These days it seems like everybody is focused on getting healthier. My friends and family are a lot more conscious about the foods they eat and their fitness routines. You can hardly pick up a magazine without reading about diet, healthy foods and ways to prevent obesity. It's becoming a social trend to talk about a healthy lifestyle.

The way I see it, it's in everyone's best interest to be healthy. It gives you more energy to do all the things you love (if you don't love what you do, let's talk about it over in Earn!). And if we're unhealthy, it's not only us that have to suffer... it's our loved ones as well.

I'm surprised no-one said they were the healthiest person, but health and fit are two different things! The healthiest person I know is Richman.

Yes, the road to health is paved with blueberries and and sweet potatoes and green tea, but
we need to look at the big picture when defining what "healthy" really means. Truly being 'healthy' encompasses getting enough sleep, not being stressed out and having time to balance everything important in our lives (fitness, relationships, career, spiritualty & play.) Hmmm, those sound familiar to me for some reason. Maybe the road to true health starts with PeopleJam?

Earlier this year, Fortune Magazine reported that 42% of all fast food consumers grab burgers and fries 12 or more time each month. Sure, health and wellness still ranks among the top consumer concerns, but many of our bad eating habits are borne out of daily time constraints. While many of us are constantly on the run, we owe it to ourselves to take the time to put healthy foods in our bodies -- even if this means we must do a better job of planning.

I have a couple friends who are really healthy and i am envious of them but i don't understand how people know what is healthy and what is not. I mean i know the basics...avoid fried food, fatty foods etc. But when i order a sandwich can i get cheese on it? is that bad? Mayo or Mustard?
Carbs this and proteins that....can someone help me sort out please????? I just need an easy to understand crib sheet. thanks!!

I'd have to pick different people for spiritual, emotional and physical health. But it's great to know that there are opportunities out there for improving our own health in each of these areas.

Cheesecake Factory is def the way to go! Spinach dip is not only a daily source of your veggies, but the cheese is a really good protein! There's a crib sheet for ya cbjam!

I am always striving to be healthy, but sometimes I feel like our culture is working against me. It's so easy to get caught up in the fast-food and processed food cycle and it's hard to take the time to prepare fresh meals and exercise.

But, the more people I talk to about healthy living, the more inspired I am to make the time.

No, seriously...I DO love spinach dip and COULD in fact eat it EVERY day, but that (like anything else) would be a problem.
If you work out, eat well most of the time - like 70% - I say enjoy yourself 30% of the time.

But to be truly healthy takes a commitment. Moms have a tough time finding the balance because you are shopping for more than just yourself. However, I have found that by starting my son at an early age eating healthy foods - organic, low in sugar - etc., that he asks for these things now.
My mother instilled this in me growing up. She, bar FAR, is the healthiest person I know.

When I stop to think what's most important in life, being healthy and having my loved ones be healthy always ranks number one because without it, it is difficult to function and enjoy most aspects of life. But like many others, i suspect, I sometimes find my behaviors (eating junk food, not getting enough sleep, letting stress get the best of me without an outlet) contrasting greatly with this premise. It's so easy in the hustle bustle of our daily lives to behave in the interest of the short-term, but I am beginning to be more mindful about how small lifestyle choices and actions add up to the big picture of my health, well-being and overall quality of life.

I think of health rating as a barometer for a number of aspects of people's lives. For me, those who have struck a balance in all (or most) aspects are the healthiest people I know. Just as most wouldn't consider a workaholic to be healthy, I don't consider a workout-aholic to be healthy either.

It's called the zig/zag method. I zig (healthy) for 5 days of the week and leave myself the option to zag (indulge a bit) the other 2 days of the week. *Note indulge for me is rarely to go crazy* It might be drinks or eating something that tastes amazing, yet isn’t so good for me. The cool thing is you can give yourself permission and reward yourself at the same time. Play with it to find your sweet spot. I picked this gem up in Unleash The Power Within training.

From a physical standpoint, Chris Sands. The guy has an amazing work out and fuel discipline--rock hard and all natural. You can catch him in yoga, core training, running a marathon, playing tennis or in the gym. He's definitely one to model.

My step-mother is over 60, wins almost every race she runs, takes nourishing breaks everyday, eats better than 98% of the people I know, looks great and meditates regularly. Another sign is that when I'm around her I feel like I have more energy!

As I read these I see we each have our own defintion of health.

As a 20 year cancer survivor I have redefined health many times over. Now as a Integrative Health Coach and Consultant I see it as having multiple pieces - my body, my heart, my thoughts and my soul. It feels essential to check in with each level or sheath of my being to determine how HEALTHY I really feel.

And that changes with each day and varies with each person. It is almost impossible to define and at the same time interesting to explore.