Have you ever thought that if you are skinny, then you must be healthy? Unfortunately there is a problem with this statement—it’s not true!! Let me propose to you a new way of thinking… Being healthy has nothing to do with your pants size or weight, but more to do with your overall being.
One of the first things I studied while training for the health field were the definitions of health and wellness. I’ll share them with you from good ol’ Webster’s Dictionary.
Health: the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit
Wellness: the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal
Do you see any of those definitions mention a dress size? How about a number on a scale? Let me challenge you to think through what YOUR meaning of health and wellness is.
Do you have a skewed view?
Has an event or person in the past given you the wrong impression of it?
You might find that if you are frustrated in your weight loss attempts that your focus is in the wrong area.
You will never hear me focus on losing weight nor dropping sizes (unless of course I’m trying to motivate my class while in the middle of the 2nd set of tricep push-ups!) but instead on things that will make you a person as a whole.
Things such as:
-
- – lower blood pressure
- – improved self-esteem
- – more energy
- – improved sleep
- – less pain
- – lower cholesterol
Instead of thinking “What do I need to take away from my diet or lifestyle?, ask yourself “What can I add to ENHANCE my quality of life?” I’d much rather focus on doing something positive for my body rather than highlighting everything I’m NOT doing. (We will touch on this more in future posts)
Let me give you a real life example from yours truly.
Just today I was at the gym and weighed myself. (I don’t own a scale at home so I don’t keep a regular tab on my weight) I had to laugh because my weight was the LOWEST it’s been in probably 2 years! I thought for sure it had increased because my workout routines haven’t been as consistent over the past 6 weeks, not to mention we just came off the holidays and I didn’t withhold much on all the yummy food. Just 2 weeks ago, I noticed my pants fitting tighter across my thighs and rear end so I know I wasn’t getting “skinnier”.
In general, I don’t feel like my habits have been very healthy. The lack of consistency in workouts, the lack of discipline in my eating, and the lack of a solid night sleep has put me at a place that I’m not too happy with! However—none of this was reflected on the scale! I chuckled as I walked away thinking, “If ONLY a scale was an accurate representation of our true well-being…”
Ladies. There is a time and a place for the number on the scale, but don’t let it define you! There are many other areas that will show how healthy we truly are. Not sure how? Hang on. I’ll take you on a ride!
One of my favorite quotes from Lisa Bevere: “We have not allowed the image of Christ to be imprinted upon us as deeply as the image of the world. The image of the ideal woman taunts us, seduces our society, and is always just beyond our reach. A deception, a lie, forged by the spirit of this world, women have harshly and unfavorably been compared with this nameless woman, this graven image. Too many women measure themselves by numbers on the scale instead of by the treasure of their heart.” Sooooooooo good!!!!
OOOH Meg–That rocks! I might have to re-post that in the next few days!!! Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful post. I have tried to follow this philosophy for the past few years. Really hard though, the scale likes to taunt me. Thank you for posting this. It’s an awesome reminder.
Hi Sarah! I think it haunts MANY women! You aren’t alone!
Clare
My pants have been getting tighter lately even though my weight has stayed the same. It’s really inspired me to eat cleaner and move more. Thanks for the reminder that it’s not what the scale says but about how we feel and what our body is saying to us.
Congrats on the great new site!
Hi Becky! Thanks!
Clare
Thanks SO MUCH for this !!I have been working hard since the New Year trying to lose weight. I am following Weight Watchers and have been working out almost every day. I am feeling better, but have not lost one pound !!! I am 48 and started to think that maybe my metabolism just wasn’t going to cooperate. Thanks SO much for this post. I will persevere and not let that scale get to me !! 🙂
Hi Janeen! Thanks for your comment. Good job on the perseverance. We have much more to measure than what’s on the scale!
Clare
I’m so happy to find this website! Being 60 years old and overweight, I have embarked on a diet and fitness plan with my also overweight 63 year old husband. The pounds are very, very slowly coming off, but both of us are losing inches around our waist. Old overreating habits and wrong food choices are changing as we are exercising and asking for God’s help with our past lack of self contro in that area. Thank you for all your encouragement.
Hi Faylene! I’m sure it’s hard to change old overeating habits and to change your exercise regime but kudos to you for getting in there and doing it!
I love that you’ve asked for God’s help—it’s a great way of identifying a root issue–lack of self control. I’m sure I’ll touch on that more in future posts!
Great job and keep checking in
Clare
I love this post. This is exactly what I am walking through now… realizing that being healthy does not mean being a certain number on the scale! Thanks for posting 🙂
Hi Melodie! Kudos to you…you are so far ahead of the game for realizing this! Clare
Wow!! Thanks for this. I am slowly adjusting my attitude toward those numbers on my scale, as well as the ones on my tape measure and clothing sizes. 🙂
Hi Rosilind! It’s a fine balance–to adjust any preconceived, unattainable, ideas of what we should be, yet still not allowing ourselves to be undisciplined in our actions to get there! Thanks for stopping by! Clare
When i complain about being out of shape and that I need to make time for exercise I have so many people tell me that I have nothing to worry about becuase I’m skinny and look good, but I can’t stress enough to them that being skinny has nothing to do with it! And people still don’t believe me!!! I want to be able to run a mile and walk up a flight of stairs and not have heart disease and diabetes, yet I still struggle with eating right and keeping consistent with a exercise and sleep.