Fit and Fabulous: Adopt a Healthy Perspective
With predominant social media and mainstream images of unobtainable body images, it can be easy to misconstrue the meaning of healthy. The lack of diversity depicts an unrealistic image of what women look like and the skinny bodies they should aspire to have.
Skinny is an objective measure that is based on weight and appearance, and it does not indicate a person’s wellbeing. Women come in different sizes. Some are naturally thinner than others, similar to how some women have long faces and some women are short.
Understanding your body type and the meaning of being healthy will give you the confidence you need to enjoy life.
What is Healthy?
Generally, health refers to the state of your mind, body, and spirit. It’s characterized by your ability to prevent disease and function daily. Health can be separated into two different categories: physical and mental.
- Physical health refers to the body’s physical condition or state. Maintaining good body health includes regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest.
- Mental health refers to your emotional and cognitive well-being. It’s characterized by the ability to cope with stress, to enjoy life, face adversity and to live free of mental illness.
Being healthy is not about comparing yourself to images in media or your peers, it’s a unique and personal journey.
Know Your Body
Your body changes as you age due to puberty, childbirth, weight gain, and weight loss. A change in your figure is a natural part of life. Most women fit into one of eight female body types:
- Straight: Your bust and hips are the same size and your waist is slightly smaller than your bust and hips.
- Spoon: Your hips are larger than your bust and your waist is slightly smaller than your bust.
- Pear: Your hips are larger than your bust, and your waist gradually slopes out to your hips.
- Inverted triangle: Your bust is large, your hips are narrow, and your waist is not well defined.
- Oval: Your waist is larger than your bust and hips. Your hips are narrow compared to your shoulders, and your breasts are adequate in size.
- Diamond: Your waist is larger than your bust and hips. Your shoulders are narrow compared to your hips. Your breasts are small to medium in size.
- Hourglass: Your bust and hips are basically the same size and your waist is well defined.
- Top hourglass: The bust is larger than the hips and the waist is well defined.
Once you know your body type, embrace it! Create an individualized health plan to accompany your health goals.
Achieve a Healthy Weight
In order to maintain a healthy weight suitable to your body type, you must maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. A consistent calorie intake of nutrient-rich foods will help you meet your body’s needs and keep you energized. Talk with your physician about your recommended daily calorie intake based on your body type, weight, and activity level.
Daily exercise will also help you achieve a healthy body weight, reduce your risk of chronic disease, strengthen bones, and improve your mental health. Get your body moving at least 30-60 minutes per day. Try different activities such as yoga, swimming, or boxing.
Change Your Perspective
It will take time to alter your perspective on what healthy means but here are three steps you can take to make it happen.
- Say goodbye to the scale! Maintain a healthy weight, but don’t judge yourself by numbers on the scale.
- Eat real food instead of diet or fad foods. Satiate your body with fresh, whole foods.
- Minimize your exposure to media that triggers a negative body image. The more we see or hear, the more we believe. Focus on filling your mind with images of healthy living.