What’s the most important thing to focus on for weight loss?
We often focus on the parts of ‘health’ in segments — we’ll aim to eat better, exercise more, relieve stress, or sleep more. While all of that is important, we need to look at our body as a whole system that relies on many parts working synergistically with each other – each being equally important.
As one of my favorite experts, Dan Garner of Rapid Health Optimization, says, “we often try to lose weight to be healthy, but we need to get healthy to lose weight!”
We often think we need to lose weight to get healthy, but the truth is we need to get healthy to let go of the excess weight.
Remember, six-pack abs and toned arms may look great, but they aren’t necessarily representative of a healthy or fit body.
You may value your body’s aesthetics and want it to look a certain way or be a specific size (and there’s nothing wrong with that!). Still, sometimes we are over focused on the external to the detriment of our internal health and energy.
Our body will only respond to our workouts or diet to the degree that it is healthy.
For instance,
Did you know that not getting enough zinc* from food can stall weight loss and increase feelings of fatigue?
Did you know that getting enough vitamin C in your diet can help you burn 30% more fat during your workouts?
Or that inadequate sleep can promote belly fat storage, a higher body mass index, a poorer quality diet, and decreased insulin sensitivity?
Or that if you don’t have enough muscle mass, you are more likely to experience more significant cognitive decline?
*Please check with your doctor before making any adjustments to your diet or supplementation regimen. And, if you have been consistent with your healthy habits for a while (at least 6 months or more), and have addressed other weight gain influencing factors such as adequate sleep and stress levels but haven’t felt or noticed any changes, it may be worth talking to your doctor to rule out any possible health conditions (such as thyroid or hormonal issues, etc.) that might be stalling your progress.
How does being healthy and fit feel for you?
Have you ever set a goal to lose a certain number of pounds, and when you got there, you still felt disappointed by the result?
We often have an image of how our body should look (usually that is why we start or even keep exercising) but have you thought about how it should feel?
How do you want to feel each day? What will it feel like when you are fit and healthy?
What aspects of your health could be further improved?
What are you willing to do to get (and live!) there?
As you continue on your journey to health and wellness (and perhaps, on your way to healthier body composition), I hope you will consider not only how you want to look, but also how you want to feel each day.
Prioritize your health and what matters most to you.
Honor the season you are in, and decide what you are willing to do to get (and live!) there.
Here’s to your health and well-being!
Great post. I’m definitely going to be eating more zinc and vitamin c rich foods now!