What Healthy Really Means (and Doesn’t)
By Afi Okon, MPA, Solutions-Provider focused on wellness and community empowerment. Creator of Let’s Make Healthy, Our New Happy Campaign and Founder, American Obesity Foundation
So, let’s define it — what does "healthy" really mean? It’s not a number on the scale. It’s not a diet plan. And it’s sure not what you see on social media.
Healthy simply, means your family has the energy to live, love, and grow. It means your meals nourish more than your bodies — they bring you together. It means you move your bodies not to punish them, but to celebrate what they can do.
In this campaign, healthy means:
Feeding your family with love and intention
Finding joy in movement
Creating moments of calm, connection, and care
Building habits that support long-term well-being
Choosing a Culture of Healthy Living
Healthy doesn’t mean:
Being perfect or rigid
Cutting out entire food groups unless necessary
Comparing yourself to others
Sacrificing joy for the sake of control
Published Author in Her Family
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To see our exclusive interview with Dr. Donald Tap here.
At the end of this information, take time to reflect. What does healthy mean to you? What do you want it to mean for your family? Jot it down. Revisit it often. That’s your north star on this journey.
Healthy (Holistic Definition): Being healthy means living in a state of balance where your body, mind, emotions, spirit, relationships, and environment all support your well-being. It’s not just the absence of illness, but the presence of vitality, peace, purpose and connection.
A holistic view of health includes:
Physical Health – Nourishing the body with whole foods, movement, rest and preventative care.
Emotional Health – Cultivating resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to express and process feelings.
Mental Health – Maintaining clarity, focus, curiosity, and a sense of calm in thought patterns.
Spiritual Health – Feeling connected to something greater than yourself – whether faith, nature, or inner wisdom.
Social Health – Building supportive, loving, and respectful relationships with family, friends and community.
Environmental Health – Living in harmony with your surroundings and making choices that sustain both your body and the planet.
Purpose & Fulfillment – Engaging in meaningful work, passions, and practices that bring joy and align with your values.
In short: Healthy is wholeness – when, how we eat, move, think, and connect that makes us feel alive and happy.
Top 5 Health Myths – Busted!
Myth 1: You need to be skinny to be healthy.
Truth: Health isn’t a clothing size - it’s about strength, energy, balance and how you feel inside and out. People can thrive in many different body shapes. What matters most is nourishing your body, moving in ways you enjoy, and building habits that support long-term wellbeing.
Myth 2: Healthy food is expensive.
Truth: While some specialty items cost more, everyday healthy choices can be affordable. For example, beans, lentils, oats, frozen veggies, seasonal fruits, and even water are budget-friendly staples. Meal planning, cooking at home, and using what is in season can stretch dollars and improve nutrition.
Remember: “Healthy eating doesn’t have to break the bank – simple, smart choices add up.”
Myth 3: Exercise means going to the gym.
Truth: Movement can happen anywhere – walking, taking the stairs, dancing, playing with kids, cleaning, gardening, or stretching at home all count.
Remember: Move in ways that make you smile – every step matters.
Myth 4: Healthy habits are all-or-nothing.
Truth: You don’t need perfection. Small, steady steps add up over time. Drinking more water, swapping soda for fruit, journaling or adding 10 minutes of walking daily makes a BIG difference.
Remember: “Progress, not perfection, is what creates lasing health.”
Myth 5: Being healthy is boring.
Truth: Healthy living is full of flavor, fun and freedom – trying new recipes, enjoying active hobbies, and spending quality time with loved ones.
Remember: “Healthy is happy – it's about living more, not less.”
Core Values of Let’s Make Healthy Our New Happy Campaign (LMHONH)
Joy: Health should feel good. We celebrate the simple pleasures - flavorful foods, fun, movement, laughter, and moments that bring happiness.
Connection: Wellness grows stronger when we do it together. We nurture relationships with family, friends, and community, knowing that support and love make healthy living easier and more meaningful.
Balance: True health means harmony – nourishing the body, resting the mind, caring for emotions, and honoring the spirit. Balance creates sustainability and peace.
Progress over Perfection: Small steps matter. We focus on steady growth, not impossible standards. Every positive choice, no matter how small, is a win worth celebrating
Remember: Together, these values remind us that healthy isn’t just a goal – it's a joyful, connected, balanced way of living that grows stronger with progress.
Section 3: Mini Reflection Exercise
Your Healthy Journal
Take a moment to make it personal:
What does “healthy” mean to me?
One small step I can take this week toward my healthy happy life is:
There’s no perfect answer – every step forward is progress worth celebrating!
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