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Health is not a numerical concept and cannot be defined using
statistics. Human beings, however, tend to want to quantify well-being into
easily understandable figures. We feel compelled to ascribe numbers to every
aspect of wellness, from the qualities of our food to our fitness levels to
the physical space we occupy. As a consequence of social pressures, we turn
our attention away from health and focus instead on the most contentious of
these figures -- weight -- checking our scales to see how we measure up to
our peers and role models. Yet each of us is equipped to gauge our relative
healthfulness without any equipment whatsoever. When we have achieved a state
of wellness, we feel buoyant and energetic. Some of us are naturally slim,
while others will always be curvy. No matter what our weight, we can use the
cues we receive from our physical and mental selves to judge how healthy we
really are.
When you throw away your scale, you commit to a lifestyle that honors the
innate wisdom that comes from within your body and within your mind. It is
logical to examine how you feel while considering your health -- a strong,
fit, and well-nourished individual will seldom feel heavy, bloated, or
fatigued. If you have concerns regarding your weight, remind yourself that at
its proper weight, your body will feel buoyant and agile. Movement becomes a
source of joy. Sitting, standing, walking, and bending are all easy to do
because your joints and organs are functioning as they were meant to. When
you are physically healthy, your mind will also typically occupy a place of
well-being. Mental clarity and an ability to focus are two natural traits of
whole-self health. Surprisingly, promoting this type of easy-to-discern
wellness within yourself takes no special effort outside of satisfying your
hunger with nourishing, wholesome foods and moving your body.
The numbers you see on the scale, while nominally informative, can prevent
you from reaching your healthful eating goals by giving you a false indicator
of health. You will know when you have achieved true health because every
fiber of your being will send you signals of wellness. When you choose to
listen to these signals instead of relying on the scale, your definition of
well-being will be uniquely adapted to the needs of your body and of your
mind.
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