I want to be healthy.

I want to improve my health.

I want to lose weight, the healthy way.

I hear these phrases on a weekly basis, and I can’t help but wonder how many people use health then they mean ‘thin’.

Healthy or thin…?

Even ‘thin’ isn’t really in anymore, it’s the muscular look that’s popular, but that’s still what we think of when we think about improving our health.

Muscular, but healthy?

This leads to lots of protein and gym visits, which isn’t bad in itself – when it’s a balanced approach.

Health means different things to different people, the problem comes when we confuse health with having a low body fat percentage.

Yes, excessive fat might cause us to feel down about how we look.

Yes, it can be uncomfortable being overweight, physically and emotionally

Yes, there is a lot of stigma around being overweight

BUT being overweight doesn’t automatically mean that you’re unhealthy.

^^^ it’s true.

Despite what some gurus will tell you, you can be overweight and eat healthy food.

I promise you it is entirely possible to eat a clean diet and be overweight.

Just as it is entirely possible to have abs and be unhealthy.

The pursuit of trying to achieve a muscular toned look might be too stressful on your body.

If you lead a busy and stressful life as it is, trying to do hard workouts 6 days a week will not improve your health – even if it lowers your body fat.

Health the isn’t just the absence of illness

and this is important to remember.

You might look like a fitness model on the outside but

Do you have energy that lasts all day?

Is your skin clear?

Do you sleep well?

Do you have good mental health?

Do you have a positive body image?

Is your digestion good?

Ladies – is your period regular?

Regardless of your weight if you can’t honestly say that all of these things are on point then you need to look at your health.

Why we say healthy when we mean thin.

Its the buzz word of the day. And worryingly it allows us to hide any emerging eating disorders.

Yes, eating clean and going to the gym is the best way to get fit, lose some body fat and improve your strength and wellness.

BUT

used excessively and it’s also the tools used by those looking to control their weight with dangerous diets and long workouts that are doing more harm than good.

The truth about health…

Depending where you are in your journey healthy for you might be weight loss

but it also might mean weight gain

it might mean doing more low intensity restorative exercises for a while

it might mean skipping the gym altogether for a short time

it might mean starting to meditate and get a regular sleep schedule

The truth is, anyone can work out and eat well and get thin. Anyone with enough time, work and dedication can get there.

But not everyone can prioritise their health in the same way.

Be honest with yourself and ask…

What will last longer

My health

OR

My weight loss?

Cos I know, from myself and from training clients, that without health your results will not be long lasting.

Choose health.

Ainzlie xx