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 go over this a bit in my most recent post but I think healthy means being happy with who you are! Accepting yourself, whatever size you are, and taking care of your body!
Great post! I really enjoyed your thoughts.
Great point! Being healthy is all about maintaining balance and fueling your body with the nutrients it needs. Let’s face it, sometimes our bodies need a piece of pie and some red wine! It’s the ability to turn around and make a veggie omelet for breakfast that gives you that healthy balance!
I couldn’t agree with you more, Gina! 😀 Being healthy is not about being perfect, which is something I only recently realized thanks to blogs! I think the most important aspect of health is happiness though. You could eat clean almost every day and work out 4 times a week, but if you’re not happy then you’re not going to be healthy.
i totally agree- mental health is just as important as physical health
Great post, Gina. I definitely consider myself to be healthy, though I struggle with the “not feeling guilty for taking a day off from working out” thing. It’s bad, and I know that, but I’m working on it. I love your blog — thanks for the constant inspiration and motivation.
Spoken like a true Fitnessista!!! Amen girl, I love your prospective! 🙂
Hi Gina, I read the article…just happened to come apon it and was shocked and surprised. I thought it was poorly researched and oddly one sided…I am left with the feeling that there is an agenda, but not quite sure what it is…don’t sweat the haters…food blogs and the reach their authors attain far outweighs a magazine circulation. This genre is here to stay! Keep up the good work!
i was hurt to see some of my very good friends, who do amazing work and inspire many, attacked. i think it *could* have been an amazing article and brought up valid discussion points, but the author did a horrendous job.
thank you! <3
Great points! I couldn’t agree more with healthy being IMperfection 😉
Great thoughts, Gina. I’m new to your blog but I already love it!!
thanks kelly! welcome to the little blog 🙂
I think a healthy lifestyle means you are taking care of yourself: fueling your body, mind, and heart the way it needs to nourished. I think it can be easy to become an elitist about being healthy, but real health means you are looking at a picture bigger than yourself – you start to care about others too.
This is the first time I’ve left a comment on your blog, Gina, but I check it everyday, since I first found it over the summer. You do such a great job, and you are such an inspiration! Thanks for all that you do!
thank YOU so much for reading and for taking the time to say hi 🙂
xoxo
really good points Gina. Thanks for sharing too.
Fantastic post Gina! I completely agree that what is healthy is unique to each person. Only the individual can say how they feel and if that is healthy or unhealthy.
Hopefully more and more people will realise the ball is in their power back and make their health their own (and not anyone else’s) priority.
Thanks Gina!
Casey
I think I agree with you, being healthy is about what’s healthy for the individual and what makes a person feel their best. This is something I’ve struggled with through my ongoing weight loss as well. Its sometimes hard to get past the little goals (like weight loss) to focus on the big stuff… ie living a healthy life full of nutritious foods and fitness. This blog was a great reminder! Thanks!
Great post girl! I agree that it is not easy to say what is healthy. I have come to realize through my food and health journey everyone is different. Even as twins, Lori and I are different!!! Food and workouts are different for each person. I guess that means we are all different in our own ways 😉 I guess life would be pretty boring if we were all the same all the time! LOL I think finding a balance with everything is key and taking breaks too!!
I LOVE this post. Just thought I should share how much I appreciate it.
<3
Healthy for me is a well balanced life!
Secret posts are fun! And they remind me how great your advice is!
Healthy is feeling good inside and out 🙂
To me, healthy means a connection. I feel my best when I am mentally in-tune with what my body is telling me. I think there is a need for balance and that is what I strive for. 🙂
Healthy means balance to me! There is no concrete definition, so it varies from person to person.
Love this! Healthy means being able to keep up with my 7 month old son and being an inspiration to him so we can all lead long, healthy happy lives x
Healthy is feeling comfortable every day and making choices to help yourself feel whole. Sometimes you have to focus on physical health, but other times mental health. Last week I took a rest day to clean up my life and take a mental health day — that translated into a lot of deep cleaning/scrubbing. I may have had a chipotle burrito bowl for dinner and not worked out, but I felt MUCH healthier that day.
I always love the sneaky giveaways. Loving the SSU too! Healthy means taking care of myself and feeling good – even if that means laying on the couch for a day!
Healthy means eating right and feeling good to me!
Healthy to me means being strong both physically and mentally. I would love to shed lbs, but if I don’t ensure that my self-confidence is just as strong as my arms then the weight won’t matter. 🙂
To me, healthy is fueling my body right and feeling strong and able.
Healthy to me is feeling energetic, not feeling “creaky,” and just feeling good every day.
Healthy means a good balance of eating things that are good for your body, enjoying those not-so good things, and doing something active that you enjoy doing and that makes you happy! Even if it’s just walking the dog for the day 🙂
Healthy means waking up feeling good physically and mentally and making balanced choices.
Healthy is all about balance for me!
Healthy is more than just body-focused… You have to keep your heart and mind in the balance as well! That’s what I’ve been trying to focus on, becoming more healthy.
Healthy means living a life of balance! There should be plenty of fruits, veggies, lean proteins and good, consistent exercise…but also room for things you just enjoy. Being healthy means being kind to yourself, day in and day out.
healthy to me is feeling good about yourself and your body, and getting out there and moving as much as you can.
Healthy means filling my body with good things, making time for exercise and time to disconnect, and honoring my body’s needs–sleep, a day off, or even a glass of wine or brownie! 🙂
Healthy to me means balance between doing what I want (eating chocolate) and doing what I know my body needs (spin classes). But more importantly finding something that I love and enjoy doing, running.
Healthy, to me, means being mentally and physically strong. Confident in your own skin. Determined to take on the world. It’s being able to identify your bodie’s cues to tell you when you need to rest, when you need to push it, when you are truly hungry, or when you’re just craving something extra…. It’s really knowing yourself. That’s what healthy means to me.
Healthy means feeling strong, capable, relaxed, and ready for anything, whether it be a spur of the moment hike or dinner out with the girls!
Healthy to me is enjoying life in a way that is good for your mind, body and soul. It’s not obsessing over every single thing you eat, or over missing a workout, or over eating too much dessert. It’s being able to really enjoy life, take care of yourself and find a happy balance that works for you.
Sneaky giveaways are awesome because I discover posts I haven’t ever read before since I’m new here! To me, healthy is more than being physically fit. Healthy is an overall state of being, including mental, emotional, and physical wellness.
To me, healthy is finding a balance between what we know we “should” do (exercise regularly, eat more vegetables, etc.) while not depriving ourselves of the things we love. I try to maintain an 80/20 balance, and although some days are harder than others, I do feel better and “healthier” when I’ve fed my body with nutrient-rich foods instead of the stuff that tastes good but has little to no nutritional value.
A balance between what makes us feel good and what tastes good, with moderate amounts of physical activity throughout the day. Also, being non-judgmental about food and exercise choices.
Healthy to me means there are no physical/mental/emotional ailments getting in the way of me living my most fulfilling life.
i love love love reading these vintage posts! healthy = happy to me!
thanks to bella for sponsoring 🙂
To me healthy is having normal numbers like cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. It also is just doing what is right for your own individual body, as everyone is different, and what is healthy for me (physically and emotionally) may not be for you.
At the end of the day, healthy to ME means feeling good- physically, mentally and emotionally. And in order to feel good you have to eat a balanced diet, stay active and remain positive. That’s really what it all comes down to- feelin’ good!
Healthy means taking care of yourself, in all aspects, so that you can be the best version of yourself
Healthy is moving more, eating foods that make me feel great, getting quality sleep, and feeling relatively relaxed and happy!
Healthy means being happy and taking care of your mind, body and soul — However is best for YOU.
Healthy means taking care of yourself – sleep, drinking water, getting that heart rate up, getting your greens but also – and in my opinion, one of the most important – taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally. Laughing is the best way to cover this 🙂
Being healthy means feeling good OK hypoallergenic and mentally- and being able to do whatever I need to do during the day without feeling winded.
Physically. Not OK hypoallergenically. Silly autocorrect!