What Does It Mean To Be Healthy?

Have you ever thought about what it means to actually be ‘healthy’?

In college, I thought being healthy was eating salads for dinner and living at the gym. I thought it was juice cleanses, weight watchers, and strict dieting. In college, I had no desire to be ‘healthy’ because ‘what I thought’ I needed to do wasn’t me. I realize now how wrong I was.

What did I view as healthy when I was a new Mom?

I think I still had those mentalities of being healthy needing to strictly restrict things or live at the gym. It is funny the things we make up in our heads right?! Again, I had no desire to be a thin, fit, or active Mom. I wanted to serve healthy meals for my family and survive the day. I had no clue what healthy eating could look like at that point in my life. Oh yeah, and I wanted my kids to go to bed on time so I could sit in peace and quiet. #RealTalk

According to Dictionary.com, healthy means ‘possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality’.

It says nothing about restricting food, weighing a certain amount, or looking like your neighbor. Thank goodness right?!

What do I view as healthy now?

Fast forward several years and having a lot of patience, learning, and practice I now have a new view on what being healthy is for me. Being healthy is having a green smoothie one morning and then having your favorite pancakes the next day. It is going to the gym because moving your body feels good and then wanting to only stretch the next day.

I realize now that being healthy is learning how to listen to your body. Resting when needed, eating a variety of real foods, taking a break from things when needed, drinking water every day, drinking a latte on some days, and having those lazy days when I want.

What I have learned over time is that being healthy means finding a balance that works for you.

How will you define health for YOURSELF?

Everywhere you look there is someone trying to sell you what their version of healthy is. You have the option of magic pills, powders, body wraps, fancy gym classes, and detoxes telling you what you could look like if you did what they did. Talk about pressure! Remember that their definition of health might not look like what you are wanting. Always look ahead and see if this is something that will help you reach LONG-TERM goals.
On that topic, don’t let others influence your definition and what matters to you. Be patient with yourself as you establish what YOUR healthy looks like.
Remember that it takes time. You are worth the time by the way.