| When you think of fitness, you may be | | | | digestion, provide strength and endurance, |
| thinking of well-toned bodies, rock-hard abs | | | | and does wonders for the heart. |
| and generally, just a fit and outstanding | | | | |
| physique. What if I told you that in order to | | | | On the flip side, it is important to be aware |
| be truly fit and feel great you dont need to | | | | of the fact that a bad diet can affect your |
| be a body builder? | | | | fitness training, even if you follow the best |
| | | | type of exercise plan available! In order to |
| Fitness is more than exercise. If you think | | | | stay as healthy as possible, you need to |
| exercise and weight control are all there is | | | | combine a healthy diet with a lot of |
| to fitness, you may be surprised! Fitness is | | | | exercise! |
| a lifelong pursuit, not a short term goal. | | | | |
| "Physical fitness is defined as "a set of | | | | The average person needs at least twenty |
| attributes that people have or achieve that | | | | minutes of exercise three times a week. This |
| relates to the ability to perform physical | | | | is not hard for most people to attain even |
| activity" (USDHHS, 1996). | | | | if youre not used to any kind of fitness |
| | | | training. It will help to strengthen your |
| In fact, physical fitness is made up of five | | | | cardiovascular health and your overall |
| main components: cardio-respiratory | | | | fitness. Regardless of what sort of physical |
| endurance, muscular strength, muscular | | | | activity you choose, you should burn about |
| endurance, body composition and flexibility. | | | | 3500 calories per week. You will soon start |
| | | | feeling the benefits! |
| An interesting quote I came across is this: | | | | |
| "The biggest obstacle people face in | | | | When you start any type fitness plan it is |
| achieving physical and financial fitness is | | | | recommended that you talkto your doctor about |
| developing consistent and long-term healthy | | | | it first. He may work out a specific exercise |
| habits." This came from Countrywide Bank | | | | plan with you that is best suited for your |
| Managing Director, Pierre Habis. | | | | particular physical needs. Be sure to discuss |
| Interestingly, it points up the fact that | | | | with your doctor any special health concerns |
| anything worth achieving should become a | | | | like blood pressure, hypertension and any |
| mindset based on a long term goal. Add | | | | special diet needs that you may have. |
| anything that is worth while achieving to | | | | |
| your regular life routine. | | | | It just cannot be stressed enough how the |
| | | | combination of a healthy diet and exercise |
| In general, physical fitness is the ability | | | | plan will do wonders for your overall well |
| to do daily activities without feeling overly | | | | being. It will make you feel good mentally, |
| tired. Physical fitness is especially | | | | emotionally, as well as physically! |
| beneficial in preventing coronary heart | | | | |
| disease and cardiovascular disease, enhancing | | | | Did you know that you can use diet to control |
| muscle quality, preventing muscular | | | | high blood pressure? Studies have shown that |
| deterioration and reducing depression. | | | | exercise has a role in keeping blood pressure |
| | | | from increasing. Yes; hypertension can be |
| You see, true fitness is everything from | | | | controlled by physical activity, a low fat |
| proper sleep to proper nutrition, from stress | | | | diet, and reducing your salt intake, weight, |
| reduction to weight reduction, and from | | | | and alcohol consumption! |
| flexibility to balance to relaxation. Being | | | | |
| physically well toned and muscular does not | | | | There is also increasing evidence that weight |
| mean youre healthy. | | | | bearing exercises, like walking, dancing, |
| | | | running, and sports are all excellent for |
| Diet and exercise work together for your | | | | good bone health. |
| body's best interest. Thats because nutrition | | | | |
| and physical activity go together like bread | | | | To balance your overall health, you need to |
| and butter for our bodies. Dieting alone is | | | | have a healthy diet that provides ample |
| not going to be able to give you all of these | | | | calcium, vitamins and minerals along with the |
| health benefits. You need to have the | | | | adequate amount of exercise to keep your body |
| physical part as well. Exercise will aid in | | | | working great for the rest of your life. |