Health and Wellness: Addition Versus Subtraction
When most of us think about creating a healthy lifestyle, we automatically think of all the things we will have to quit doing or cut out of our lives. Maybe you tell yourself you need to stop eating junk food, drink less alcohol, or lose weight. Maybe we believe the promise of diets that claim cutting out one type of food entirely will lead to weight loss.
Let’s be honest — subtracting these things from our lives or spending hours exercising to lose weight feels overwhelming. And, in most cases, they aren’t sustainable habits anyway.
What if we allowed ourselves to think differently about getting healthier? At Resonance, we prefer to focus on creating a space where we add to our health rather than subtract from it. So often, our focus and our perspective are key to success. We can encourage ourselves by shifting our perspective and focusing on the positives we can add and the good we’ve done rather than beating ourselves down over failures or the work still left to do.
Here are just a few ways to think about addition versus subtraction when it comes to health and wellness.
Add nutrients to your plate
Find ways of adding fruits and vegetables to your plate to add nutrients and help keep you satiated. Experiment a little here to figure out if you like to add fruit to your breakfast or if a mid-morning snack of berries works better for you. Rather than putting off giving up your favorite foods during a busy week or weekend, add an extra vegetable to your dinner or reach for some fruit for a snack.
Get some extra movement to your day
Exercise isn’t limited to time at the gym. Take your pup for an extra walk after dinner. Go dancing with your friends. Get out in the garden and pull some weeds. Those squats will add up before you realize it, plus any outdoor activity has the bonus of getting some vitamin D in your day. Find short breaks to add in a little extra movement at work or at home. It all adds up to big benefits for your heart and your lungs.
Focus on strength and endurance
When it comes to exercise, focus on building up your body rather than shredding your waistline. Make your goals about seeing what your body can do — another rep or a higher weight — rather than how many calories you burn. That simple shift can be so empowering!
It’s time we change our conversation on health. Health isn’t just about living a perfectly clean lifestyle and spending hours at the gym. That isn’t realistic for most people. Health is about adding healthy habits and making small choices that add up over time.
