I often have clients and friends who want to know what they can do to: have better abs, tone their arms, lose weight, get rid of love handles…I could go on. Yet I rarely have anyone come to me wanting to run faster, sleep better, or think more clearly.
There are a lot of things that get us off the couch. Let’s be honest, there are times in life when we’re more likely to get to the gym than others. For starters, there’s the scale, and when we don’t like what we see in the mirror. There’s the start of a new year, an event like a wedding or reunion where we want to look better, on Mondays, right before summer or that beach vacation. None of these are bad, and they all provide incentive to get moving, but these types of motivation have nothing lasting to offer. These are probably not the things that are going to provide long-term results. Many of them come and go – and they often leave of us more frustrated or ashamed that we didn’t get the results we wanted.
We all know the health benefits of exercise: it can improve your mood, it keeps your brain active, it makes you feel better and sleep better, it keeps your body fit and able… there’s so much. Yet we look to the scale for validation. We look to the mirror for affirmation. I do it all the time. Maybe you can relate. Sure, they have their place, but…
The scale is not an accurate representation of your health. It can’t measure your growth, your attitude, your worth. It can’t measure your work ethic or your courage; your grit or your determination.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “complete physical, mental and social well-being.”
I love this. It’s a combination of a physical, mental and social well-being. All too often our definition of health is based on how we look. And let’s be honest, in Park City most people “look” healthy. They might be unable to get a good night’s sleep, and they might struggle emotionally, but man! They look good in those skinny jeans!
Listen! I’m right there! I want to look good in my skinny jeans, but it can’t be an indication of my overall health. How our bodies look is just ONE piece of this puzzle – and in my opinion, it’s not the most important one.
I love that there are no side-by-side Before and Afters on our Beau Collective Instagram feed. There’s no one in a sports bra selfie touting their weight loss numbers. If that’s your thing, then great. But you won’t find those here. This is about more than how you look in a sports bra. This is about how you feel! This is about your relationships! This is about how you no longer have to take that blood pressure medicine. It’s about how you’re sleeping better for the first time in years. You’re more patient with your kids. You feel better! This is about life changes and better relationships! We have dozens of Before and Afters, and we share them around the table in the social room - day after day and week after week.
Remember, your health is a “complete physical, mental and social well-being.” It’s like this perfect trifecta of our bodies, minds, and relationships. I think about what we have to offer at BeauCo, how it’s not just about the workout. The community and the social aspect we cultivate are just as important to your health as the sprints and the squats.