True Picture of Health - Matters of the Heart

I have kept quiet on the subject of what healthy looks like for a long time, but I just have to get these thoughts off my chest. Health is a very specific and unique circumstance to each person, and not something that you can or should judge based solely on outward appearance.  I am not writing this with any negative intention, just to express my viewpoint on the subject. God has blessed us with a body, mind and soul - it is up to each of how we choose to feed these things. When it comes to the body there are always potential or current health circumstances that may promote the switch to a healthy lifestyle. To say that a person is obsessed when they exercise and eat healthy regularly is a misused term. The dedication and mental perseverance it takes to stick to a program and improve your overall health is a hard battle, and should be something that is celebrated. To insinuate that someone who does such things is unhealthy, possibly has an eating disorder or appears under nourished is an unjust accusation.


Health, is not based solely by the number on the scale or the size of your clothes - it involves many factors. Some of these factors can be broken down for you at a doctors office, but the true transformation of health starts with how you are feeding your mind and soul, not your body. Sometimes the emotional things you are dealing with are so heavy laden, that it may be best to focus on that before you focus on the health of your body. I have worked with challengers who are going through extremely difficult emotional circumstances, that sometimes may motivate them on the fitness front or other times may make it so that they are unable to continue the program.  Ever had a day where you cannot get out of bed or off the couch to save your life? Ever felt so mentally burdened by something that it is literally life consuming? Do I consider these situations as failures? Not even close - people in these situations deserve all the credit in the world for deciding to work on their heart and mind. The workouts will always be there when you are ready to pick them up - life begins when you do. For me - when I find myself in these situations, I have to re-direct my focus on my faith and allow God to lead. My mental and spiritual health needs to come first and foremost - the external and physical aspects will come in later.

When I hear someone say that they are depressed because of their weight or appearance, that indicates to me that there are matters of the heart that need to be addressed. I have found myself saying and thinking this. Our worth in this life is not based on appearance, but how you can pursue and lead a life of passion and positivity. This is something I need to work on and remind myself of everyday.  I have been seeing a therapist for several months now, working on understanding my habits and thought processes. I have been taking what I am learning about myself and applying that to my faith and daily regimen. Why, because we can always better ourselves in several areas of our lives. The journey that God has for me is unique to me. The picture of health for you, is unique to you. When I post before and after photos or pictures and results of challengers - it is simply to encourage and motivate others, not as a definite statement of 'this is what you need to look like'. God has created beauty in each of us, regardless of outward appearance.

So, in conclusion - please do not judge others based on how they look on the outside - it is matters of the heart that count and words can be extremely hurtful. Be mindful of others, but focus on your own development and own heart. Be authentic, take ownership of where you are and live life to the fullest - no room for negativity!