My dad
always says that years ago he made the best New Year’s Resolution, one that
he’s never broken… to never make another New Year’s Resolution. He thinks he’s
so clever, but really, how many times do we make resolutions January 1st and
before the month is out we’ve already given up. Especially when that
resolution has to do with losing weight and getting in shape. I know I’m guilty
of it. Multiple times over.
Let me ask you this though: What
do you think of exactly when you think of “getting healthy”? When you
imagine “getting in shape” do you have a specific “shape” in mind? Do you dream
of looking like a certain celebrity or fitting into a certain size?
Take it a step further. Why do
you want to lose weight/get in shape/get healthy? Is there someone you want to
impress? Are you trying to live up to the expectations of a family member or
loved one? Do you feel like you must do this for some reason?
Now, go pick up a magazine, or
go to an entertainment news website. Browse through the images – what do you
see? Do the models in the ads fit your mental image of “healthy”? Do you dream
of looking like one of those celebrities? What is it about them that you most
envy?
If you’re like most of us
longing to be healthy, you see thin, fit, beautiful people. When we dream
of being healthy, we equate that with being skinny. I mean think about
it… Victoria’s Secret models are made out to be the very embodiment of beauty.
They’re all thin. All the athletes and actors that make the front cover of
magazines are ripped… we’re talking zero fat to be seen on their lean
bodies. Even cartoon characters fit into these body images (sorry,
Disney, you know it’s true). These body types are deemed beautiful in our
culture.
So are we seeking health or are
we seeking beauty? In today’s society those words have become
interchangeable. We want to be beautiful and attractive so that we can find
love, escape ridicule, ward of bullies, be popular, and live up to the
expectations of others. We’ve been brainwashed to believe that healthy =
skinny.
Healthy ≠ Skinny.
Really.
It doesn’t. Yes, if you are healthy you are more likely to be skinny, but that
doesn’t mean you have to be a certain dress size.
Skinny ≠ Healthy.
It’s
true. You can be skinny and not be healthy. Ever heard of anorexia? It’s an
extreme example, sure, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
What people are really seeking,
more often than not, is beauty… to look a certain way. That doesn’t make it a
bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve your appearance and
take care of yourself. But why
are you doing it? To fit in? To be accepted? To be loved or to impress others?
Or are you doing it for you, to feel better about yourself?
There
are some great benefits to making changes for you rather than for others.
1.
Taking time for you (not
neglecting yourself):
Of course many of us have
people in our lives that we care for, and often we will put the needs of those
loved ones first. That’s great, but at what cost? Do you neglect your own needs
for their sakes? When I take time for myself I feel better about
myself. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well (see point
#3). Caring for myself can even be a stress relief, and we can all use a
little of that!
2.
Confidence:
It’s more than just a
Demi Lovato song! No really, there is a difference between being
conceited and being confident. With the first you are vain and consumed with
self, often at the expense of others. But with confidence it’s more of a
positive self-assurance. And confidence is attractive. People tend to be
drawn to those who are confident in who they are and look life in the face
rather than staring at the ground and shying away from whatever comes their way.
How do you gain that confidence? Love yourself. The more you love yourself and
care for yourself, the more that confidence grows and shines from within.
3.
Emotional health and
well-being:
The more you care for
yourself and love yourself, the more you’ll find not only confidence radiating
through your being, but happiness as well. There have been studies done on
the power of positive thinking in various aspects of life. Just think about
what that can do to your self-esteem and how that in turn would impact your
very health! Have you ever noticed how someone who is happy seems to glow?
That’s not just a figure of speech! Positivity actually affects all areas of
your health and well-being.
4.
Physical benefits of
getting healthy:
For anyone who has read
my previous posts you already know how this has impacted my life. Ever since
going vegan I've felt so much better physically. I sleep better, I generally
have more energy, I find that I can think more clearly, and all in all I just
feel so much better. This isn't just true for me. It's been proven true over
and over again by vegans around the world and in various studies. Check out
"Forks Over Knives" for more examples and information.
5.
Setting a positive
example for others:
All of these benefits work
together to not only improve yourself, but the people around you will see the
changes in you as well. They may just be happy for you and what you’ve achieved
or you could even inspire the same changes in them. You'd be surprised how much
the changes you for you actually influence others. Positivity has a ripple
effect that has the ability to go farther than you can imagine. Do you have
kids? Think of how this could impact them for the better as they grow and start
forming better, healthier habits as a result of your own self-improvement. You’re
still doing this for you, by in the end you are doing it for those you love as
well.
