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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Being healthy to me is finding a balance where both my body and soul are happy and I am able to live life to my fullest potential! Everything in moderation…
Being healthy to me is striving to have a good balance of feeling good physically, mentally and spiritually. If I am not working on all 3 to some degree, I loose traction and inevitably something goes amiss. However, being able to relax through all that is so incredibly important.
To me, being healthy is listening to my body. I always strive to be active each day, but it’s more important to know when your body needs a break (whether that’s a rest day or a bite of cake!)
Healthy to me means making the smart choices that still feel right to me. Denying myself the things I want (within reason) will only lead to binges later on. Making sure I eat a balanced meal and keep moving keeps me happy. And happy = healthy.
Healthy means nourishing your body with real foods and maintaining a happy, active lifestyle.
Being healthy is physical and emotional. It’s being able to give yourself grace and accepting your imperfections while working towards a better you.
Healthy to me means that I feel at my best, BALANCED in life, and happy – no matter what is going on around me!
Healthy is being balanced and doing everything in moderation. You can’t be perfect, and you can’t expect yourself to be!
Healthy to me is being my best self for me and my family. That means consistently going to the gym, eating well (but allowing my self to indulge when necessary), and making a life that happy and joyful.
In my opinion being healthy is all about balance. It is healthy to make fitness a priority and to choose fruits and veggies over cake but it is also healthy to not be thinking about those things 27/7!
Bring healthy to me means focusing on whole foods and a good balance between healthy eating and treating myself…. Also getting in a good sweat daily!
Healthy is moving your body, flexing your mind and learning to handle stress like a champ. It is all parts of being healthy- body, mind and spirit
Being healthy to me means feeling good in your skin and body. Finding a balance of a healthy diet and activity level that works for you without stressing you out 🙂 Adaptability is key!
Healthy to me means enjoying everything life has to offer in moderation. It means exercising consistently but not overdoing it, eating healthy 80% of the time and indulging when it is worth it, and making time for the important things in life like family, love and sleep!
Loving yourself
Healthy to me is doing what I need to do to feeling good in my own skin, having the energy to do what I need and want to do every day. Lots of veggies and protein, and remembering to not compare myself to others. I’m never going to be a size 2 or 115 pounds because I’m almost 6 feet tall, and that is OK.
We are the only ones who can choose to make OUR health a priority. No one else.
I want to feel good, strong, and eneregtic, and sometimes that means eating a cookie (or 2) or a spoonful of peanut butter!
Being healthy means moving everyday somehow that is enjoyable to you and eating everything in moderation!
Being healthy to me is about balance, consistency, and listening to my body.
Healthy means eating food that makes me feel good, having a strong body to support everyday life and exercise injury free, providing myself a mental outlet and space to unwind my thoughts and getting adequate sleep (a big one for this mom of two!).
Healthy means feeling good in my own skin. Preparing and eating food for my family that fuels us and creates strong and able bodies. Healthy means having balance and being consistent.
“Healthy” means something different to everybody. To me, being healthy is about being and feeling the best that I can. It is about finding a balance between what feeds my body (nutritious food and exercise) and what feeds my soul (CHOCOLATE) 🙂
Healthy means loving yourself mentally and physically, challenging yourself, and the acceptance of knowing things aren’t always perfect 🙂
Healthy to me is feeling strong through my body AND my mind.
To me healthy is living a balanced life. Exercising, eat whole foods, and feeling good about myself but also allowing for treats and rest with out having to feel guilty!
healthy means feeling good on the inside and outside! by doing whatever feels right for your body =)
While I’ve had many different definitions of healthy over the years, to me healthy means striving for balance in all area of life. I may not always succeed, but it’s a goal and a work in progess. And being okay with that is all part of it!
healthy means being happy with yourself and your body 🙂
Healthy is definitely a work in progress for me. It’s about balance, not restriction (a concept I am really working on). To a certain extent, it involves self-love. I have been at both ends of the spectrum (though both ends were a result of a lack of self-love)-not caring about the junk I put in my body or being active, and also being obsessive, restrictive, and over trained. Balance has to happen, and it looks different for every person. One thing that I know I have mastered for my health is sleep! 😉
To me, healthy is living intuitively, nourishing my body with care, and staying active in a manner that energizes and doesn’t deplete me 🙂
Healthy means excepting yourself, flaws and all. Not settling for what society thinks you should look like. loving yourself for how God made you (he doesn’t make mistakes). 🙂
Healthy to me is feeling fit & happy. Exercising and trying to eat clean as much as possible.
Healthy is a whole body approach…mind, body, and spirit. Healthy looks different for everyone. For me healthy means treating my whole self with love and respect so that I can become my best self!
Thanks for the summer shape-up plan! Healthy to me is staying physically fit, eating well, and listening to my body along the way. Being healthy means thinking positively, living fully, making time for myself and family, and living well. 🙂
As a momma of 4 and my oldest (and only daughter) being 15, I want to be a healthy example for my children. Of course I want to be fit so I can keep up with their activities (and also to look good for the hubs) but as someone who had an eating disorder in college I don’t want her to struggle with the same issues I did and often still do. I knew I was doing something right when she was trying on the hundredth pair of skinny jeans and I heard her say from the dressing room, “What is wrong with these people who make these??? Why don’t they make jeans with room in the calves for runners like me??!” She didn’t wish her body to be any different!! Hooray!
Healthy means listening to your body. Drinking lots of water and eating real foods!
Healthy means keeping up with my kids and feeling like I am in my 20’s still!! It’s always a work in progress!!
For me, healthy means finding a balance…to figure out what’s right for my life style while keeping things grounded & real! Making sure that the choices I make serve a purpose & help me achieve my goals. Being kind and forgiving, flexible and creative! Finding joy in everyday things every day!!!!
Unhealthy means making choices that go against my core beliefs & values!!!
Healthy means feeling good and having the physical/mental ability to do all of the things I want to do.
Healthy is being good to yourself – mind body and soul! Eating well, moving, and spending less time stressed and more time with the ones you love. <3
Being healthy to me is treating my body as my temple because it’s the only one I have. Eating clean, but not depriving myself of occasional treats and always remembering that exercise is not only good for me, but it’s a good example to my son and will be for my my future babies too 🙂
Healthy for me is taking care of your body and mind. Eating good, clean foods and getting in your greens. Keeping active through exercise and calm through yoga and breathing. Mainly just being mindful of how you treat your body and trying to make the best decisions.
Healthy = balance in physical, mental, spiritual, relationships. So hard to be balanced!!
Healthy to me means living an active lifestyle and nourishing your body with the right foods along the way. I always tell my four year old daughter to be active and eat up her meals so that she can be “healthy and strong” to promote that eating is good for you and it fuels your body provided you put the right stuff in there !
healthy means taking care of whatever need I have at that time. If i’m super stressed, it might mean taking a break and watching a movie instead of beating myself up about not going running. Or might might mean eating a fruit and vegetable at every meal!
Healthy means taking care of me first, I can can be the best I can be in order to take care of my baby and teach him how to be healthy. Teach by example!
Healthy to me means feeling positive & have the energy and fitness to be live my life to the fullest with my 2 year old and family. An ideally healthy me would be an energized upbeat person who enjoys her occasional treats along with wholesome fresh food which nourishes me and makes me happy too, an in range BMI, can run a mile without getting out of breath and have decent core/muscle strength for overall fitness (to look good in a dress too 😉 )
To me Healthy is about finding balance in your life.
It is about eating well most of the time but also enjoying occasional treats.
It is about exercising regularly be it walking or lifting and also taking time out for fun, friends and family.
It is about letting your body rest and relax when it needs to.
Being mindful of yourself.
Balance, something most people struggle with daily but is worth it 🙂
Healthy, to me, means feeding my body with real, whole foods…. being active on a daily basis, and my body rewarding me with being able to keep up with my daughter.
I think being healthy is balance. Balance in everything, not just with nutrition. Having balance in regards to fun, stress, work, exercise, nutrition makes you fell better and enjoy life more!!!!!
Being healthy isn’t just about fitness. For me- a healthy lifestyle includes mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. I need to lead a healthy lifestyle for myself I’m each of those areas in order to maintain other “healthy” relationships… Especially with my husband and my daughter. She drives me to be the healthiest version of me.