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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Healthy to me means being mindful of my veggie intake, and moving as much as possible. It also means reducing stress and cultivating joy!
Healthy is waking up ready to embrace the day! A nice workout first thing in the morning usually helps with this!
Being healthy to me is having my mind and body be at peace with where it’s at. This si something that came naturally to me when living abroad because I forgave myself easily (living in a culture that didn’t judge me by what I wore/how I ate) but this is something I struggle with here because I always feel rusged. I am working on slowing down my pace here and learning to listen to my body. Thanks for being so honest Gina!
Healthy to me is balance and moderation in all areas of my life. Mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Healthy for me is being kind to yourself. It’s about whole mind/body connection. Every element in place makes for perfect harmony: stretching, meditation, rest, aerobics, muscle building…and the occasional cookie or four. It’s about working hard to be good to yourself – compassionate to your you, because you deserve nothing less.
To me healthy means feeling good and not depriving myself. I’ve done every diet in the planet, thought I had to look perfect and be perfect only to realize I was completely miserable. This last year I’ve started tracking what I eat and how I feel afterward, making sure my portion sizes aren’t crazy huge and that I eat balanced meals of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. I look and feel better than I ever have, I’m not perfect and never will be but thats ok because I’m happy and know I’m healthier than I’ve ever been.
Healthy to me means staying active and taking care of myself. I love to eat healthy but I also treat myself daily to sweets :). I also think healthy is taking time off from workouts when my body is telling me to. That was something I used to really struggle with.
Healthy means feeling healthy enough to do the activities I love to. It also means being in a good place mentally to be the best mom, wife and friend.
Healthy, to me, means I can run around with my toddler. It means I eat the way I want to feel, with lots of fresh veggies and fruit. It means not being hard on myself if I have a treat! Mostly it means waking up in the morning and feeling good about myself!
To me healthy means finding a happy balance physically and mentally. You have to take care of both your mind and body. I think this is a very different thing for each person and everyone has to find the right balance for themselves that helps them to achieve happiness.
Love the sneaky giveaways. you have such great posts and it’s nice to go back and re-read them!
To me, healthy means finding a balance between working out and napping, cookies and kale. I never turn down a tasty dessert, but I try to “move” as much as possible. It doesn’t make me the fittest of the bunch, but it keeps me and my family happy – which is the number one priority!
Healthy is how you feel by the decisions you make to be healthy. I personally eat what makes me feel good, not just because it is a “superfood.” I enjoy juices and smoothies but I dislike spirulina/goji berries. I don’t eat them as apart of my lifestyle because it doesn’t make me feel good. I learned to enjoy pizza also without guilt by moderation and it makes me feel healthy!
Being healthy means creating habits that will keep me happy in the present and the future as well.
living a good life as good can mean so many different things on different days. Whether it be getting through the day without going insane or having an awesome run.
I view healthy as a balanced, everything in moderation life and having fun while doing it!
Healthy means loving my body and treating it right!
Healthy ……. 30 years ago I had my first baby … Looked at my body and said OMG how am I gonna loose that belly!!! I started running. Have never stopped. Eat pretty good. Don’t deprive myself don’t over indulge. Lots of fruits , veggies, fish. . At 50 years old ( few years ago) I siad hello YOGA. Changed my life. At 54 I met les mills classes (0uch). Health is balance. A constantly , changing struggle !! Health feels good!!
Being physically and mentally fit. The two go hand in hand.
Healthy for me means taking care of yourself and to love yourself. It also means staying active but not to worry if I skip a workout.
Healthy for me means eating whole, non-processed foods, working out 3 – 5 times a week and loving my body just the way it is!
Healthy to me means being in a good place mentally and physically and finding the balance in life that works for you. I eat fruit and veggies and make time for my workouts because it makes me feel my personal best. But mentally, after a long day, sometimes a glass of wine and family time trumps the gym. Because I make time for both, I feel like I’m in a good place and to me, I am at my “healthiest.”
Healthy for me means I am happy with how I feel in my own skin. My choices in food, exercise, and what I consume mentally are building me up, not tearing me down!
Healthy to me means being fit and active. I used to think much more about weight and looks but now having a daughter I am so careful to teach her good habits. I love that I can still swing a 48lb kid up on my shoulders and run faster and further than I could 10years ago. That being strong and having energy comes from eating good food and staying active! As a 4yr old she never turns down the offer of a job, bike ride or relay course (we set these up in our yard all the time!) I hope that her interest in physical activity will remain a constant in her life and that her father and I have been good role models.
Healthy is being happy and balanced! Waking up in the morning and getting in a nice sweat sesh makes me feel better the whole day! (But so does having some chocolate or a glass of vino at night). There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to feeling healthy.
Healthy to me is living an active lifestyle and eating healthy while still enjoying eating (even if that means dessert most nights or a glass of wine with dinner…its all about moderation). My body feels healthy and strong when I do these things. I can tell when I haven’t been doing them, because I feel off.
To me healthy is on one hand, eating nutritiously and exercising regularly to keep yourself feeling your best overall, while on the other hand, going out for yummy restaurant meals with friends and family, enjoying summer BBQ food, chatting over cocktails – the things that keep your social/emotional life healthy too!
Balance. Being healthy is all about balancing working out and eating healthy without becoming obsessed and stressed out about it. Red wine dark chocolate and pasta are all part of my healthy life.
Healthy to me means feeling balanced – balancing health with indulgence, work with play, giving with receiving, etc. Sometimes one thing might become more important than the other, and that’s normal, but in the long-term I aim to live my life in a way where everything balances out.
Being healthy to me means having energy to do everyday activities, playing with my kids, etc. It also means being mentally healthy and making good healthful choices. Be happy and smile often!
🙂
Healthy means being present and well mentally and physically. It’s a holistic concept and also encompasses relationships with self and others.
Healthy to me is eating & doing things that make my body feel good.
Being healthy means staying active, eating right, and being a positive example to my daughters.
Healthy to me is feeling good — good in my skin, strong, able and in control.
Healthy to me is being comfortable in your own skin and owning your choices. Always comparing yourself to others is draining and takes away from everything you have worked so hard for! It’s important to be consistent with exercise and eating a clean diet that fuels your body, but everything in moderation is key 🙂
Healthy means feeling good in your own skin and enjoying life in your own body!
Healthy is respecting by body by eating nutritious foods and moving!
Healthy to me means feeling fabulous inside and out when I walk out the door every morning.
To me healthy means finding the right balance. Working out because of how good it makes you feel, not because you need to put in the time. Eating nutritious meals but not depriving yourself if you’re craving a cookie. Listening to your body when it tells you you’re hungry and stopping when you are full has been life changing for me and I think I have finally found a good balance.
“Healthy” is a balance of all the typical healthy things I strive to do on a regular basis (eating well, exercising, drinking enough water, getting enough z’s) but also enjoying life and listening to your body (sometimes you just NEED to indulge with enchiladas and a margarita, chocolate cake, or sleeping in).
‘Healthy’ to me means balance. Move. Lift. Rest. Eat fruits and veggies. Eat dessert. Socialize with people. Spend time alone. Do things that are out of your comfort zone. Do things in your comfort zone.
To me healthy is having the energy and confidence to live the life I want to live.
Healthy means living the best you can each day.
Healthy for me means getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, being active, and eating lots of fruits and veggies while avoiding overly processed foods. Healthy is about feeling good inside and out!
Healthy to me means exercising more days than not, eating mostly unprocessed foods, and not feeling guilty about the occasional cupcake.
Being healthy is knowing that I’m living in a way that is aligned with my values. I’m taking time to listen to my body, knowing when to ramp things up and when to take a pause.
Being healthy to me is finding a balance and not taking life too seriously!
healthy to me is being active and happy 🙂
To me, healthy means honoring your body. Show it the love and respect it deserves by living a healthy lifestyle
Healthy means my life – fitness, nutrition, emotions are working together in harmony.