Good News for Longer, Healthier Life
What comes to my mind when you picture a “fit” person? Most of us automatically conjure images of thin, muscly, young, athletic bodies. When asked to picture someone who is “unfit,” chances are the images automatically appearing in the brain are larger, softer, older bodies. It takes a lot of de-programming and education not to automatically extend those biases onto our own bodies. But studies continue to show that fitness at any size leads to a longer, healthier life, while the lack of fitness is associated with mortality at every size. Translation - fit and fat will always be healthier than thin and de-conditioned.
There is more good news! A recent study that further demonstrated this reality, defined fit in the most generous possible terms — above the lowest 20th percentile for their demographic. For most of us, enough fitness to improve the quality and longevity of our lives is very much within reach, and has very little to do with weight loss.
I know, I know… what about the mountains of information that we’ve been fed for years from both medical and fitness professionals that is laser-focused on weight as the culprit for every problem in our bodies? We are learning that correlation is not causation. We are learning that anti-fat bias has caused tremendous harm and fuels misguided treatments. We are learning that better fitness is a baseline for a healthier body, regardless of size.
The New Year often invites resolutions and an opportunity to re-focus our lives in the direction of positive change. When it comes to our bodies, I propose that instead of resolving to lose ‘x-number’ of pounds, or fit into certain jeans, that we consider instead how we want to feel in our bodies in the coming year. Strong? Flexible? Energetic? Spry? Less painful? Able to tackle the stairs without being breathless? Able to keep up with the kids in your life?
Even small changes that fold fitness into your daily life will improve how you feel, in the short-term and the long-run.
I would love to support you feeling better in your body in 2025! In addition to traditional physical fitness, I offer training for nervous system regulation, in case feeling better in your body includes managing stress, calming anxiety, and healing your nervous system as well. Reach out to me here, for a free, no-obligation consultation to explore your healthier options in the coming year!