Introduction to Our [BE HEALTHY] Series -- 6 min read

[BE HEALTHY] 

Hello and welcome to our “From the Fight” Blog! We are launching a series called “Be healthy” where we will be going through many things that are considered “healthy” in society today from a holistic point of view. 

Being healthy is relative; there are so many definitions and classifications of “healthy” out there. When I googled “What does it mean to be healthy?” I came across a definition of “healthy” that I think coincides with our values here at FTF Warrior pretty well:

 “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absences of disease or infirmary.” (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no.2, p. 100) 

When I saw this definition, I thought to myself, “YES. this is exactly what we are trying to convey through our health coaching programs at FTF Warrior.”

Let me explain:

Being “Healthy” does not just mean that you are physically fit and are eating nutrient dense food. Being healthy goes so much deeper than that. 

So, what does it mean to be healthy?

I have said it before, and I will say it again: being healthy is not just a good habit-- It is a lifestyle. Lifestyles include so much more than fitness and nutrition. There are multiple areas of life that must be addressed to be considered “healthy” from a holistic point of view. 

NOTE: I do not want to undermine the seriousness that having disease or infirmary implies. Considering that both my husband, Matt, and I have auto-immune diseases, we know the struggle is real when trying to be healthy while having a disease or infirmary. What I say to that is, “it is what it is.” You can’t choose whether you get a disease. You CAN choose what you are going to do despite having a disease (we recommend in a “healthy” way). You, reader, might not have a disease and you might not ever have one. That is great. I will say this to those of you that are faced with difficulties outside of your control: Do not let that define who you are. Step out from the isolation and hopelessness that having a disease can bring and ,my advice, is to start taking steps toward being healthy that is the best way for you.

This is what I mean by being healthy: 

“You cannot control your disease or life circumstances, but you CAN try to manage them the best you can.”

There are three aspects to being healthy that I will cover in this series: 

1.    Physical Health

Physical health is probably the most common thing people think of when they think of being healthy. When thinking about good physical health, it is often categorized by three things: regular physical activity (exercise), good nutrition, and sufficient amounts of rest. While physical health is a very important aspect of being healthy, it is only one aspect of “being healthy”; there are other facets to “being healthy” that I will continue to discuss. 

2.    Mental Health

When talking about “What does it mean to be Healthy?” one cannot neglect Mental Health. 
There is a negative stigma behind mental health. As a psychology major, and someone who has struggled with mental health personally, I can tell you first hand that mental health is huge in “being healthy.”

Overall Mental Health refers to people’s cognitive and emotional well-being. According to WHO, mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community.” While there are many definitions out there of what mental health is, I think it is important to note that its assessment is subjective and is unique in their own narrative. Overall, mental health includes “the ability to enjoy life, the ability to bounce back from adversity, the ability to feel safe and secure, the ability to achieve balance (moderation), the ability to be flexible and adapt, and the ability to make the best of what you have (self-actualization).” (Nordqvist, “What Is Health? What Does Good Health Mean?”) 

3.    Wellness

According to the McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois, wellness is a “state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s potential. This is a life-long process of moving towards enhancing your physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and environmental well-being.” Optimal wellness allows us to achieve our goals and find meaning and purpose in our lives. Overall, wellness is the ability to live life to the fullest and capitalize on our personal potential in many ways. 

As I briefly mentioned earlier, there are somethings in life that we cannot control. You are a product of your past but you are not a prisoner of it. 

You CAN be healthy by making better choices when it comes to being physically active every day for at least 30 minutes (if 30 minutes is too much, start at a more reasonable goal such as 5 or 10 minutes and work your way up).

You CAN be healthy by eating whole foods from as close to nature as possible. Make nutrition a priority. Learn how to choose food that is nutrient dense rather than food that will satisfy a temporary craving (sometimes, you hit the jack pot where you choose to eat nutrient dense food that you crave-- that's the best!) 

You CAN try to get adequate rest. Sleep is such a major factor in to being healthy that and will have its own totally separate post. I just wanted to mention it because it is so crucial to health.

You CAN seek out professional help to get your mental health back on track, if needed. Don’t let the stigma of therapy hold you back. You are only hurting yourself. 

You CAN choose what you tell yourself. Your habitual thoughts are your identity. You must direct your thoughts from negative ones to positive ones. If you change your thoughts, you can change what you believe about yourself. 

You CAN change the controllables. 

You CAN choose to learn relational skills and deepen relationships. You CAN form new healthy relationship, and you can get rid of toxic relationships.

You CAN choose what you think about. Yes, I know this seems impossible but hear me out. We CAN focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and things of good report. We must renew our mind and rewire our brains daily. It’s not an easy task, but we CAN do these things. Change your brain, change your life. 

You CAN make a comeback; Every set-back sets you up for a comeback. 

So my question to you is, are you ready to make a comeback? Are you ready to “Be Healthy?”

Join us for the next several weeks as we go into more detail about what a healthy lifestyle may look like for you. Please comment below some topics you'd be interested me writing more about. Subscribe! 
 

LOOKING FOR A COACH TO HELP GUIDE YOU THROUGH YOUR DIETARY AND LIFE CHANGES?

We offer a variety of services specifically for Diabetics which include but are not limited to: Health and wellness coaching, nutrition coaching, diabetic education, fitness training, mindset training, supportive online community of like-minded diabetics, and so much more! Want more info? Check us out here: 

https://www.ftfwarrior.com/the-fearless-diabetic-project/

KEEP UP THE FIGHT!