Why health is so much more than just your weight!

March 30, 2022

Written By: Mairead, Registered Dietitian


Do you believe that your weight determines your health? So many people do! We get stuck thinking that if we just lose a bit more weight, all our health issues will be solved (never mind when we get stuck thinking that ALL problems will be solved).

Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. Weight itself isn't the best measure of our health. Your weight on the scale only tells us what your total mass is at that moment. This includes whatever you're wearing, the contents of your stomach and bowels, muscles, bones, and everything else making up your body. At best, this leaves us with an unreliable measurement - it will change if you go to the bathroom and measure again!

 

Furthermore, healthy people come in all shapes and sizes!


You can have unhealthy people in small bodies and healthy people in large bodies. It's also worth noting that not all weight loss is even promoting health - underfeeding your body significantly for any reason doesn't make you healthier, and actually makes you more likely to have gaps in your diet, leading to further health issues.

Here's what we could measure instead that might be more reliable and better markers of health:

Your blood work! If your doctor asks you to do blood work, this is a much better way to see what's actually going on with your body. Checking your blood sugars and cholesterol can be a much better marker of health. Bonus: if they are out of whack, we have nutrition recommendations that can help these, beyond just "lose weight". 

Your muscle mass! Another reason weight isn't a great measure is because people can weigh the same but have entirely different body compositions. While genetics do play a role in how much muscle your body will build and maintain, it can be a much better indicator of whether your habits are benefiting any goals of muscle gain or fat loss. 

Your habits! As a dietitian, your habits tell me so much more about your health than just the number on the scale. Do you eat your vegetables? Do your get enough protein? Do you drink enough water? Are there any big gaps we're overlooking. Just like your weight, we can measure these habits, but often these habits have more of an impact on your health than your weight itself does!

The bottom line: your health is made up of so many more aspects than just your weight! If you're looking to truly measure your health, let's focus on some of the other factors to help you truly be your happiest and healthiest self!

If you're looking to tackle your health and nutrition goals in a low-stress way, let's chat! Limited nutrition appointments are available each month. Not sure if this is the right option for you? Book a FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat to go over your goals and make sure this is the right fit. Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com for more info or click here to book your Nutrition Chat today!

The Importance of Showing Up For Yourself

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Sienna Showing up for yourself is so important but its often overlooked and dismissed. Showing up for yourself isn't some cheesey, made up statement. There is meaning behind it and science! Showing up for yourself is an empowering practice that can transform the way you live, love and lead! BUT what does showing up for yourself actually mean? And why does it matter so much? S howing up for yourself is... Not Selfish You matter and you are important! Treat yourself as if you were a loved one. It means honoring your own needs, values and well being to achieve overall wellness. This means being consistent in the way you treat yourself, not just when it's convenient to you! It is…. Keeping your word to yourself and keeping those promises Choosing rest to prevent burnout It means giving yourself grace and speaking kindly to yourself (Its your first time living!) Prioritizing growth even if its uncomfortable Creating boundaries and sticking with them Say No when something doesn't align with you or your beliefs I t's about treating you like you are worth caring for not only when you have “deserved it” but because you are worth that care, always! Why does all of this matter? It strengthens your relationship with yourself Prevents you for burning or crashing out Builds self confidence as well as trust in yourself Helps you stay balanced emotionally and physically The more time you spend getting to know yourself you learn and discover hobbies! You learn that YOU CAN DO IT and that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! You become more present for others! You are no longer pouring from an empty cup! What does this look like in real life? Drinking enough water even though you would rather skip it Going on a walk or doing meditation to have time for yourself to avoid crash out Keeping promises you said you would Letting go of perfection and simply doing the best that you can with what you've got S tart showing up for yourself today! Let yourself know that you've got you :) --- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

How To Make Your Workouts Stick

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Kelly I’ve been exercising since high school... I don’t want to age myself tooooo much ;) but that was quite sometime ago. I meet with people all the time who are looking to get started. They are looking to lose weight, tone up, feel better, happier, increase bone density, do something for them, for various reasons. I’m going to give you two of the most important things that you need to do to make your fitness stick, through al season nd all set backs. Write these down, memorize them, and repeat them over and over. You’ll always succeed. Forget about motivation Seriously, forget it. Motivation comes after you get started. It comes when you start to see results; it comes when your pants fit different; it comes when you’re not out of breath going up stairs; it comes when you are running down the soccer field with your kids; it comes when you are happier; it comes when you feel less anxious, less depressed; it comes after you get started. Remember your why Why are you wanting to get started? Why do you want to spend money and time at a gym? Are you willing to do this for months, if not years? When your schedule gets busy, or your kids get sick, why will you keep coming to classes or appointments? You just need to get started, and you need to clearly understand why you are starting in the first place. After that, you must stick with it. Even when y you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you want to give up. Everyone wants the quick fix. We will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on supplements that promise to help us lose weight, feel better, but honestly, nothing will compare to the eating some vegetables and getting in a structured workout with a Coach or at a gym 2 - 3 times per week. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard. Like, I really, really know it’s hard. But, as you’re reading this, look way down the road, like 1 year, then 3, then 5 years. How do you want to feel? As hard as it is to get started, it will be even harder if you don’t do anything. You deserve to invest in yourself. You deserve to feel good. You have got this and we believe in you - Let’s go! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

The Journey of Degree Fitness

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Kelly My gym ownership journey started in December of 2019. At the time I was managing the day to day Degree, coaching classes/appointments and running events/programs. The previous owner had some really exciting things coming up in her life that required big changes. One of them being handing over the keys to someone else. It was an immediate yes, and an absolute honour! Degree was originally founded as a place to workout with a group of like minded, amazing people. Using fitness as a vehicle for a better overall life (happier people, healthier people). I always believed int eh original mission, vision an values of Degree and they haven’t changed much over the years :) Fitness to me was a way to escape; I could move my body, stay strong and feel empowered when everything else around me felt like it was falling apart. I’ve continued to use fitness to improve my overall health and strength, and just like when I first started, to stay grounded when everything else feels shaky. Fitness to me, and at Degree, is more than muscles. It’s helping our clients have a safe space they can come, be themselves, and workout with their gym buddies. As they do this, the most amazing things happen, and it makes our hearts soar as you Coaches… We see you light up when you crush a hard workout, or do something you didn’t think you could do. When you share a bright spot and everyone in your class is genuinely happy and excited for you, too! When you start to realize, and believe , that you are whole heartedly capable of anything you put your mind to. That you are worth it; you always have been. Degree is the cornerstone of health and wellness, and we will always be here to help you, and our community live their happiest, and healthiest lives! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!