The Gains Beyond the Scale
"It is not about what you lose, but about what you gain."
In today's health-focused landscape, it's easy to become obsessed with numbers: the number on the scale, the calories we eat, the steps we take, or the hours we sleep. While these data are informative (and I am a numbers gal), the numbers only tell a fraction of our health story.
True wellness is about the gains we make in our physical, emotional, and social well-being. I strongly believe in an integrative approach to health encompassing the 3MS: meals, movement, and mindset, along with essential components like sleep, stress management, and social connections. What you learn and gain in these realms is a crucial part of your health journey.
Meals - Nutritional Abundance Over Caloric Deficiency
Rather than just cutting calories, focus on the quality of each meal. Nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes can fuel the body and enhance cellular functions.
Movement - Beyond Burning Calories
Exercise isn't just a calorie-burning tool; it's a way to gain strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. Moreover, regular movement can enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Mindset - Growth Over Fixed
Cultivate a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. A positive mindset can lead to better problem-solving skills, resilience, and even improved health outcomes. We also need to shed our perfection paralysis to make progress.
Sleep - Quality Over Quantity
Prioritize deep, restorative sleep. Instead of fixating on just the number of hours, you also need to understand the quality of sleep. Proper sleep aids in cognitive function, metabolic regulation, and overall rejuvenation.
Stress - Management Over Elimination
It's not about avoiding stress but learning how to manage it. I have talked about eustress and distress in prior posts. Not all stress is bad. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can transform your response to stress, leading to a more balanced mental and physical state.
Social Connection - Depth Over Breadth
Cultivate deep, meaningful relationships. While having a broad social network is pleasant, forming close connections can enhance emotional well-being, reduce feelings of isolation, and even contribute to longevity.
Our health journey isn't a sprint; it's a marathon—a lifelong commitment to gaining vitality, happiness, resilience, and balance. Embrace the journey and celebrate what you gain along the way.
Be well.
