Is "healthy" always healthy?

Right now, I'm taking two women's studies classes, and really enjoying learning so many things. It's interesting, though, how much we already know but have not attempted to change because it has become the norm for us. I sometimes find myself feeling sad or discouraged in my classes, but there are even more instances where I feel motivated to help create change.

Thomas Jefferson said it wonderfully:

Every generation needs a new revolution.

So, with that as my preface, I'd like to talk about something that we discussed yesterday in my psychology of women class.  The reason I feel so inclined to talk about these things is because it is so extremely important to remember that while many of us are working hard to change our lives and create healthier bodies and minds, there are those among us who believe they are being "healthy", but, in fact, crossed that line long ago and are nearing a dangerous zone.

There was an experiment done with 6-year old girls and the majority of them answered that they would rather be dead than fat.

95% of those suffering from anorexia nervosa are women, and 5-10% will die of anorexia.

Individuals with a binge-eating disorder have at least 2 episodes per week for at least 6 weeks of uncontrollable binge-eating.

At any given time, roughly 40% of women in the United States are dieting. Yo-yo dieting can have severe repercussions and can sometimes affect one's body more negatively than if he/she had never dieted in the first place.

Now, don't get me wrong - I am ALL FOR a healthy lifestyle. But this can be different for different people. Some need to exercise more often or more intensely, while others may be set just by taking walks a few times every week. There are those of us who have a much faster metabolism than others (I am definitely not in that group :/), so they may have an easier time with things when it comes to food and nutrition. We are all different and that's so important to keep in mind.

I want to always have a good life filled with exercise and great eating habits, and to do this, I must constantly remember how fine the line is between thinking we are healthy, and actually BEING HEALTHY. There are the over-eaters, under-eaters, over-exercisers, bingers, purgers, and everything in between, and to say they are unhealthy is an understatement. I just wanted to bring this to light because, while we are all on our own paths to becoming our best selves, being aware of what is going on in our society is so, so important.

I'll end with one of many prominent Buddha quotes:

To keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. 

/R. Angelina