Why people who eat healthy aren’t necessarily healthy

Ok, I get it, you want to be “healthy”, you want to start to adopt “healthier” habits. You’ll do aaaaaanything just to lose a few kilos so that you’re feeling a little lighter, and if you drop a size in the process that must mean that you’re getting healthier, right?…

 

WRONG!

 

I was with a fellow colleague today, walking towards one of my favourite lunch places when he said to me “ohhhh I’m going to go to the supermarket to get diet soda, I’m doing this whole fast for two days diet thing. I know someone who’s tried it and is losing weight”.

 

I froze, looked at him, and went on a field day trip with his lovely soul. I rattled on and told him how, “fasting on chemical shit storms IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR BODY!” Chemicalised processed junk is probably the worst thing anyone can ever fast on, period! I can’t believe that it’s even a thing that people do??!?!?

 

I was so shocked!

 

I went on and on and on, told him to drink cold pressed juice instead whilst waving to him as he entered the grocery store and I kept walking… Ok that was kind of off topic, but it had to be said…

 

GRRRRR!!! Vent over!!! I promise there was a point to that story…

 

This experience taught me that just because a certain diet can help you to lose weight, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s healthy for you as an individual! In fact, the example I just gave isn’t healthy for anyone… ok!

 

Everyone it different, everyone has different genes, different upbringings, different likes/dislikes and different life circumstances. When wanting to get “healthy”, why is it that so many people go straight to the food eqution? Granted what we eat is important, but there are so many other factors that come into play which have absolutely nothing to do with food and diet!

 

Let me just paint another (non real-life) example, Cheryl gets home from work late at night and is faced by an emotionally abusive partner, she hates the way he makes her feel and as a result is constantly battling the voice inside her head. She’s upset, she’s angry, she’s frustrated, she’s hurt, she’s a mix of emotions. So night after night she binge eats on the couch as a way to soothe her emotions… Do you think that Cheryl would come home and binge if she was greeted with a kiss, a big warm hug, and a partner that genuinely expressed gratitude and love towards her? Which then raises another question…

 

Does Cheryl have an eating disorder or does she have a love deficiency?

 

Diet is an important aspect in all of our lives, but when it comes to health from a holistic perspective there are so many other considerations that can be considered. And because everyone is different, with different circumstances and life stories, the one thing that makes Person A happy and healthy is not necessarily the same thing that makes Person B happy and healthy. Get it now?

 

Some examples of non-food avenues that I commonly like to explore with my clients are things like:

• Career:
  • I find it fascinating that during the standard work-week, people spend most of their waking hours with colleagues than they do with their loved ones. People don’t just marry anyone, but then decide to jump into a career where they spend 8-10 hours per day in an environment that is diametrically opposed to their personal values and beliefs. Just because they need to earn that living to… well… live! This is not healthy, trust me, I’ve been there!
• Physical activity:
  • You can spend a lot of money on great food but if you’re not exercising then you’re not assimilating and digesting food in the same way that you would if you were to engage in regular physical activity. Exercise can help improve the efficiency of the digestive process which in-turn helps to get things moving (you all get what I mean here 😉 ). Having said this, over-exercising can in some cases do more harm than good. The key here is to know your limits and what works for you.
• Spiritual practice:
  • This is something that I would recommend for a frantic and constantly on-the-go type person who is showing signs of stress, burnout and adrenal fatigue. And by spiritual practice I don’t just mean following God, going to church and belonging to a certain religion of choice. A spiritual practice can be different for different people, because yes you guessed it… everyone is individual! Some examples of spiritual practices are things like yoga, going for long walks in nature, meditation, deep breathing, painting, playing an instrument, qigong, etc. Any activity that makes you feel as though you are closer to your “true self” so to speak!

 

So with this, to say that nutrition is the only factor in the health equation is so far outdated, and we really need to start thinking about health on an individual basis! There are so many misconceptions and people are honestly missing the point when it comes to overall health and wellbeing.

 

To have an understanding that it’s not just what you eat, it’s the water you drink, the air you breathe, the love in your life, the fact that you exercise, and a multitude of other factors. Remember that you’re an individual. Just because something works for your friend, and made them feel happy, healthy and on-top of the world, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll produce the same results for YOU!

 

Because you have your own story. Your own situations. Your own life. You are an individual!

 

If a person isn’t physically, spiritually and emotionally happy and healthy, then the food equation will never work. It just won’t!

 

I’ll leave it there for tonight.

 

Remember – Be happy. Be true. Be you.

 

Love and light,

Sammy xoxo

 

P.S. – If you want to chat about how you can get healthier, reach your INDIVIDUAL health goals with a tailored approach then my 1-on-1 program is for you! There is absolutely no requirement to follow the latest and greatest fad diet, I promise! Message me to learn more about how I can help you to smash your health goals, create healthier habits and a live nourished life daily!