One of my favorite moments at the 2012 Binge Eating Disorder Treatment Conference (BEDA) this past March was when registered dietitian Deborah Kauffmann stood on stage with her guitar and sang her song, “No Dieting For Me”.
I hope she records it, as it could serve as an anthem for many generations; past, present, and future. In the meantime, I have her permission to share the lyrics.
So, this is for every one of us who thought that dieting; tuna fish, cottage cheese, and/or celery, were the route to all happiness…
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“No Dieting For Me”
Lyrics and Music by Deborah Kauffmann, RD
When I was just a little girl, my doctor said to me
We’ll have to watch your weight my dear, it seems to high to me
My mother took him at his word, she thought to treat me right
She took away the cookies, and hid them from my sight
No dieting for me, today I’ve been set free
Today’s the day I’ll take a stand
No dieting for me
And so to school each day I went, with turkey, carrots, fruit
The clock struck noon, I watched my friends eat chips and ice cream too
Then I’d go home and all alone I’d search the cupboards long
Til I found hidden pleasures, and ate til they were gone
No dieting for me, today I’ve been set free
Today’s the day I’ll take a stand
No dieting for me
Now later as a woman grown, my doctor said to me
I’m growing quite concerned my dear, your weight’s still high I see
And since you failed on Weight Watchers, South Beac and Dr. Phil
I fear the plan is surgery, it’s clear you have no will
No surgery for me, the risk’s too high you see
For better health and weight loss
Surgery’s no guarantee
Today’s the day I start anew and eat as others do
When hungry I will always choose from all the lovely foods
I did not fail at dieting, the diets they failed me
I may or may not lose the weight, but I’ll gain my life you see
No dieting for me, today I’ve been set free
Today’s the day I’ll take a stand
No dieting for me
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Ellen Shuman is a Life Coach who specializes in empowering people who are working on emotional and binge eating recovery. She is the founder of A Weigh Out & Acoria Eating Disorder Treatment, President of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), and Co-Chair of the Academy for Eating Disorders Special Interest Group on “Health at Every Size”, ellen@aweighout.com
