HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE

So, what exactly IS Health at Every Size?

And what does it mean for busy moms?

It’s a lifestyle that encourages healthy eating and enjoyable physical movement as an alternative to “dieting” in order to feel better and live longer. In fact, it could be considered the opposition to the dieting culture which calls for food restrictions, counting calories or macros, eating less, exercising more.

HAES focuses on moving in ways you find enjoyable while also “challenging” yourself – meaning if you can only do 5 minutes of moderate walking, then only do 5 minutes of walking, but tomorrow try for 6 minutes. Or dancing around your living room for a couple of songs before you get tired, and then trying for 3 songs the next time.

It also focuses on changing HOW you eat, not only WHAT you eat – meaning that you make healthier food choices (an apple with nut butter over a cookie), but you also listen to your body’s hunger cues (are you actually HUNGRY or just bored?). You only eat until 80% full, not stuffed, which requires SLOWING DOWN when you eat to really tell when you’re feeling full.

You have to actually TUNE IN to your eating pattern, as opposed to doing what busy moms have to do most of the time, and shoving food in your face because you have 20 minutes before you have to be out the door for your kid’s soccer game.

The third important aspect of HAES is to be accepting and comfortable in your body – no matter what size you are. Stop focusing on the number on your scale and start focusing on other important health markers; blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, movement in your joints, digestive health, etc. You can be in the “overweight” category and still have excellent health markers, or you can be thin as a rail and have high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels, or stiffness and pain in your joints.

There are multiple studies that support the HAES movement and say that it is one of the most effective ways to improve overall health, wellness, nutrition, and longevity.

There are also multiple studies that indicate focusing on weight loss can ALSO improve important health markers which leads to better overall health/wellness/nutrition/longevity….

So WHO IS RIGHT?

The short – and LONG – answer is BOTH.

The short part of that answer is IT DEPENDS. Not very helpful, right?

The long part (and I will try to keep it as brief as possible) is that how your body responds depends on a LOT of different factors that include genetics, personality, social influences, etc.

HAES takes what I would PERSONALLY call a more holistic approach – mind, body, spirit. Looking at internal cues. Paying VERY CLOSE attention to how your body moves and feels while you’re moving. Just how full you are, and again, paying VERY CLOSE attention to when you’re feeling satisfied, but not STUFFED. Working on mindset, healthy choices and compromises, moving with joy.

The focus of HAES is living in a healthier, happier way, ignoring the scale and stop "dieting", and the healthy results will naturally follow.

Other weight loss methods can require structure, schedules, restrictions, set plans/rules/instructions. 

Some people need that very much! 

They need to know exactly what they are eating when they get up in the morning. They need to know exactly how many reps of certain exercises they need to do, or a set amount of time for cardio (30 min, 45 min, 60 min, etc.). And that is how they THRIVE! They do incredibly well with schedules, routines, and structure.

They would rather follow a meal plan than eat intuitively. Maybe they NEED to cut out sugar altogether because they know if it’s in their house, they aren’t going to stop eating until it’s gone.

The bottom line is that neither approach – HAES or Traditional Weight Loss options – is specifically right or wrong. It comes down to each individual.

If you have gone the traditional route and it has not worked, maybe it’s time to try a less structured approach like HAES – eat intuitively, find healthy options you like, move in ways that feel good.

Or maybe you need to add MORE structure to your health habits in order to stick with them.

As a busy mom with a chaotic schedule, only you can know for certain what is going to work best for you.

That’s also a reason why working with a health/wellness/nutrition coach may be a good option for you. Having someone to guide you through your journey and help you create the healthiest habits that work with your lifestyle and your way of eating/moving.

Book a FREE Consultation Call to find out more about how Health and Nutrition Coaching can help you reach your wellness goals.