Our health and wellness is not defined by some number we want to arrive at. Our health is a journey and not a destination.

If your only goal is to lose weight by exercising more and eating fewer calories, you are missing the larger picture. The reason why I take a holistic lifestyle approach to wellness is because we are the sum of our parts.  By approaching weight management this way, we are able to improve our health on all levels.

The number on the scale tells us very little about our well-being. Someone could be considered overweight by the Body Mass Index (BMI) Chart, but truthfully be very healthy because that weight could be mostly lean muscle mass.

Our weight naturally fluctuates as well, which can lead to the scale becoming a source of neurosis. We enter into this vicious cycle with it, sometimes feeling proud and other times feeling worthless. So, it’s not helpful to obsess over that data point.

The solution is to be less concerned about the number on the scale, and more invested in developing a healthy diet, healthy thought patterns and healthy behaviors. Bringing true nourishment and love to our bodies will naturally bring us to our ideal weight.

A holistic path for optimum weight includes these four things:

FOOD.

The bacteria in our gut helps us break down and absorb our food. The healthier our gut, the healthier we are! Make sure you include probiotics in your diet. This includes foods like miso, kimchi and sauerkraut.  The more nutrients we have in our cells, the better our bodies can function. This will lead to increased levels of energy and quality of life.

MINDFULNESS.

Do your best to be observant of your internal and external conditions. Over time, this will help you see what types of thought patterns, foods, people, places and activities produce optimal results for your health. Daily meditation is a great way to learn mindfulness so you can carry it into all aspects of life.

STRESS MANAGEMENT.

When we perceive stress, or bodies automatically go into the fight-or-flight response and our endocrine system produces cortisol, adrenaline and other stress hormones.

These hormones are useful in the moment, but harmful in the long-term. Cortisol has been shown to increase the amount of belly fat stored by the body, particularly in women, and often leave us with chronic fatigue.

Find the stress-reduction methods that are most effective for you and employ them to help you reduce your stress-hormone levels. Yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki and aerobic exercise are particularly effective stress reducers.

SELF LOVE.

Aiming to drop a dress size in time for your beach vacation in five days is an easy path to disappointment and self-blaming. 

Setting a more attainable goal, such as trying a new exercise class once a week or swapping one sweet treat for a healthier option, is a better way to protect your self-esteem and respect your body’s limits.

These are just a few ways to get started on the holistic path for healthy weight loss. 

So if you’re frustrated with your weight and lack of results, try focusing more on nourishing your body as opposed to depriving it. Get rid of the scale if all it does is bring stress and self-criticism. Instead, approach your health from a place of compassion. Focus on doing what is best for your body, mind and spirit – and the weight will come off naturally.

Getting Support

These are just some of the issues I help my clients with through my holistic lifestyle and nutrition coaching.

I offer private one-on-one coaching programs that help you to create a plan and practice these skills with the focus and consistency you need in order to reach your health, wellness and weight management goals.

Coaching for Healthy Living offers services via phone and video. Contact Janine at Janine@Coach4HealthyLiving.com to learn more or click below for your complimentary consultation.

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