What the Heck is ‘Healthy?’
Hi guys! Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to an amazing start.
I started mine off with a sweaty iron-pumping sesh, a trip to the post office (package is on the way, my Pilot lurve), and a glorious breakfast.
It’s been too long….
They were just as amazing as I remember 🙂
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So as I’m sure you guys know, there’s been a lot of brouhaha in the blog world this past week. A lot of *bad* happened, but some very thoughtful and much-needed conversations occurred as well. I especially loved *this post* by my friend Heather regarding blogger responsibilities.
Throughout last week, quite a lot of talk went down classifying bloggers’ actions/training plans/eating styles as “healthy” or “unhealthy”.
It got me thinking: What the heck is healthy, anyway??
Disclaimer: If you are currently struggling with ED or in recovery and think that reading about this topic may result in a trigger effect or is a sensitive issue, please skip the rest of this post. I don’t ever want to offend or influence others, just share my experiences and what has worked for me and what hasn’t. Everyone is different and knows how certain things affect their bodies and minds—it’s up to us to use our best judgment.
“Healthy” is such a subjective term and what is considered healthy and normal for one person, may be not-so-healthy to someone else. In the beginning of my weight loss journey and even into maintenance mode, I thought *healthy* was about perfection. While I never had an official eating disorder, I definitely participated in disordered eating, which I’m sure many women unintentionally do when they’re flooded with so much information and trying to find a balance.
There was a [very short] time in college when I ate a few Quaker granola bars for each of my meals and snacks. It wasn’t for weight loss or anything like that, but they tasted good, were inexpensive and I thought they were *healthy*. Going for an entire day without a fruit or vegetable is anything but. When I was trying to lose weight, I tried a variety of crazy diets (all of which I’ve written about on the blog) and there was a time when my life was very sugar-free, fat-free, low carb and chemical-laden. I tried so hard to be what I thought was *perfect*, almost all of the time, which I now know isn’t a fun or healthy way to live.
I eventually realized that “healthy” is IMperfection. Not being afraid to skip a day at the gym, eat indulgent desserts without regard to calories or fat, and cutting yourself some slack… not just with fitness and eating, but with life. Taking time for a nap, a pedicure, a snuggle sesh, or a glass of vino and great chat with a friend.
On the other hand, I think it’s so important to make fitness and nutrition a priority, without taking it overboard, for long and happy lives.
So what’s the difference between healthy and unhealthy?
Is it the intention behind actions? The comfort in not always being *perfect*?
What does healthy mean to you??
I’m OFF work today, so it’s time to run amuck in Orlando. And by that, I mean do laundry and get groceries before dance tonight 😉
See ya later today!
xoxo,
Gina
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I think being healthy is definitely subjective, just like you said. Health encompasses so much more than a “weight” – as long as I feel happy in my mind, body and soul, I think that is healthy.
Great post Gina! What I love about your blog is that you eat healthy and exercise hard, but you still indulge. I need to indulge now and then (not every day…) to keep my sanity!
Healthy (to me) is balance between nutritious foods, consistent exercise and being good to yourself. Sometimes being good to yourself means taking a rest day, or having a small slice of pie, or having a glass of wine, or taking a bath, reading a book, etc. It means taking the time to care for your body and mind!
I have a whole post about what I think is healthy on “My Philosophy” tab. http://thenewhealthy.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-philosophy.html
But to summarize, I think it’s so important to remember that being healthy is all about balance and moderation. Healthy is not only physical, but mental as well. To be mentally healthy, we should engage in healthy relationships with others, as well as ourselves. Minimizing negative self-talk, setting goals, and allowing days for R&R and indulgence.
Healthy is definitely about nurturing your body with exercise, healthy foods, desserts and foods we love (like cookies and pizza), and giving our bodies rest. It’s a whole package and there has to be balance. Yes I hate 4 slices of pizza yesterday, but I also ate tons of fresh produce and worked out. You have to have both to be healthy.
Just like you, my view on what healthy is has changed drastically in the last year or so.
Being healthy to me is living the most balanced life I can. Working out regularly, eating as healthy as I can (but if my body wants a brownie… then no biggie, I get a brownie! 😉 ), giving myself rest days when I need it, and spending time with the people I love.
I told my fiance last night that for the first time in my life, I truly believe I’m beautiful & I love my body shape. This is a big deal to me because in the past, like you said, I was so focused on the unattainable “perfection” and I thought I was disgusting and other horrible things… thankfully, im coming around and learning to love myself!
That, to me, is a healthy attitude 🙂
that is amazing. i remembered when i had that ah-ha moment myself- it changes things a lot 🙂
I totally agree with Holly..I think its completely about balance between nutrition, exercise and fun/pleasure. Taking care of yourself in all realms is so important!
btw I LOVE your blog and think you have a very balanced approach to things!
Agh I agree with you 100%!! Contantly striving for perfection is an incredibly stressful condition, which is anything but healthy. Healthy is being comfortable with your imperfections, which is so hard for most people!
Awesome post and so true. I think most of us who are interested in healthy living at one time or another struggle to figure out what that is, exactly. Maybe we over exercise or under eat or give up desserts or try every single health trend out there, just to make sure we’re healthy enough. I think health is a work in progress and means listening to your body and doing what works for you, making changes when necessary, and cutting yourself some slack.
My idea of “healthy” has totally changed over the years, too! In college, I tried so many fad diets, often associating getting “skinny” (practically at any cost) with being “healthy.”
Thankfully, through that experience, my idea of “healthy” now includes a healthy mindset and a lifestyle complete with a balance of nutrition, fitness, and FUN!
Healthy is listening to your body when it’s hungry, overworked, in need of some movement etc.
Healthy is happiness and enjoyment around food and friends.
Fab post. There is so much info out there it can be confusing for people. I think I have a much better idea of what being healthy is than when I was a teenager. x
You couldn’t have said it any better girl. Agree 100% with everything you just said. Balance is key and health is a lifelong journey
Very well said! I posted about this last week…..got a little deeper into the whole subject matter of ED’s, and the responsibility of readers…how bloggers are free to post their experiences and what has worked for them…however, what’s right for one may not be right for another (like you said).
Healthy to me is balance. I used to be obsessive, do have a past of disordered eating and spent time as a teen hospitalized for it. Happy to say I am 100% balanced and happy at this point. If I skip a gym sesh, or eat some cheesecake, I don’t get all freaked out. I enjoy life. Overall, I eat a well balanced, healthy diet, exercise regularly, but not for hours and hours at a time like I used to.
It’s been so freeing, and once I “let go” of my obsessive behavior, my body actually looked the best it ever did in my life, and I actually felt like it did, as opposed to nit picking myself apart.
Great post.
Fantastic post! I’ve been struggling a lot with this lately, because I know I am not at a healthy weight for my size, but every time I mention to a girlfriend that I’m trying to lose weight they ask what type of “diet” I’m doing. I then feel defeated because I’m not following a specific diet, but trying to find more of a healthy balance between my mind, body and soul. It’s so much more than just what you eat and how often you are exercising, but it’s how I view food, how I handle stressful moments in work and my relationships and how I try to incorporate some type of movement in my day, whereas I use to be depressed and sit at home sad and unhappy with myself. But, as I describe this to my friends they look at me like I’m a crazy lady and should be restricting my diet which is so frustrating.
I wish women understood that to achieve health isn’t just about restricting your diet, because most of the time that is not going to give you a lifetime of health.
i also wish that more people focused on lifestyles instead of *diets*- diets are temporary. everyone should strive to find a lifestyle that they can comfortably maintain for the long run
I agree with you that healthy is subjective. To me, it means looking AND feeling your best – with more emphasis on the feeling. I also associate healthy closely to balance, because to me being healthy means not ignoring any areas in you life – fitness, nutrition, love, spirituality, friends, family, etc etc.
I love your definition of healthy! You’re absolutely right about not being afraid to take a day off or eat dessert etc? One question though: if you are trying to lose weight and eat balanced meals how do you overcome judgement by others? Typically I eat around 1600 calories a day and track my food in a journal so I am aware of what’s going in my body. People that don’t know me or who aren’t aware of my health problems have made comments to my face that I am “overboard” but my journal is what keeps me aware of my eating/exercise habits. I don’t skip meals, eat to little, or restrict any types of foods I’m just eating in moderation.
Oh and btw I’m trying to lose somewhere around 90 pounds to get into a healthy weight range for my height.
you have to do what’s right for you! if journaling works, do it 🙂 who cares about other people.
Great post! I feel my “healthiest” when I’m not over-thinking things. I eat whole foods when I’m hungry, exercise when my body wants to (just occasionally when it doesn’t) and try to have fun with it all. It feels right when it’s intuitive. This is how people USED to live before all the health crazed mumbo-jumbo took over. I want to get back to that!
great post! i have no idea what went down in the blog world last week but based on what i’m able to ascertain, i think blogging is more of a personal journal of personal opinions. i liked the post you linked to as well, she had some great points. if a blogger is being endorsed then perhaps some sort of “rules” should apply but what rules exactly, idk. i’m a believer in personal responsibility. it seems that we’re legislative hungry, but you can’t legislate personal responsibility … by personal responsibility, i mean the individuals who may rely on some advice or personal opinion of a blogger and incur some sort of detriment. i say let the bloggers be!
Well put gina. About 2 years ago I lost 60lbs. By changing my lifestyle. I am still always evolving and trying to be as healthy and clean as possible for not only myself but my family.
Thanks for your daily inspiration.
When my lifestyle is healthy, I can feel it. I have more energy, I’m less groggy when I wake up in the morning, I don’t constantly crave sugary snack (I used to sit at my desk at 2pm and crave rootbeer floats, chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream sundae’s all at once. I knew if I had them in front of me, I’d feel sickened but I was just craving sugar-talk about crashing!), my moods are stable (regular exercise has virtually removed mood swings from my life), and I have room for plenty of splurges. I trust my body (I know that if I eat peanut butter frosted chocolate cake, I’ll honestly want lots of veggies during my next meal), I feel like I have control over my cravings and eating choices, I fuel my workouts so that while they are challenging, they aren’t miserable.
What that looks like, for me, is plenty of veggies, beans, whole grains, greek yogurt, eggs, nut butter, and fruits; along with lean meat, red wine, and the ocassional sweet treat. I also often eat out on the weekends, because I love it!
Exercise wise, I work out 4 days a week and try to do a mix of swimming, running, and lifting weights.
It works for me and I am healthier and happier than I have ever been!
WONDERFUL post Gina! thank you for sharing 🙂
Great question…what truly is healthy! Because like you, I feel like the world out there sure likes to tell us what it is!
I ultimately had to decide what healthy meant for me, in my own words, on my terms. 🙂
Healthy is making choices throughout my day that allow me to live my life FULLY. Healthy is making choices that make me feel better than I did 5 minutes ago, choices that give me energy and allow me to do everything I want to do. Those choices boil down to eating to feel nourished, exercising to feel happy and spent at the same time, lots of rest when my body asks for it and knowing when to slow down or speed up!
Healthy is knowing your body BEST! Thanks for a great post
I really enjoyed this post! I think of healthy in terms of balance, and to me it’s about more than food and calories and workouts- but my peace of mind, rest, and friendships. I guess I think more of wellness when I think of “healthy.”
🙂
I think to be healthy you first need to have respect for your body.
Unfortunately, many people somehow forget how *amazing* their body is and try to beat it into submission by dieting and/or overexercising to achieve an ideal look. That behavior is simply disrepectful and superficial.
We need to treat our body as if it’s our baby: listen to it, feed it well, give it plenty of fresh air and enjoyable exercise, show it love, and take good care of it when it’s hurt or sick.
You only get one body. Treat it well, respect it, and enjoy it.
I’m all for a balanced diet. Problem is keeping that balance weekly, because I can get off track. I need to learn yes I can eat that slice of cake, but next meal lets eat something more nutritional instead of eating more junk.
Great post! I definitely think that this issue of healthy vs. unhealthy is really important, which is why I put in my 2 cents here last week http://strawberrysweat.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/finding-your-version-of-healthy/
Healthy to me means keeping your health in mind when making your everyday decisions. If you ignore what’s healthy for your body, your mind or your spirit, then you aren’t being healthy. Being healthy just means getting all parts of you (body, mind, and spirit) to their healthy mediums.
I agree with you; health is about balance. For instance, yesterday I did a sweaty, grueling power yoga session and woke up sore, so I decided to take it easy and relax today. No need to kill yourself!
Of course balance is necessary to be healthy! However, I think this MC article has spawned a feeling within bloggers that only a certain degree of “healthy-ness” can be showcased on blogs or else people may get the impression that the blogger has an eating disorder. There is NOTHING wrong with trying to eat right and exercise. Even if a person rarely eats dessert, I wouldn’t say they are UNhealthy. (I eat dessert almost every night. Just using that as an example)
Trying to be perfect will probably lead down the path to an eating disorder, but a certain degree of rigidity is ok! There are certain food I will probably never intentionally eat again (lunch meat with nitrates, splenda, asperatame, etc), but I don’t think that means I’m unhealthy.
Not sure if this makes a lot of sense, but I just feel that the eating disorder card is thrown around too much. I feel it is ok to strive to be healthy. When it gets in the way of work and personal life that is where the problem lies.
Thank you so much for writing about this topic! It’s a conversation I’ve been trying to have with my boyfriend all weekend but he didn’t know hat to say. I think to me, healthy means balance, eating intuitively and aiming for happiness.
Great post! This is a question I’ve been thinking a lot about over the past year. After losing 40lbs, I’ve been struggling with the last 10/15lbs and finding out how to accomplish that has been extremely difficult. In the past ten months I have tried what feels like hundreds of crazy things. I have finally come to terms with just eating real food and eating 1500 calories a day and working out. It’s coming over verrry s.l.o.w.l.y, but all well, I’m fine with that pace. I’m happy and healthy. 🙂
I love this post. It brings up such a great point. I really think that healthy vs unhealthy varies from person to person based on his or her own lifestyle.
I just wanted to say that as soon as I saw the part about the Quaker granola bars. . . I looked behind me in my “Food Bin” and it is full of granola bars. I just put 4 granola bars in my backpack for the day. This post is exactly what I need at this point. As a college student, it is sooo hard to remember that things that seem healthy or habits that seem healthy sometimes are not. This post also reminded me that I need to make plans for my meals, to make sure I’m getting a fruit and vegetable every meal. Thank you Gina!!
Thanks for this! I’ve come to realize recently that sometimes stressing out about eating “bad foods” can be worse than just eating them. I think “healthy” means striving to make the best choices for yourself, not just in food but in life, and having the good attitude to not beat yourself up when you make a bad choice or even a just okay choice. Let yourself enjoy your indulgences or you’ll continue to crave them, because you didn’t get the satisfaction the first time!
I think you summed it up perfectly. That its about putting an emphasis on nutrition and fitness, but not letting it consume us. Its about still being okay with imperfections and knowing that the majority of our actions are what make the difference.
Last night I just posted how I feel a bit in limbo with being healthy because while pregnant I don’t eat AS healthy as my typical style. Then, I realized I still have balance and do eat mostly quality foods and keep up with regular activity to care for myself. So I am healthy.
Great post and topic!!
Healthy is such a hard word to define! But, simply put, I think healthy=happiness.
You make a good point by mentioning intention. I think that is a big part of this debate, because even the “healthiest-looking” blogs out there may not be operating under the healthiest of intentions. We have no way of knowing if the blogger is secretly purging or anything like that. Unfortunately, that was always going to be the problem with this whole niche of “healthy living” blogs–they are subject to the judgement of both the blogger and the reader, and those two judgements are not going to always align. So then who is right? Personally, I don’t think there’s any one right answer to the questions swirling around blogger/reader responsibility, other than something like you say in your disclaimer abover–we all have to use our own best judgement, and always put on your own oxygen mask first!
Great post!
Liked the post. To me, healthy means eating nutrition-densed food most of the time, moving your body everyday (whether formal exercise or just being active), and being sure to take care of yourself spiritually and emotionally.
I think being healthy is eating what your body craves. Not saying that you should go out and get a double decker cheeseburger because your craving it..but if your body needs carbs, eat some. Don’t think of any food as “off limits” either. If you want a cookie, eat the cookie..but eat one. Or better yet, make it homemade with healthier ingredients 🙂
I always liked this definition from WHO, “Health is the state of complete physical, emotional, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It’s like a lot of people have said…it’s about balance. Not being afraid to have a glass of wine, not being overly obsessive with food or exercise, and feeling mentally well (being happy with who you are, what your life is like and how you feel spiritually ). I also went through a period of disordered eating and found that when I ate well, I didn’t feel like crap. At some point, I didn’t see food as “good” or “bad” anymore, but as fuel that made my body tick. If I gave my body yucky fuel, I felt yucky physically and mentally. It’s amazing the clarity you get with age and experience. 🙂 Thanks for this post! It was refreshingly honest.
To me, healthy means saying yes sometimes and saying no sometimes – otherwise known as balance. I think everyone has a different idea of what “healthy” means, which is why it’s so awesome that there are so many “healthy living” bloggers out there! Hooray for diversity!
This post is so true. Being healthy for me always meant being perfect, but you are absolutely right. It was this strive for perfectoin and the actions to “be perfect” that was not healthy by any means.
I cannot wait to try out those pancakes! I have all those ingredients and am making them for breakfast tommorow! Just printed it out! =)
Just to preface this: I have never commented on any blog post – ever. I am a reader of food and fitness blogs, but this post struck a huge cord with me.
This is wonderful post. There is no definition of what “healthy” is for everyone – it is up to you to make that definition for yourself. Healthy is really about imperfection! Healthy is also not about making excuses or justifying behavior. I find this behavior scary. Its like you are only allowed to have a “slip-up” when it can be justified. For instance, “I can get this big plate of nachos because I ran 8 miles this morning.” Get the nachos, but don’t make excuses of why you are (just don’t get them everyday!). Running doesn’t equal being able to have fatty foods just like eating a salad with no dressing doesn’t equal sitting your butt of the couch all day.
I enjoy reading “healthy living blogs” but definitely would not follow much of any of the advice that is given – wouldn’t work for me. I have a MS in Dietetics and have been an avid runner for 20 years (since I was eight!) but I couldn’t dream of lifting weights or doing Yoga like Gina (I wish I could!) – but it doesn’t make me any less healthy, just different. People just need to learn how to live their own life and figure out what works for them. I always tell patients – figure out what you love (food and exercise wise) first, then figure out how to implement that behavior into your life to make it work for you.
hey molly,
thanks so much for saying hi 🙂 i couldn’t agree more.
In your disclaimer when you mentioned ED I thought you were talking about Erectile Dysfunction 🙂 I thought, “What the heck does that have anything to do w/ this post?” Sorry…just made me giggle!
LOL!!!
Ditto!! This post really says it best about Health! to each his own but moderation is key. Life’s to short to not have dessert or vino ever so often.
Cheers Gina!
LC
Girlfriend…SUCH a great post!!! Thank you for posting it, in a very balanced way. Very middle of the road but also putting the responsibility on the person/reader to find what works for her, to be held accountable for her own actions. Yes we are all influenced by the media, the world around us, blogs, etc but everyone has to say hey, this is right, wrong, will or wont work for me, this is what i want to do, dont want to do, and then DO IT. Sometimes that means taking a nap and eating a piece of cake and sometimes that means busting your a$$ in the gym. Whatever it is, going on your own path and doing it…so true!
Have a lovely day of errand running and chaos 🙂 I’m about to do that day too..oh wait, that’s most days! hhaha!
🙂
hi gina – i clicked through to the recipe for your pancakes b/c they look so crazy fluffy – wondering what you do w/ the yolk? do you just throw it away?
thanks! kim!
yep.. or put in it my hair, haha
really? that’s for hair that tends to get dry right?
i imagine for oily hair that wouldn’t be great.
hey – aren’t yolks good for dogs??
would your fur babies eat an egg yolk???????
eggs make the puppers sick :/ some dogs can eat them but not mine
and yes the fat and protein is great for hair!
THIS IS SO TRUE!! Today I was at the hair salon and I took a handful of candy corn from their little food spread. It reminded me of the days when I used to avoid the salon treats at all costs because I only allowed myself to eat my perfectly portioned snacks. Happiness is such a huge part of health in general, and the more we deprive ourselves, the more we stick to a strict diet, the less healthy we become. I’ve seen so many judgmental posts on the blogworld lately, which try to outline in black and white what behaviors are “normal” or “unhealthy.” But at the end of the day, only we know how we feel both physically AND mentally, and I think if we’re truly happy in both of those respects, THAT’S real health.
Great post- and I’m loving everyone else’s responses!
The “what is healthy” question is something I have thought a lot about. Does being concerned about getting in vegetables at my meals make me healthy or obsessive? Does thinking about the nutritional components of my meal make me educated or crazy?
I think healthy is finding the perfect balance — thinking about what goes into your body and trying to make it nutritious, but also living a normal lifestyle and letting some things slide. Making exercise a priority but not letting it take over. It’s a fine line…and I’m still working on it!
It’s so hard to define what’s healthy, as I think you implied, and it’s definitely something I struggle with as I navigate this world of weight-loss maintenance. It’s so easy to let fear – of gaining weight, for me, especially – to dictate our days … eating … exercise … thoughts. In the moments that it seems too much, I remind myself not to sell myself short. I deserve to put good things in my body. I deserve to treat my body well with exercise. I deserve to let it rest when it needs. I might not deserve dessert, per se, but I can enjoy it because deprivation would be selling myself short. And I think that it might be that philosophy that defines “healthy” for me.
I am recovering from an eating disorder and have to say this post was incredibly empowering. Everyday I work towards a place of balance and peace with ALL foods. Every single once of nutrition (food) shoudl be enjoyed in moderation– without obsession or worry.
Healthy is imperfection. great line
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