Feeling good about yourself will always be more important than looking good. Your outer appearance may change with time, but your inner beauty will only grow stronger.

While looking good may be a positive outcome of a healthy lifestyle, it should not be the sole focus of our health and wellness. It’s essential to remember that being healthy goes beyond appearance and encompasses a range of factors, including physical and mental well-being, lifestyle habits, and overall quality of life.

In addition, it’s crucial to recognize that fitness and health are not necessarily the same thing. Being physically fit does not equate to being healthy, as fitness can be achieved through extreme or unsustainable practices that can be detrimental to our health in the long run. Instead, it’s important to focus on creating a sustainable lifestyle that promotes overall health and wellness.

Self-care

Taking care of our physical and mental health can have a positive impact on every aspect of our lives. When we prioritize our health and wellness, we may experience increased energy levels, improved mood, better sleep quality, and reduced stress levels. These benefits can lead to greater productivity, motivation, and a higher quality of life.

It’s important to remember that our health and wellness journey is unique to us, and we should not compare ourselves to others. Instead of focusing solely on outward appearances or comparing ourselves to others, we should prioritize creating a sustainable lifestyle that promotes long-term health and happiness.

While looking good may be a positive outcome of a healthy lifestyle, one must recognize that health and wellness go beyond appearance. Remembering that fitness and health are not the same thing is also important, as we should strive for practices that promote our long-term health rather than unsustainable or extreme practices.

It’s also worth noting that everyone’s definition of “looking good” varies. Society’s definition of beauty often emphasizes physical appearance, but this narrow definition can be harmful and exclusionary. Focusing on feeling good in your own skin by embracing your unique traits and features can yield tremendous mental and physical health benefits.

To prioritize health over looks, start by setting realistic and achievable goals that focus on improving overall well-being rather than solely on physical appearance. This can include incorporating healthy habits like regular exercise, balanced meals, and mindfulness practices into your daily routine.

Avoid bad influences

It is common knowledge that our personal habits play a significant role in our overall well-being, so avoiding individuals who promote unhealthy habits is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When we surround ourselves with people who engage in unhealthy behaviors, we’re more likely to follow suit. It’s important to acknowledge that our environment has a significant impact on our choices, and thus, distancing ourselves from individuals who promote unhealthy habits is equally, if not more, important than maintaining healthy habits ourselves. Ultimately, being mindful of whom we surround ourselves with is essential for fostering a positive and healthy lifestyle.

Sometimes, it’s challenging to distance yourself from negative influences, especially if they are close friends or family members. However, it’s important to prioritize your own health and well-being, and sometimes that means making tough choices about whom you spend your time with. It’s important to communicate your goals and boundaries with those around you and to seek support from positive influences who will help you achieve your goals.

Social media: What you should know!

In today’s world, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. While it can be a great platform for sharing information and connecting with others, it can also have negative effects on our mental and physical health. One way social media can be detrimental is by emphasizing physical beauty over health. We are bombarded with images of “perfect” bodies and flawless skin, often achieved through extreme dieting or photo editing. This can create unrealistic and dangerous beauty standards and promote unhealthy behaviors, such as restrictive eating and excessive exercise. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, which can have lasting effects on our overall health and well-being. We must recognize the impact social media can have on our perceptions of beauty and prioritize our health instead of seeking unrealistic beauty standards.

As individuals, there are several things we can do to combat the negative effects of social media on our perception of physical beauty and health:

Limit our social media use: While it may not be possible to erase social media from our lives, we can try to limit our use and exposure to content that promotes unrealistic beauty standards.

 Follow positive body image accounts: There are many accounts on social media that promote body positivity and self-love. By following these accounts, we can surround ourselves with positive messages and images that celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

 Focus on health, not appearance: As I mentioned earlier, instead of striving for an unrealistic body ideal, we can shift our focus to prioritizing our overall health and well-being. This means adopting healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.

Educate ourselves and others: By educating ourselves and others about the negative effects of social media on our perception of physical beauty and health, we can work towards creating a more positive and inclusive online environment.

I know that change won’t happen overnight, but by taking small steps toward promoting a positive body image and prioritizing our health, we can make a difference both in our own lives and in the larger community. Seek support and encouragement

Surrounding yourself with positive influences can also make a significant impact on your ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When you are surrounded by people who support your journey toward better health, you are more likely to stay motivated and focused on your goals. You may find it easier to adopt healthy habits when you have the support of others who are also making positive changes in their lives.

Besides seeking positive influences in your personal life, you can also find support through online communities, support groups, and wellness programs. These resources can provide you with guidance, motivation, and accountability as you work towards better health.

Focus on your inner health and wellbeing

We must remind ourselves that true beauty emanates from within, and this can only be achieved through prioritizing our health and well-being. When we prioritize our physical and mental health, we not only improve our physical appearance, but we also experience a positive impact on our overall quality of life. When we feel healthy and happy, we radiate positivity and are better equipped to handle life’s challenges. By emphasizing on the importance of our health, we can inspire and influence those around us to adopt healthy habits and enjoy a better quality of life. True beauty is a reflection of our inner selves, and prioritizing our health and wellness is the key to unlocking it. When you prioritize your health, you are investing in your own happiness and well-being.

Set realistic goals

By setting realistic goals that focus on improving our overall well-being, we can create a sustainable lifestyle that promotes long-term health and happiness. For example, instead of setting a goal to lose a certain amount of weight within a short period, we can set a goal to incorporate more whole foods into our diet or to increase our daily physical activity. These goals are achievable, and the positive changes we make in our habits can lead to lasting improvements in our health and well-being.

While our choices and behaviors play a significant role in our overall health, there are many factors that contribute to our well-being, including genetics, the environment, and access to healthcare. It’s essential to approach health and wellness with compassion towards ourselves and others, recognizing that not everyone has the same opportunities or resources to achieve optimal health.

Be nice!

Being compassionate towards ourselves and others is also an important aspect of prioritizing health over looks. It’s easy to compare ourselves to others or to strive for an unrealistic standard of health and beauty, but this can lead to negative self-talk, self-doubt, and even mental health issues. By practicing self-compassion and recognizing that our health and wellness journey is unique to us, we can cultivate a more positive relationship with ourselves and others.

Rather than comparing ourselves to others or striving for an unrealistic standard of health, it’s more helpful to focus on making positive changes that work for our individual circumstances and needs. This can involve setting achievable goals, adopting healthy habits, and seeking support when needed. By prioritizing our overall well-being over external appearances, we can create sustainable, long-term changes that promote both physical and mental health.

As someone who was once a professional athlete, I understand the pressure to prioritize physical appearance over all else. However, I also recognize that this mindset can lead to mental and emotional issues, and ultimately be detrimental to our overall well-being. By shifting our focus towards inner health and well-being, we can create a healthier and happier life for ourselves.

When we focus on our physical and mental health, we are not only improving our overall well-being but also increasing our ability to handle stress and challenges in life. A healthy body and mind can improve our productivity, creativity, and motivation, allowing us to achieve more in our personal and professional lives.

Ultimately, true beauty and happiness come from within. By prioritizing our health and well-being, we can improve our physical and mental health, increase our ability to handle stress and challenges, and cultivate a more positive relationship with ourselves and others.

If you’re seeking to enhance your overall health, well-being, and happiness, we’d love to help. You can visit us at www.NordinesInnerFitness.com to learn more about our services and programs designed to support your individual needs and goals. We’re committed to empowering individuals to prioritize their inner health and well-being, and we believe everyone deserves access to the tools and resources needed to achieve optimal health. So, if you’re ready to take the first step towards a healthier, happier you, we invite you to explore our website and connect with us today.

Nordine and team at InnerFitness®