When do we stop letting external factors dictate how we eat or move?

I am (rapidly) approaching my 30th birthday, and as we all do when we are reaching a new decade, I’m reflecting on the previous one. From each of my first 3 decades I have nothing but fantastic memories, but like most of us, I have been guilty of some pretty poor health choices in my 30 years on this planet. Every year that's gone by, I get more and more comfortable with who I am, and I realise how easy it was to allow external factors dictate how I feel about myself. 

If there is one thing the last few years has solidified for me, it’s that life is for living. This doesn't mean neglecting healthful habits like nutritious meals, water, sleep and exercise, but it certainly does mean finding a balance. Sometimes, with finding this balance, comes a slight body change. For some it might be a big of weight loss, for others it might be weight gain; but the one common factor most of these people find is happiness. 

You can't fully be living if all that matters is your exercise and diet; equally, neglecting your health could simply lead to a less full life. Eating a healthy, balanced diet accompanied by regular exercise is essential in maintaining physical and mental health and well-being. Healthier lifestyles are also associated with improved sleep and mood. However, like everything, taking anything to an extreme will actually reduce or even completely negate the health benefits.

For example when you take exercise too far it is actually known as exercise addiction. “Exercise addiction is a state characterised by a compulsive engagement in any form of physical exercise, despite negative consequences. Exercise addiction generally involves performing excessive amounts of exercise to the detriment of physical health, spending too much time exercising to the detriment of personal and professional life, and exercising regardless of physical injury’’.

Over the years, celebrities, influencers, media and social media have impacted how we have felt about ourselves but also what we do. From juice diets, to making you feel guilty for taking days off exercise; for promoting 6 pack abs as easy, sustainable and achievable...to name a few. So I am leaving you with this: taking out how exercise and nutrition can impact your physique, how would you eat, move and spend your time if you wanted to lead your happiest life possible?

I now feel that I am at a place in my life where I am comfortable with both how I eat, and how I move. It has taken a lot of time and work to get to this point of balance in my own life, and though it came with some extra body fat, it was more than worth it.

~ Laura