Most people think of health as a noun—something you either have or don’t. But what if health isn’t something you own, but something you do?
For me, this realization came as a teenager. After being diagnosed with cancer, my world suddenly felt out of control—doctors’ appointments, treatments, uncertainty. I was very scared and confused and I just wanted to be normal. I made one decision that changed everything, that put power back in my hands: I would be as healthy as possible, no matter what. I was not considered “unhealthy” but I felt that I could take control of the things within my body that I could potentially control. Looking back at that difficult time, I believe I was depressed and lost….fitness was my release The shift came about very organically, I just recall making it a priority , part of my routine and it felt very empowering to me.
That decision didn’t start with a scale or a weight-loss goal. It started with movement. I laced up my sneakers and began running. I found joy in dance exercise classes that made me sweat, laugh, and feel alive. Exercise made me feel strong, something that still holds true today. At the same time, I started eating healthier foods, noticing how they gave me more energy and strength.
These weren’t fads or quick fixes. They were my way of taking back some control in a situation where so much felt uncontrollable. And without realizing it, I was turning health into a verb. I was healthing. This experience led me to where I am in my career today and helping others enjoy that same feeling!
Health in Action
Healthing is about the choices we make daily, not the finish line we’re trying to reach.
- When I ran or danced, I wasn’t punishing my body—I was celebrating what it could do.
- When I ate whole foods, I was fueling healing and energy.
- When I rested, I gave my body the space to recover.
- When I connected with others, I built resilience beyond just the physical.
These simple actions became the foundation for my life’s work. They led me into teaching fitness, becoming a health coach, and guiding others to see health as something within reach every single day.
Why This Mindset Matters
When we treat health like a destination, it’s easy to feel defeated when life gets messy—a stressful season, an injury, or a setback. It is very easy to “throw in the towel” when one curveball comes our way. But when we treat health like a verb, we realize it’s a practice and balance. We can return to it anytime. One healthy meal, one workout, one mindful pause is an act of healthing. I help my clients with this approach, and IT WORKS! Find one or two healthy things to stay motivated and “in control” it could be as simple as getting a good night’s sleep, or drinking water throughout the day – it’s the little things that keep us “in it” and closer to our goals. Vacations, for example are awesome for stress reduction and should be celebrated and taken with joy, not punishment or negativity when you get back to your routine. Look at life’s experiences as positives and part of life that we all experience.
Making Healthing Common Sense
The beauty of healthing is that it feels natural, not forced. It doesn’t have to mean restriction, punishment, or chasing perfection. It can be as simple as:
- Taking a walk instead of scrolling on your phone.
- Drinking water before your next coffee.
- Saying no when your body needs rest.
- Breathing deeply before reacting.
- Adding in more fiber to your meals
- Trying new fruits and vegetables
These are small choices, but stacked together, they create lasting well-being.
The Takeaway
Health isn’t a thing you arrive at and hold onto—it’s a way of living, a verb you practice daily. Back when I was a teen facing something far bigger than me, I learned that I could health my way forward—through running, dancing, lifting weights, nourishing food, and intentional choices.
Decades later, that mindset still guides me and shapes the work I do with others.
👉 My message for you: Don’t wait for the perfect time, the perfect plan, or the perfect body to start. Health isn’t about being flawless—it’s about taking action, right where you are, with what you have. Every choice is a chance to health.
So today, don’t just aim to be healthy. Go out there and health.
✨ If this message resonates with you:
- 🎥 Check out my YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@christinasetaro8634 for workouts, tips, and motivation—and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss new videos.
- 💬 Want more support? Reach out to me directly to work together one-on-one. I’d love to help you on your journey to health your way forward. Email me christina@fitwithchristina.com or reach out on socials.