221: Redefining Health - Beyond the Scale

Health is so much more than a number on the scale or the results of a routine blood test. In this episode, Justin and Janell dive into what it truly means to be healthy and why your definition of health might need a refresh. From understanding the signals your body sends you to focusing on vibrant living instead of just disease prevention, this conversation will challenge the traditional markers of health and inspire you to look deeper.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Rethinking the Scale: Why your weight is only one (often misleading) piece of the health puzzle.
• Beyond Basic Blood Work: How standard tests might not tell the whole story and what additional markers to consider.
• The Role of Symptoms: Why headaches, fatigue, bloating, and other symptoms are your body’s way of asking for attention—not just problems to fix.
• Defining Health for Yourself: From energy levels to functional strength, discover new ways to measure your well-being.
• The Importance of Functional Testing: Why hormone and gut health testing can provide invaluable insights for your health journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. Symptoms Are Clues, Not Problems: Your body’s symptoms—like insomnia, joint pain, or skin issues—are its way of communicating with you. Instead of masking them, ask: What is my body trying to tell me?
2. Functional Testing Gives the Full Picture: Traditional tests focus on disease prevention, but functional testing looks at optimal health and catching issues before they develop.
3. Focus on How You Feel: Health isn’t just about being disease-free; it’s about feeling vibrant, energized, and capable in your daily life.
4. Strength is a Marker of Health: Whether it’s carrying groceries, shoveling snow, or lifting weights, maintaining functional strength is crucial for long-term vitality.
5. Redefine Your Priorities: Ask yourself: Is my goal to look a certain way or to feel my best? Often, health begins with the latter and the former follows naturally.

Justin & Janell’s Health Markers:

• Immune Function: How often are you getting sick?
• Energy Levels: Are you waking up energized and sustaining it throughout the day?
• Sleep Quality: Can you fall asleep easily, stay asleep, and wake up feeling rested?
• Skin Health: Your skin is a window into your gut health and overall well-being.
• Digestion: Are you experiencing regular bowel movements without discomfort, bloating, or heartburn?
• Mental Health: Are you finding joy, managing stress, and feeling like your best self?
• Physical Functionality: Can you easily perform daily activities like carrying groceries or getting up from the floor?

Practical Steps to Redefine Health:

1. Shift Your Perspective: Stop letting the scale define your self-worth or health. Focus on actionable markers like energy, sleep, and digestion.
2. Pay Attention to Your Body: Treat symptoms as signals, not annoyances. They’re your body’s way of guiding you toward better health.
3. Explore Functional Testing: Look into hormone and gut health testing to uncover deeper insights that standard tests can’t provide.
4. Set Functional Goals: Focus on building strength, improving energy, and optimizing your day-to-day functionality.
5. Ask for Help: Reach out to Janell or a trusted functional health professional to explore personalized approaches to your health.

Final Thought: Redefining health is about more than avoiding disease. It’s about living vibrantly, feeling strong and energetic, and showing up as the best version of yourself. When you focus on these deeper markers, the weight, aesthetics, and other results often fall into place naturally.

If this episode resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with someone who needs a new perspective on health! And remember: Health is about thriving, not just surviving. 💪✨

Connect with Justin & Janell on Instagram:

@justin.yule

@janell.yule