As an absolute health geek and fitness fanatic, I am constantly learning about the latest science that can help me create a healthier body, mind and spirit. I’m always listening to a new podcast, reading the latest natural health book or talking to those around me about how to be a better version of myself. With New Years in the rear view, I have set many health-focused goals, pushing myself to reach ultimate health this year inside and out. However, with the constant flow of information and discussion, the question of “Am I healthy enough?” becomes more and more apparent.
What does healthy mean? Does it mean fitter? Abs that are always showing, or constant energy, or perfect sleep, or beating daily moodiness, or eating clean at every meal? How do you measure your personal health success when constantly immersed in the health world?
I fell in love with natural health in high school when I was dealing with symptoms that could not be explained by my family allopathic doctor. My hair was getting shorter and shorter every month, I was moody AF, had poor energy and overall did not feel like I should at the ripe age of 16. Through many practitioners and tests, I found I had Leaky Gut Syndrome (who hasn’t at this point?) and began the healing process through a couple years of eliminating toxins, inflammatory food and incorporating new healthy habits.
After helping my body heal through natural means (shout out to Aloe Vera juice that literally seals the holes in your gut), I realized how strongly I loved the field of natural health, nutritional medicine and fitness. I began to study and help others with acute health problems that can be fixed through the right diet, supplementation strategy, lifestyle habits and exercise routine. As someone with years of experience, studying Global Health in University and currently studying Holistic Nutrition, I am well versed in the world of natural health. And I truly love it.
I have a growth mindset; there is always so much to learn and I couldn’t stop wanting to know more even if I tried. But when is the point where you feel content with where you are rather than focusing on lifting more weight, being a different size, running faster, eating smarter or drinking more water? Don’t get me wrong, I am all for goals. I’m the girl who sets New Years goals and actually maintains them every year (queue eye roll), but I wonder when and how and where do we stop and say “I have come so far, look at my progress, I am happy and satisfied with where I am today.” I am pleased with where I am, but I know I could be fitter, stronger, and eat smarter.
I am a total health geek. I am currently exercising every day; rotating between HIIT, resistance training to muscle failure, yoga, jumping jacks (to create EZ water in my cells) and outdoor walking or hiking. I intermittent fast almost everyday, with my eating window from 12-1pm to 8-9pm, with a liter of water in the morning with Vitamin A, C, E (antioxidants), 5-HTP (boosts the mood), magnesium (helps with circadian rhythm and muscle fatigue) and l-glutamine (to continue to boost gut health). I have different supplements I take with food, at night and with exercise. I eat a “clean” diet that focuses on vegetables, grass-fed (and grass-finished) meat, pasteurized eggs, little fruit, plenty of fat and limited dairy, sugar, grains and refined food. This has taken years to evolve to where it is now, and I am proud of this.
But why do I feel like there is always more or something to add? Friends of mine in the health and fitness field strongly agree and feel this daily. But wait a minute… I have friends in ANY field that agree. Maybe the issue is not about being healthy enough for ourselves or compared to others, but rather an overarching theme of not feeling good enough in general due to Western societal pressure to always be striving for the “American dream” and perfectionism.
How is it that the pressures of Western culture have seeped into the natural health realm, a place where it is supposed to be about healing, acceptance, gratitude and alignment with oneself?
Open any social media platform and you can instantly feel like you’re not drinking enough blue majik lattes (if any), not going to hot yoga as often as you should or not meditating in the newest way. A world of comparison is where we live and the only true exit strategy is to not give a f–k. Stepping away from your goals and what others are doing, and focusing on where you stand today, how healthy you are in this moment compared to the last week, month or year IS enough. You are healthy enough. I am healthy enough. We are good enough, regardless of the 3 glasses of wine last night. Let’s banish the culture of comparison, shame and guilt. Let’s promote self-acceptance, self-love and gratitude for how much effort we have put in to get where we are in this very moment. We’ve killed it. We are enough.
Brittany Ford, Nutritional Medicine Student and Natural Health Enthusiast.
Any individuals in sports and fitness who would like to share their voice, please submit to hank@hankfittraining.com
To get in touch with Brittany you can reach her on her blog Green Bee Health https://greenbeenutrition.com/