HEALTH

Undergoing a new diet or exercise routine can be stressful. It's hard to tell whether or not you're healthier than before—especially if you look to the scale for answers. As humans, our weight is always fluctuating depending on how our body is processing nutrients and whether or not we're building muscle. When it comes down to self-confidence, how you feel is *always* more important than how you look. In this article we'll talk all about what it means to be healthy and how to maintain good habits.

Use positive language. The word "diet" is scary for a lot of people as it tends to have a negative connotation. A diet is a restriction on what you eat and how much of it, usually to reduce weight or improve health. An easy way to trick your mind into *wanting* to eat healthy: Don't think of it as a diet. Focus on eating things that are good for you, and maintain a healthy balance. It's okay to eat cake, pizza or chips every once in a while—and there's no reason to feel guilty about it. Instead of punishing yourself for grabbing a donut, give yourself a pat on the back next time you order a salad. 

Focus on your health. Physical, mental and emotional health are affected by how we eat, how active we are and how we view ourselves. You don't have to go for a run every day to be healthy—something as simple as an after dinner walk or nightly yoga is a great way to stay in shape. Find an activity that you enjoy to turn workout time into something you look forward to.

Don't let your good habits be temporary. If you have a hard time seeing changes in your health, start a daily journal. Rate your mood, energy level, motivation and productivity on a scale of one to five. See which foods and activities help you do better and make a note to add them to your routine. Personal health is all about what works for you, so spend time figuring out what your body responds to. 

Appreciate your body. Each body is different, and it's important to appreciate the things that make your body unique. Whether you're the spitting image of your mother or the odd one out in the family, each part of you is beautiful. Take time to notice your favorite things about yourself and do your best to shrug off insecurities. It can be tough, but appreciating your flaws takes you one step closer to feeling unstoppable.

What do you do to stay healthy? Let us know what you do to be body positive in the comments! 

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by Julia Bonney | 5/24/2017