Living a healthy life is about so much more than being lean.
It is about nurturing our self and cultivating a strong mind and body. It’s about taking the time to slow down to reconnect with who you are.
The real YOU.
It took me a while to figure this out. There was a time when all I cared about was losing weight. And I set out to accomplish this goal armed with the latest and greatest diet and workout routines available.
But guess what? They didn’t work. It was either not enough weight loss, or I lost the weight only to find it crept it’s way back onto my body and brought along a few extra pounds. After a while, I realized that my habits were extremely unhealthy for my body and mind.
Since then, I’ve shifted my focus and I do my best to incorporate workouts, foods, and lifestyle habits that feel good for my body and mind. Everything I eat, think and do is part of my journey to live a healthy and happy life.
I’ve learned that sustainable health and happiness is not based on one thing. There are 5 factors that contribute to lifelong wellness and weight loss.
I like to call them The Five Pillars of Health.
We’ve all heard about 2 factors: diet and exercise. And many health gurus like to tell you that these are the MOST important things to change if you want to get healthy and lose weight.
Well, I’m about to shake up your world. Ready?
Diet and exercise are not everything.
I said it. And I will say it again. There are other factors that are just as important as diet and exercise.
Diet and exercise are extremely important － but they are only two pieces of the puzzle.
Take a look at the JenFit logo. What do you notice?
Maybe you’ve never paid much attention to it. Or perhaps you thought it was just a nice design (I’ll pass that credit along to my graphic designer!)
But my logo represents my philosophy. It represents what I’ve shared with you, and what I teach to my clients on a daily basis.
The Five Pillars of Health
My logo is formed by 5 smaller circles that individually represent a Pillar of Health. Those 5 Pillars are interconnected and form one larger circle, which is optimal health. The JenFit logo illustrates that each Pillar of Health is just as important as the other. Our ultimate goal should be to achieve a state of balance in each Pillar so that we can experience optimal health and greater happiness.
You already know that diet and exercise are part of the 5 Pillars. Are you ready to learn about the rest?
From the time we are just a baby, outside forces are constantly telling us how to think and act. Over time, these influences shape our mindset. You have the power to control your thoughts. Because ultimately, your thoughts create your reality. This little known fact can change the entire course of your wellness journey in a very positive way. Mindset work takes time and practice. It’s best to focus on making small changes towards your goal.
Nutrition is so much more than food you can and can’t eat. It is fueling your body with the raw materials it needs to thrive. It is not about starving or depriving yourself. Incorporating the Nutrition Pillar into your journey takes time. You’ll need to reevaluate your grocery shopping habits, kitchen supplies, and most likely spend some time educating yourself about what it really means to eat healthily.
People ask me all the time “what is the best form of exercise.” Ready for a secret? There is not a perfect exercise. Everyone is different! Our bodies are different. Our current fitness levels are different. So, it would make sense that our exercise needs are going to be different. What’s really important here is that you choose something you enjoy. Make sure it aligns with your current level of fitness and helps you make safe progress toward your goal.
This Pillar comprises our home and work environment, relationships, culture, sleep schedule, stress levels and so much more! Our everyday LIFE events matter more than much more than we realize. If we are able to slow down enough and pay closer attention to what we are saying, thinking and doing, it becomes more clear that each of these smaller pieces adds up and contributes to the overall state of our Lifestyle Pillar of Health.
Support is all about community and finding people who will lift you up so you can finally create the healthy and happy life you want. The Support Pillar of Health comprises the obvious choices like health coaches, personal trainers, health practitioners, etc. But what about the not so obvious? For example, supplements and herbs provide us with a form of support. Massage therapists offer support, comfort, and relaxation for the mind and body. Reiki practitioners provide support that helps us to release what is no longer serving us.
The 5 Pillars of Health + You
Throughout the last 40 years of my life I’ve encountered many struggles, yet somehow I was fortunate enough to channel all of the frustration and disappointment into something more powerful than I could have imagined － My passion and desire to connect with people all over the world.
Real people, just like you.
My goal as a health coach is to inspire you to become the best version of YOU. I want to share my knowledge and experience so you are no longer swayed by the empty promises of the latest diet, pill, or quick fix to better health and weight loss. I’d be honored to help guide you to a place where you are truly at peace with your life and filled with happiness from the inside out.
If you want to experience better health, the best advice I can give is to take action today and start building your foundation. One day, much sooner than you think, you will look back and realize just how far you’ve come. I know this is true because I did it － and I believe you can do it too!
Remember, this is a slow and steady process. Change is all about small victories. Be patient and mindful. Focus on each pillar. The more balance you have within each pillar, the closer you will move to your ultimate goal. Better health, happiness, and weight loss are in sight.
Please, feel free to reach out. I would love to connect. Personal training and coaching are just a few of the ways I can help support you on your journey.
