Are You Fit Enough To Be Healthy?
Maintaining a good level of physical fitness is something that we should all aspire to do. Nonetheless, it can be difficult to determine what fitness entails.
I think everyone has their own idea of what being “physically fit” or “healthy” is. I bet if you asked ten different people to give you a definition, you would get ten very different answers.
Have you ever wondered if you are physically fit? Have you ever asked someone you know if they consider you to be healthy? Just because someone looks fit doesn’t
necessarily mean that they are. For all you know they may not even be able to run down to the mailbox and back! On the contrary, someone who looks unhealthy and appears to be overweight and out of shape could actually be in better physical condition than you! Yes, it’s true. Interesting, isn’t it.
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, physical fitness is defined as “a set of attributes that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity.” This description goes well beyond being able to run fast or lift heavy weights. Despite being important, these attributes only address single areas of fitness.
A good working definition of physical fitness would be your physical abilities, general health, and resistance to illness or injury. Do you feel that you meet all of these criteria? At the moment you may not feel like you do. It’s been a rough cold and flu season for us Central New Yorkers!
Health Benefits That Can Last a Lifetime
Did you know that consistent exercise can truly have life-changing effects? Longevity, health and physical fitness are more closely associated than you may realize. Years and years of medical and health research have compared the habits of both healthy and unhealthy people. The studies found that those who have made exercise a part of their everyday life are the people who successfully avoided obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other health related conditions. Research has also proven that active people generally enjoy a better quality of life, live longer and have lower health care expenses than their sedentary counterparts.
How do you tell if someone is physically fit?
Being physically fit depends on how well a person fulfills each of the components of being healthful. When it comes to fitness, these components include cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, and flexibility. How well do you perform in each component?
Why is it worth your time and effort?
Just as it’s hard to put a value on your time, it’s also hard to
overstate the benefits of physical fitness. Your well-being affects nearly every part of your life. It has an impact on the decisions you will make, the activities you will do and even the relationships you will have.
Here are just a few benefits of regular physical activity:
• Lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol)
• Improved confidence
• Increased life expectancy
• Lower health care expenses
• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and many other health related conditions
• Increased muscular strength
• Improved bone and joint health
• Improved flexibility
• Increased energy
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower body fat percentage
• Reduced anxiety and depression
• Improved sleep
• Improved weight management
• Improved coordination
• Improved endurance
• Improved quality of life
• Feel better now
I have to elaborate a little on the last bullet point “feel better now.” Did you know that there are immediate benefits to exercise? During your workouts, increased blood flow warms up your muscles and joints, which helps to relieve the stress and tension in your body. More oxygen to your brain helps you feel more alert, and of course, you are
burning extra calories!
Too Much Down Time
I’m sure most of you have heard the phrase sitting is the new smoking. At the end of the day, many of us find ourselves slumped over on the couch watching television. Spending too much time sitting in front of the TV is bad for the body (especially the heart), even if you are exercising on a daily basis. How many hours a night do you spend in front of the TV? Yes, video games count. Scientists have suggested that limiting TV time to less than two hours a day could add almost a year and a half to our life
expectancy. Unfortunately, most of us spend more than two hours a day in front of the box.
In Conclusion:
In general, fitness means different things to different people. The important take home message is that embarking on any regular exercise program will be a big benefit to your health.
It’s simply too risky to be out of shape! It’s worth your time and effort to be more active. Good health and physical fitness can truly make a big difference in your life now and in the long-term.
We as individuals hold the greatest responsibility for our own health. Whatever the most important reasons to exercise are for you (improved fitness, better health, an upcoming wedding, a vacation or personal satisfaction), use them to stay inspired and motivated! That way you can enjoy all the benefits of a better quality of life and significantly lower health risks.
The reasons to exercise and maintain a healthy diet go far beyond a trim waistline and a perky butt. Your daily well-being, long term health, and even your life span depend in part on how well you take care of YOU.
So take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live! Good luck to you.
I have been a personal trainer for over seventeen years and I absolutely love what I do. I honestly feel that I have one of the best jobs out there! The most rewarding part of my profession is helping one of my clients succeed at reaching their personal fitness goals. Making a difference in someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. I am currently certified by the National Sports Conditioning Association, Apex Fitness Group, and the International Sports Science Association.
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