespread body shaming and dysmorphia. Dr. Tovar offers practical tips to help individuals curate their social media feeds, encouraging them to block or unfollow accounts that make them feel bad about themselves. She stresses the importance of creating a digital environment that promotes mental and physical health. The Power of Listening to Your Body One of the key takeaways from Dr. Tovar’s approach is the idea of reconnecting with your body and honoring its natural signals. She explains how hunger is a positive signal that should be acknowledged rather than suppressed. By tuning into our bodies and understanding what they need, individuals can achieve balance without restrictive diets or unhealthy habits. Dr. Tovar provides insights into mindful eating, encouraging listeners to slow down, be present with their food, and listen to their body’s cues for hunger and fullness. Practical Tips for Overcoming Diet Culture Dr. Tovar shares three practical tips for rejecting diet culture and improving overall health: -Curate Your Social Media Feed – Unfollow or block accounts that promote unhealthy beauty standards or make you feel insecure. Instead, follow content that brings joy, whether it’s cute animal videos or inspiring messages. -Limit Exposure to Advertisements – Avoid advertising and fashion magazines that push products and unrealistic body ideals. Use that time to engage in enriching activities like reading, learning a new skill, or spending time on a hobby. -Set Boundaries with Toxic People – Surround yourself with supportive people and set boundaries with those who promote unhealthy behavior or body shaming.

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