Health and Fitness- The Matters That Matter the Most

The physical condition of our health is the result of the actions we take and in turn of our genetic makeup and environment. This is what we are going to deal with throughout this article. Let’s start by defining fitness, first!

Fitness is a state of being that makes us feel good and energized but it doesn’t mean that something is right in your body because you have been working hard on yourself all day. Yet you aren’t feeling as fit as you would like to be. It is not easy to be fit if you don’t want to give up something you love or the activities you enjoy, so this leads me to my next point.

How do I define fitness?

There are ways and means to find fitness and there are things that we can do to improve our health. Some people find exercise and other activities challenging while others find them enjoyable. However, many people get bored easily with their busy routines and lack time to work out. Many people struggle with health conditions such as arthritis which make it difficult for them to do some exercises. So this brings us back to the definition of fitness. Fitness is all about being physically healthy but also mentally well too. But how does one know whether they are indeed fit? Well, I believe that you measure fitness by the way your mind and body react to certain situations. You may feel happier when you run faster and feel less depressed if you have a lot of energy. These emotions can directly affect one’s overall health.

Let’s say you’re tired and you go home. Now you ask yourself, “am I fit”? You might think yes because you’ve been doing some workouts daily and feel great and comfortable as your condition improves but there could be several reasons. One major reason behind these changes is your attitude towards working out. If you can stop thinking that exercising is boring or difficult and start thinking why can’t I do this workout again, then you will begin to see results. That is exactly where fitness comes into play.

Fitness is the ability of your mind and body to adapt to new situations while maintaining your current situation. For example, during cold weather, our bodies heat up slowly but after getting warm it cools down instantly causing our minds to wander and start talking about upcoming winter days. We also experience fatigue if we cannot keep up with the pace we set for ourselves, which again limits our capacity for activity since it takes away from our stamina. Another example includes depression which affects our mood and our performance at school and other areas. Depression often becomes worse with time but it can be improved by seeking professional help. People who work regularly with stress can reduce their risk of developing mental and physical problems. You can try meditation, yoga, and breathing techniques to increase your fitness level. Exercise can either motivate you to fight off an illness or cure it. Most people are surprised when they get sick and think they are weak and unable to get better but in reality, their bodies can produce anti-inflammatories that help fight against this illness. A study showed that those who exercised for 30 minutes twice a week had lower blood pressure than people who didn’t exercise. Thus, exercise and fitness can lead to improved mental and physical wellness.

Fitness is all about feeling good, not just knowing how to do it! How can you measure fitness? Here are a few ways it could be measured, depending on personal preferences and habits:

Step count – This is one area where personal values have nothing to do with fitness and, therefore, we must try to make sure we remain active throughout the day without skipping steps. There’s no better way to track your step count than with a pedometer. When you step on the scale it gives you numerical data that can be used to calculate your average daily step count in a day. Usually, people walk for around 5,000 steps per day while others take 15,000 steps per day. Keep track of these steps since you need to stay physically active.

Body Mass Index (BMI) – It helps measure the actual body size, weight, and height of an individual. BMI calculates the total amount of body fat, especially belly fat, and helps determine if a person needs to change anything to their diet plan and exercise regimen. Since obesity is dangerous for both health and well-being, it is important to monitor your BMI level to avoid complications of diseases and disorders which can further worsen your condition.

Pulse Rate/Heart Rate – When you hear someone speaking, your heartbeat increases and this makes you feel happier, but how do you know if someone is speaking loud and clear? One way to check is to look at their pulse rate and or heart rate. An individual whose pulse rate is 120 per minute and whose heart rate goes above 100 beats per minute has very high levels of anxiety. They appear anxious. Stress is another negative element of any type of relationship since it causes feelings of anger and anxiety, leading to an unhealthy lifestyle. Anxiety, on its own, decreases productivity and emotional stability. Hence, measuring high BP and HR can tell whether your partner needs assistance.

Blood Pressure – This shows the levels of oxygen in your veins and arteries and hence tells you if you have any underlying medical conditions which could worsen your situation. For instance, your BP can show hypertension, congestive heart failure, thrombocytopenia, low red blood cell count, etc. Heart Disease Risk Factors – If you have any family history of cardiovascular disease or any other disease that could make your health issue even worse.

Weight Lifting Exercises – All individuals can work out on machines but everyone has different goals. Do you want to lose weight? Or gain muscle? To build muscles? As you choose fitness programs, focus on achieving your specific goal. Make sure the machine or workout suits your body since most machines won't hurt or cause pain. Try finding people you admire and follow on social media like Instagram (@myfitness) and Facebook pages @myfitness. People should share their positive experiences or a trainer whom they trust. Remember to eat your fruits and vegetables regularly to avoid becoming obese or malnourished. Eating a balanced diet with lots of exercises is the best way to combat obesity and enhance physical fitness. Regular screening for preventable illnesses, especially cancer, can help you detect early signs.

 Healthy Sleep – This helps make the brain function better at night. Lack of sleep can cause daytime drowsiness, irritability, poor concentration, slurred speech, short tempers, irritability, slow reaction times, and memory loss. Good sleep hygiene promotes restful sleep by eliminating noise, unnecessary light, air pollutants, stress hormones, and excess salt intake. Having regular restorative sleep hygiene is essential for your physical appearance since people spend a significant amount of money on cosmetics and skin care products to look presentable.

Maintaining proper weight and height measurements ensures that you receive the correct medication and proper nutrition to promote optimal health.