The difference between 'common' and 'normal' when it comes to your health
If you have followed me for a while, you would know I am ALL ABOUT normalising things that are real and healthy. Things like bloating, stretch marks, cellulite etc, are all things that I encourage my community to embrace and love. After all, these things are healthy and normal! However, when it comes to our health and fitness, there is a big difference between what is normal, and what is common. Just because something is common, or widely accepted, does not make it necessarily healthy.
So, what exactly is the difference? Here is a list of commonly accepted things that aren’t actually normal, compared with more normal, healthy things. If you are experiencing some or all of the things on the right column, then I definitely suggest reaching out to a trusted friend or family member for help, or consulting a medical professional.
|
Normal and healthy |
Common, but not normal |
|
Some minor bloating after eating |
Painful and severe bloating |
|
Slightly irregular periods |
Missing periods or amenorrhea |
|
Mild period pain |
Severe or debilitating period pain |
|
Moderate daily weight fluctuations |
Very large or rapid decreases or increases in scale weight |
|
Tacking your food intake |
Becoming obsessive around your food and having to track everything to the gram |
|
Training with intensity, but taking rest days |
Pushing yourself extremely hard in the gym and never taking a rest day |
|
Eating in a moderate calorie deficit for fat loss |
Severe restriction and undereating in order to achieve fat loss |
Remember gf, just because something is ‘common’ does not make it normal. If you are struggling with something, but you’ve brushed it off because you think it’s normal, please know that it’s okay to reach out for help. Don’t be afraid to consult a medical professional, and seek a second (or third) opinion if you are unhappy with their advice.
Soph xx