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No matter what our weight, we can use the
cues from our physical and mental selves to judge how healthy we are. 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 also will
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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