Skip to main content

Why Wellness?


I recently had someone say that "wellness" is just a term that people use to talk about dieting and looking a certain way and that she wants nothing to do with it. I'm sure she has some things from her past that made her view it that way, but I also realized that there might be other people who misinterpret what "wellness" is...and why it is so important.

First, let me clarify what wellness isn't:

  • Wellness isn't how you look in a bathing suit
  • Wellness isn't the number on a scale (although that can be a sign that you aren't well)
  • Wellness isn't being able to run a marathon
  • Wellness isn't depriving yourself from all good foods and only eating kale ;)
What is wellness? Wellness is taking care of the body that God gave you -- allowing it to function to it's fullest potential.

God, in his awesome creativity, gave us bodies of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Contrary to what is shown on TV and the internet, one shape and size isn't better than another. And athletic ability doesn't determine our worth...or the money we make. We don't get to choose the body we have, but it is our responsibility to take care of it.

Let's say you got a brand new luxury car. Are you going to fill the inside with fast food wrappers, use diesel for fuel, and never get the oil-changed? Of course not! You give it the fuel it needs, you protect the floors and leather inside, and you make sure the engine is running it's best. 

Your body is far more valuable than any car and has WAY more responsibilities that just getting your from place to place. You need to care for you body so that it runs it best -- by fueling it with proper nutrients and food, drinking water not sugar loaded beverages, maintaining healthy gut bacteria, etc.

I'm not a fan of diets. God made our bodies to run on carbs, fats, and proteins -- there is no need to remove one of them. When we focus simply on weight, we keep our bodies from functioning the way God designed them to run. Does our society need to eat better? YES! Our world is overfed, but undernourished. 

So why focus on wellness? I strive for health and wellness so that I can be around to watch my kids grow up AND can engage with them -- that I can go play a game of basketball or wiffle ball with them. I want to thrive so that I always have the energy to help and support my family. I'm 42 years old, but feel better than I did in my 20s. 

How about you? What motivates you? Why do you need to focus on wellness? Maybe it's so you can focus at work and not fall asleep on the job. Maybe it's to get rid of Type 2 diabetes. Maybe you just want to get up the stairs without running out of breath or wake up in the morning without everything hurting. Find your "why" and start working toward those wellness goals. Not because the world tells your to look better. But because you value your body and want to feel better.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

We Have a Date!

The wedding date is set: Friday, March 2. I've already booked our church, our pastor, and the reception hall. Whew. I've been busy. Luckily, I already knew where I wanted the reception to be held and since I'm doing a Friday evening, it was easier to book the reception hall. My mom, Kara (my sister and matron-of-honor), and I are looking at dresses this Saturday. How fun! I already found one that I REALLY like online at David's Bridal. So, we are heading there first on Saturday. Jess bought me a wedding planning book -- wow! I had no idea that there were so many things to do! Plus, most people start almost a year in advance and I'm doing it in six months. Oh well. The work is well worth the short wait. So, how am I doing with posting so far? Look, Amanda, two blogs in one week! You must be proud of me. Still no pictures as Walter has been out of town and I don't have a camera. Hopefully, I will have some for you soon.

I'M ENGAGED!!!

Saturday night, on top of the John Hancock building in downtown Chicago, Walter asked me to marry him! I said, "Of course I will." The ring is absolutely gorgeous!! It's exactly what I wanted. (We didn't go ring shopping, but I gave him hints of what I wanted). It's a platinum solitare princess (square) cut one carat diamond. I'll take a picture of it and try to post it for you. It looks like our wedding date is Friday, March 2. I have to double check on some things, but most likely, that is the date. Here's the story: Walter was really low key about everything. We had already planned to go to Chicago that day to the Lincoln Park Zoo. I had never been there and we have a list of things we want to do. So, he picked me up at 11:30am on Saturday. He surprised me with a dozen+ (actually 14) red roses. We headed to Chicago and the zoo. Afterwards, we went to Frontera Grill where I have really wanted to go. It's incredibly difficult to get in, so he had call...

Gratitude Not Attitude

  "Gratitude not attitude" became my mantra during the beginning of COVID-19. During that time, I would go for long walks -- listening to music and spending time in prayer. Sounds fine, however, often during my "talks with God" I would find myself complaining about something someone said and how it hurt me or some other situation. I realized that I could continue down that road or end the negative thoughts. So, I would stop myself in the middle of my pity party and say "Gratitude not attitude." I would then think of all the things I am grateful for about that person and/or situation. Was it always easy? No. Worth it? Yes. As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, are you needing to switch your negative attitude to one of gratitude? Where are the blessings in e-learning? In this political climate, where do your thoughts go when thinking about Democrats or Republicans? One party is not all positive and one all negative. BOTH parties have positives and negativ...