14 Ways to Work Towards Health, Without Weight Loss
“How can I improve my health without losing weight?” is a question that comes up often in my client sessions. Many of my clients come to sessions with fear around their physical health or concerns that may have come up at the doctors. Because of the weight-centric medical system, weight loss is often times the first suggestion* doctors make to improve health, and this can be detrimental in many ways. I love to offer up other ideas and suggestions to my clients of how we can work towards improving our health, weight loss aside. This is often a great check in, but also not a destination. Because our body’s are always changing, our health does too. Rather, I like to think of this as an act of respect for your body - a commitment to yourself.
Move your body in ways that feel good for you
Rest when your body is asking for rest
Stay on top of your medical appointments with regularity (going to the dentist, dermatologist, annual exams, your primary care doctor, etc.)
Hydrate your body
Eat enough food (3 meals and snacks is a general rule of thumb to get you started)
Connect and create awareness of your own bodily sensations
Work towards gentle nutrition, where all food can be eaten without guilt, shame or anxiety.
Connect with people who make you feel loved, supported and celebrated
Take your medication as prescribed
Work on your relationship with food
Take care of your mental health
Experience more joy
Get adequate sleep
Be on your phone less and in the present moment more
The intention of this list is to give you ideas and encouragement of how you can keep working towards health. Some days, drinking water may be your goal - other days, going to your therapist appointment, is wonderful. Some days, eating breakfast is freaking amazing!
NOTE: health can be a tricky topic - and I offer this conversation up with the most sensitivity. For some, there is a tremendous trauma around even the word health - and if that is you, I see you and am holding space for you. Your pain is real. It is also a topic that comes with tremendous privilege. Not all of these items are accessible and available to all people, because of the social determinants of health. To read more about how the social determinants of health impact ones ability to achieve health, click here.
How do you personally think of health? What else would you add?
