What I’m so honored by in the Ambitious Kitchen community is that many of you seem to be so positive, encouraging, kind and brave.
Yes, brave.
The other day I went back through old Wellness Wednesday posts and read the comments. I love doing this at least once a month because it allows me to see how far I’ve come on my health journey coupled with the love you all bring to AK. The incredible outpouring of support, community and love for one another is truly astonishing. Reading through the comments, I could see that you weren’t afraid to share your experiences, fears, or step outside of your comfort zone and speak to me about something you’re struggling with.
You’re one in a million and I’m so unbelievably lucky to be able to share meaningful conversations with people like you.
Today I want to talk about the word healthy. Or the definition of being healthy. In 2016, what does the definition of healthy even mean?
I used to believe that health was one way and one way only. I was ignorantly blinded by my own fixation of orthorexia, anorexia and binging. I thought eating clean was the only way. I labeled foods as bad and good. I ate the same things every single day for years. I measured everything. I controlled because most of my life felt so out of control. I exercised every single day for at least an hour. I weighed myself too much.
For years, I thought that all of this was healthy because I was thin, ate nutritious food and exercised. How I was incredibly wrong.
Looking back, I can see how destructive I was to both myself and my relationships all because I simply wanted to be “healthy”. I didn’t allow myself some experiences because it interfered with how I thought I wanted to live.
Not only did I have these issues, but I also judged others for their choices when it came to food and exercise. Never out loud, but sometimes in my mind. It was wrong.
These days are much different. My idea of what defines being healthy has changed and I’m finally in this place of balance, which I never thought would be possible. I’ve also grown up quite a bit, practiced compassion, learned how to be kinder in thought, and loved myself harder. The last part is especially important because learning to love and accept myself brought me to love and accept others. I could relate and sympathize.
I’m not sure if you’ll agree, but I think that most of our definitions of being healthy have changed especially over the years.
Society and the media are constantly providing us with endless information on how to eat, studies on what to avoid, and how to live the best lives possible. Our fixation on being the healthiest, happiest humans all the time is overwhelming and can even be detrimental to our overall well-being. Sometimes we forget that health has more than one definition.
These are just a few examples of “being healthy”:
A tri-athlete can be healthy.
Someone who exercises 3x a week is considered to be healthy.
Eating dessert can be included in a balanced diet.
Green smoothies are a nutritious, healthy snack or breakfast.
Practicing yoga is a stress relieving form of health.
There are too many black and white ideas of what being healthy means and so I challenge you to think outside of what’s normal to you. To accept others perspective of what health means to them and the joy it can bring to their lives. Whether it be green smoothies or acai bowls, running followed by pizza on the weekends, early morning yoga or taking time for themselves; everyone is unique and so is the definition of health.
I want to hear your thoughts below!
What does being healthy mean to you?
Also, if you have ANY requests for Wellness Wednesday topics, please leave them below or feel free to email me at ambitiouskitchen {at} gmail {dot} com.
Thanks for being here! I appreciate you. xo
One aspect of “health” that isn’t discussed enough is mental health. As a parent of a child struggling to overcome mental challenges, I am all too aware that physical health isn’t the only definition.
I agree! Thank you for leaving a comment, Lori!
Being healthy to me is doing what makes me feel good. From food choices to a variety of exercises to taking a rest day. Listening to my body and what it needs. When I take a rest day from the gym I often take that day to work on free writing, working on my mental health. I have found that I really need to write a few times a week, whether that be personal journaling or blogging. I am constantly working towards my own healthy balanced lifestyle.
I’ve struggled with anorexia and over exercising for over 30 years so being healthy was very distorted term for me. I too thought health meant eating “good” foods and exercising. How wrong I was. You are right that it is all about balance. I find healthy also involves my mental well being and that means being able to spend time doing things I love with the people I love. It also means vegging on the couch on a Saturday or grabbing an ice cream cone on a warm day and not feeling guilty about it. Balance is key and I’m still working on it being able to maintain it.
Jen..I can so relate to your last sentence of “balance is KEY” but I too am still working on being able to maintain it!
Yay Wellness Wednesdays!! I miss them! I struggled with orthorexia and restriction for years but I’m happy to say that I’m now recovered 🙂 I was the exact same way. I thought “being healthy” was ONLY eating clean and not indulging in anything outside of my “safety” foods. Did that make me mentally healthy? Absolutely not! To me. being “healthy” means being mentally AND physically sound. I eat what my body wants and I don’t worry about indulging every now and then. Sure, some days might be harder than others with food, but hey, I’m still enjoying life and being happy. 🙂 I’m FREE from the clutches of my disorder. Living life without restriction and worry is what I call healthy! 🙂 Btw, Monique you’re one of my greatest inspirations. xoxo
I agree. Mental health is a huge part of being healthy. I wish that more people addressed it more, because it’s critical to overcoming eating disorders. Thanks for leaving a comment, it means so much to me! xo!
Oh I pray for the day that I can get to the point that you are at Monique! Going through menopause took on a whole new meaning of watching my body change and now I feel like I have to exercise every day and if I treat myself to fries or ice cream I have to put in MORE exercise. I want to get to the point of NOT having to read every label or spending so much time trying to decide what to eat that is “healthy” and instead enjoy my life at age 59 and treat my sweet tooth without feeling guilty. I LOVE seeing your shopping cart and what you have in it. I will continue to read your posts and pray that I will still get to that point of “healthy” in my head and just enjoy every day to the fullest. Thank you for your inspiration.
Healthy is feeling good about yourself. Waking up in the morning with a refreshed sense of purpose and leaving yesterdays self doubt in the past. They were yesterdays disappointments or victories. Enjoying the moment and that includes good nutrition. Our food choices dictate how we feel at any given time but those choices should not limit us or keep us in “the box”. Think outside of the box and enjoy life to the fullest extent of your capabilities. Enjoy fresh food as often as possible and drop the artery clogging processed junk. Not everyone understands how the money market works and its effect on the food industry. If it smells and taste good it must be good for us. These are misnomers in the world of good nutrition. Feed your body and soul with wonderful life sustaining fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and hydrate with good clean water. Exercise comes in many forms for all levels at all ages. Sitting on the couch and raising your legs a few times every so often can benefit greatly if your health is poor. Baby steps all the way add up to monumental changes in health.
Monique, your post gives me so much hope, that I can one day live in balance. I am a recovering eating addict. I have been struggling with this issue since I was in high school to cover pain and hurt that I experienced growing up. For me, “healthy” means learning about what triggers my excessive eating and finding better ways to cope with different emotions, finding yummy, lower cal ways to make my favorite recipes, and being a good example for my kids and teaching them about balance in their daily lives. To me, being healthy isn’t just about the physical aspects of living better, it’s also about living better mentally, and changing the way I think about things. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and recipes. You truly are an inspiration!
Thank you Krista! I hope that you find the balance you are seeking. Positive, healthy vibes to you!
What a great, thought-provoking article, Monique! As a recovered bulimic and former fitness competitor, I too struggled with being stuck in the gym for hours every day of the week. I thought being “healthy” was saying “no” to everything that wasn’t a plain, lean protein along with a steamed green veggie. I too judged friends and family who didn’t conform to my “healthy lifestyle” and as a result, a great number of my relationships suffered. I stopped traveling and missed out on tons of experiences in fear of not being able to bring my clean eats with me. Nowadays I sport a slightly fuller physique but I just returned from a trip to Hawaii and no longer restrict myself and and miss out on life experiences. Thank you for reminding us that healthy is multi-faceted and self-love is the best love!! Keep it up.
Much love to you, Jenn! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I love you thoughts on this topic! Health truly is unique to the individual. I honestly think that health means living your live in a way that makes you feel wholesome and allows you to thrive. Health is broad and encompasses so much more than just the food we eat. It also includes how we move our bodies, what we say to and about our bodies, how well we sleep, and the relationships in our lives. It is so easy to get caught up on the food aspect, but I am really working on seeing health as the whole picture.
I really loved what you said about allowing it to make you feel wholesome and thrive. So true!
I’m really glad you post about these topics 🙂 like many other women, including Marina above, for a couple years I had mild orthorexia, mainly over-exercising (cardio) and restrictive eating. I got anxious going out to eat and declined several invitations on a Saturday night in order to avoid drinking, which I considered ‘wasted’/liquid calories. I’ve come so far and am in a much better, balanced frame of mind, but from your post, I realized I do still eat the same things every single day for snacks and lunch, and measure everything. I also usually pre-check the menu if eating out, and see if nutritional information is available. Is this still healthy? Shouldn’t I be able to check restaurant nutrition info in order to make a balanced, nutritious meal choice? how do other people handle this?
🙂
I’m glad to hear that you’re doing much better in achieving balance and having an open mind when it comes to food. Personally, I like being at the point where I don’t measure every single thing (except oatmeal). Measuring equates to calorie counting for me, and I find that unnecessary, but also realize that others are the opposite. I think it’s whatever feels good for you. Does it feel okay to measure everything? To eat the same thing every single day? Are you flexible on what you eat? Those are the main questions I would ask. When it comes to nutrition info, I think this is fine. I like to know what’s in my food, but sometimes I know it’s okay to forget about what the calorie count says and just eat intuitively.
I love this. I do think health can be interpreted in many different ways, and different things work for different people. I also think that we’re constantly working on and changing our “definition” of what health means to us as individuals. I would say it’s safe to say we don’t ever need (shouldn’t!) reach the point where we’re done learning. There are new studies everyday and variety in our lifestyles are the wonderful thing about being human- the constant growing and changing. Thank you for the post!
Yes, yes, yes! Being human gives us the ability to all have a unique view on health as we all have different personalities, environments, stressors, etc. Unfortunately, I think it’s easy to get caught up in the latest health trends and become fixated on studies, books, websites… especially as women. We don’t ever have to be done learning, but we do have to remind ourselves that when we feel comfortable in our own skin, that is enough.
Popping in to say that I love what you wrote today Monique! The part that most resonates with me is when you say that loving and accepting yourself allowed you to love and accept others. I get it. I also think that loving and accepting myself helped me accept love from others. If that makes sense? My definition of healthy is balance. Not too much of one thing or too little of another. Moderation is never easy, but it works for me! I clearly have a huuuge sweet tooth, but I try to listen to my body. It will tell me when I need more sleep, more vegetables, more days off, a run, etc. And yes, my definition has changed over the years! Anyway, just love this post. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sally! Moderation is definitely one of the toughest things to accomplish, especially when you bake for a living. Listening to your body and being mindful has done wonders for me and I’m glad you’re practicing a healthy balance in your life. xoxo!
I love this, Monique. You and your story are so relatable! We should totally meet up for a Chicago food adventure sometime 🙂 “Being healthy” is different for everyone and it’s hard for (I think) most of us. My healthy means eating lots of fruits, veggies, protein, and healthy fats (allllll the nut butter and avocado), but it also means plenty of dessert and burgers and pizza. It means I work out in some capacity pretty much every day, and that I sleep when I’m tired and rest when my brain/body asks for it. It means that I call my mom to vent when I’m stressed instead of diving into my snack stash (still working on that one). It means I surround myself with wonderful people who I can be open with. It means that I accept where I am on any given day and that I might be somewhere different tomorrow. I’m a total type-A personality, so I learn every day the importance of being a little more flexible and a little more loving toward myself.
Hi Ellen! Yes to all of this. Veggies, fruits, healthy fats, pizza, burgers, you name it. Finding your own personal balance is the healthiest version of yourself. xo!
It is so important to love yourself and others — and respect your body for what it can and what it can not do.
I can relate to you on so many levels. During my first phase of being healthy I was so judgmental of others’ food choices if their meals weren’t supposedly “clean” in my book. I would cut out fruit, avocados, coconut, egg yolks, grains, these foods that are healthy but got horrible stigmas in the media. I would spend three hours exercising–what a waste of time! And of course, I was irritable and fatigued all the time! I find that healthy means to be in tune with your body, your mind, your environment and your soul. This means that YOU choose what you want to do with your body knowing that you’ll feel satisfied, energetic and happy afterwards but at the same time, knowing that what you do will benefit you in the future!
So true! Thanks for leaving a comment 🙂 Always!
Such a good post! I have recently experienced all of these emotions and break throughs. I use to deny myself certain foods because I thought of them as unhealthy but didn’t realize that many of the “health foods” I was eating had just as much fat as Inn N Out fries! Because of my “health food dogma” I would never eat Inn N Out or other “unhealthy foods” and judge others for doing so. I am trying to find that balance as well. I am so much happier now and don’t lose out on experiences anymore! I have had several Inn N Out trips with my fiancé and don’t feel “fat” or regret going, such a huge accomplishment for me.
Hi Julie! I used to do the same thing, that’s why I never count calories. It’s important to be mindful of what you’re eating, but I eat for nourishment. Also, had my first In N Out burger back and February… SO GOOD!
LOVE THIS post! It seems that sometimes when we are striving to modify our lifestyles in order to become healthier we begin to restrict, restrict, restrict which ultimately will end with unhappiness and create stress! Living balanced is key for long-term health.
This has been one of my favorite posts of yours! And so topical too! Have you seen how the FDA is changing their views on “healthy” right now as well? I think that healthy is a poor label for diets and exercise plans and recipes because it takes away the individuality of the choice as to what is healthy and right for the person and situation. It’s also such a vague term because it has so many applications and meanings. I’m glad that you’ve found your healthy and are encouraging others to do the same!
Love this! So very true! Everyone’s version of healthiness is different and there is some value to it all. What a positive post. Thank you for reflecting what I myself have learned to embrace!
Your positivity is beautiful! Thank you!