At first glance, this seems like an easy question to answer. But, when you stop and think about it, its not easy at all!
Does “healthy” mean how many push-ups you can do? Or, how far you can run? Or, how well-rounded your diet is? Or, perhaps a combination of these things?
The English word, health means “wholeness, a being whole, sound or well”. The most famous modern-day definition of health was created by the World Health Organization in 1948 (and hasn’t been modified since): “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
I think healthy is actually somewhat of a subjective term, and what is healthy for one person may be not-so-healthy to another. At Saratoga Health & Wellness, we see several people who are focused on weight loss. All too often, the term healthy is defined by PERFECTION. Having the perfect day of eating, or ideal week of activity. People try very hard to be what they envision as “perfect” all of the time, but we know this isn’t realistic, or fun, OR healthy!
So, What IS healthy?
Maybe its easier to determine what isn’t healthy. Starvation diets, foods high in fat and sugar, sedentary lifestyles, lack of sleep, high salt diets, etc, etc. These are things everyone knows they should avoid. But, do you have to avoid them 100% of the time to be “perfect”? Didn’t’ your mother ever tell you there’s no such thing as a perfect individual?
Perhaps healthy is more about IMperfection. Cutting yourself some slack, allowing yourself to skip a day of exercise without guilt, indulging on a dessert once in awhile, taking time for a nap, or a glass of wine with a friend.
Healthy should be making fitness and nutrition a priority without going overboard. Following a positive lifestyle: one that is manageable and as stress-free as possible, includes well-rounded meals (complex cards, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein), incorporates a workout routine that is consistent and realistic, and always ends with a good night’s sleep.