What You Should Be Focusing On

If you concentrate on health and contentment as your goal by moving your body everyday and introducing more whole, natural foods into your diet then weight loss just happens as a by-product (this fact is key to remember) If you focus just on weight loss then people tend to get caught up in the numbers...the scale, body measurements, weighting food etc. It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Focus on being healthy and happy---and by the way, healthy happens at all body sizes (it’s called metabolic health and yes, it’s a thing) So here’s what happens when you focus on health by moving a little bit more and eating a little better:

• You normalize your blood pressure

• You decrease the risk of heart disease and some cancers

• Your flexibility increases

• You can keep up with your kids

• You sleep better

• The sun looks brighter

• The grass looks greener

• The air smells fresher

There is no magic number on the scale where the above happens. Move more, eat better and the above can happen at almost any weight. By getting caught up in the numbers you miss the ride---you miss the life going on around you. You let numbers control your mood in stead of focusing on the positive things in life. Here’s what happens when you focus on weight.

• Can lead to stress (you are always chasing some elusive number)

• Can lead to unhealthy relationships with food

• Can lead to unhealthy body image issues

No need for fancy equipment or the latest fitness techniques. Moving more is easy! Go for a walk at lunch or after dinner. Try taking up gardening. Use the stairs a little more than you do now. Play hide-and-seek with your kids.

So, is it easy to focus on living a healthier life? Nope...there are days when you don’t feel like moving. There are days when you what a cookie instead of an apple. I have a name for people like this...I call them normal!

But focus on little steps. Just very small changes over time and remember...never give up