(And Why It Might Look Different for You)
For a long time, I thought “being healthy” meant doing things the right way. Everyone had an opinion on what it meant and everyone was sharing their opinion.
Eating at the “right” times.
Exercising no matter what.
Drinking only water.
Avoiding sugar.
Always being disciplined.
But the more I chased that version of health, the further I got from actually feeling well.
Today, my definition of health looks very different — and honestly, much quieter.
I Eat When I’m Hungry (Even at Night)
If I’m hungry at night, I eat.
Not because I lack willpower.
Not because I “gave in.”
But because hunger doesn’t stop being valid after a certain hour.
Ignoring it just means my brain stays focused on food instead of rest. Eating allows me to sleep, recover, and move on with my day.
Dessert Is Dessert (And Fruit Is Just Fruit)
I eat desserts. And no — I’m not calling fruit dessert to make it feel “allowed.”
Dessert is dessert because it’s enjoyable, not because it needs to earn a health halo. When I stopped moralizing sweets, they stopped feeling so powerful.
I Rest When My Body Needs Rest
Some days I push myself to exercise. Some days I skip a run.
Not because I’m lazy — but because rest is part of health.
Pushing through exhaustion doesn’t make your body stronger. Listening does.
I Don’t Know My Weight (And I’m Okay With That)
My health is not measured by a number.
It’s measured by energy, digestion, mood, strength, and how food fits into my life — not how much space it takes up in my head.
And yes, knowing your weight is important for several medical conditions but for most of us, it’s simply a number we use to judge ourselves.
Hydration Isn’t a Perfection Contest
I drink fluids throughout the day.
A lot of it is water.
Some of it is coffee.
Some of it has sugar.
I keep an eye out for signs of dehydration (headaches, dry mouth, dark urine) but otherwise I drink as I please.
Meal Prep or Planing Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy
The only meal prep I’m doing most weeks? Making extra rice so we have leftovers tomorrow.
That’s it. Sure, I would love to say I plan out my meals weekly but when the weekends get busy, it just doesn’t happen that way.
Health doesn’t require color-coded containers or Sunday marathons in the kitchen. It just needs to work in real life.
Healthy Looks Different for All of Us
This is what health looks like for me. Yours might look different — and that doesn’t make it wrong.
Health isn’t about following someone else’s routine perfectly. It’s about responding to your body with consistency, flexibility, and trust.
If your version of healthy doesn’t match what you see online, that’s not a failure.
That’s you doing what actually works. And that’s the whole point.
If you’re looking for help to make some sustainable tweaks to your daily routine to improve your health, reach out, I’m here to help! Or check out the different services I offer including a self-paced nutrition course as well as a 6-week nutrition coaching program.