We all know the popular mantra for losing weight and looking better. Diet and exercise, eat less and move more. But what if there was a different way? What if we focused our energy on gaining health instead of losing weight? Could that be the key to achieving our fitness goals and feeling better about ourselves? Let’s examine how focusing on health can help you reach your goals. 

I’d rather focus on health. Not weight. Only focusing on the scale can lead to disordered eating; It’s pejorative. It doesn’t include cultural and racial differences in health and beauty. In my practice, we have thin, unhealthy patients and large-bodied robust patients. 

The Benefits of Gaining Health Instead of Losing Weight

When we focus solely on cutting calories and exercising more, we may miss out on the other aspects of well-being that are important for overall health. That’s why focusing on gaining health is crucial instead of simply trying to lose weight. Here are some advantages of this approach:

Eating Healthy Food – One benefit of focusing on gaining health instead of losing weight is that it encourages you to make better food choices. Instead of counting calories or obsessing over what you should or shouldn’t be eating, you can focus on adding healthy foods into your diet, like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains, while limiting unhealthy processed foods as much as possible. Making these changes can have a positive impact on your overall health in addition to helping you achieve your fitness goals. This isn’t rocket science. It’s simply common sense. 

 Developing Healthy Habits – Another advantage of focusing on gaining health is the emphasis it places on developing healthy habits instead of just cutting calories or exercising more. Getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and managing stress is essential for overall well-being and should be part of any successful journey toward better health. All these habits help to reduce cortisol levels, which have been proven to increase abdominal fat. By making healthy habits a priority, you will set yourself up for success in the long run by creating a lifestyle that supports good health rather than just trying to lose weight quickly without taking into account all the other factors that contribute to physical and mental well-being.

Finally, focusing on gaining health can also help improve your self-esteem by allowing you to see yourself not only as someone who wants to lose weight but also as someone who is committed to taking care of their body and mind to become the best version of themselves possible. This shift in mindset can have a powerful impact not only on how you view yourself but also on how others perceive you, which can lead to improved relationships with those around you, which can ultimately lead to improved physical and emotional well-being overall!

Where does Chinese Medicine Come in? 

Chinese medicine has been around for centuries as a holistic practice to help with so many ailments. While it is not a miracle cure, it can effectively help you lose weight and reach your fitness goals. Let’s explore how Chinese medicine can support your journey

What Is Chinese Medicine? 

Chinese medicine is based on the belief that health is determined by the balance between the body’s Yin and Yang energies. These two aspects of ourselves must be kept in balance for optimal health. Chinese practitioners use a combination of herbs, and acupuncture to achieve this balance to restore equilibrium within the body’s systems. 

How Can It Help You Lose Weight? 

Chinese medicine can support your weight loss journey by addressing underlying issues such as stress, hormonal imbalances, or poor digestion, which can all contribute to weight gain. Acupuncture has been used to reduce cravings, while herbal formulas are often recommended to stimulate digestion and improve nutrient absorption. Overeating, eating and drinking excessive cold and icy foods diminish and prevent our digestion from working robustly. Acupuncture and herbs help the metabolism be dynamic and effective. 

Additionally, we’ll probably suggest dietary changes such as reducing sugar or increasing fibre. By focusing on these areas, Chinese medicine can help create a healthier lifestyle, leading to better long-term weight management results. 

How Does It Work? 

While there is no scientific proof that Chinese medicine can effectively aid in weight loss, our patients find that it helps them feel more energized and focused to stay true to their diet and exercise goals. There is also evidence that acupuncture may reduce stress hormones in the body, which could result in fewer cravings for unhealthy foods. Excess stress hormones- cortisol in particular- can result in abdominal fat accumulation.

Chinese medicine offers a holistic approach to wellness that could aid in your weight loss efforts. From restoring balance through acupuncture treatments to increasing nutrient absorption with herbal teas, there are many ways that Chinese medicine might help you reach your desired fitness goals safely and sustainably over time! Whether you decide to give it a try or not is completely up to you – but we hope this overview gives you some insight into how this ancient practice could benefit your well-being today!

Ultimately, whether or not you choose to focus on losing weight or gaining health should be up to you. Both approaches have their own benefits, so it’s important that whatever path you choose works best for your body type, lifestyle preferences, and individual goals! Ultimately though, no matter which route you decide, I’m here to bring out the best version of yourself!  Taking a holistic approach to health (including Chinese medicine) can help you improve your overall well-being, manage your weight more effectively, and build stronger relationships with those around you, which can ultimately lead to improved physical and emotional well-being overall! 

Good luck on your journey!  

Cathy