ARE YOU REALLY FIT?

Being fit means maintaining a healthy weight. It means ability to provide for one’s own life and wellbeing. Fitness may be described as a state of being in good health probably because of regular exercise. It can also be described as being healthy, well, in good condition, in good shape or trim.

Maintaining a good level of physical fitness is something we should all aspire to have. We have achieved fitness when we are strong, energetic, healthy, and happy with the way we look.

For most people, to get fit means eating less and exercising more. Why are staying active and eating well so important? The results of being fit are amazing:

• ·         Being fit makes us look and feel better.

• ·         Keeping fit can help slow the bone loss associated with ageing.
• ·         Being fit can give us more energy, improve our self esteem, help us manage stress better, as well as reduce anxiety and depression.
• ·         When we are fit, it lowers our blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• ·         Fitness reduces the risk of heart diseases and type 2 diabetes.
• ·         Being fit can improve one’s IQ.
• ·         It improves a person’s mood.
• ·         It improves the immune system.
• ·         It improves the circulatory system.
• ·         It improves sleep.
• ·         It slows down the ageing process.
• ·         People who are fit potentially have a lower risk of developing certain cancers, for example, colon, breast, endometrial, and lung cancers.
• ·         Being fit can increase our longevity.
• ·         It helps you stay mentally fit too.
• ·         When you are fit, it means your weight is controlled.
• ·         It can improve one’s sex life.
• ·         It improves one’s quality of life.
• ·         It increases the level of our metabolism.
• ·         It prevents obesity.
• ·         We achieve an inner glow due to improved facial appearance and body composition.

• ·         Staying healthy increases our flexibility and mobility.

HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE FITNESS

I believe that the starting point to getting fit and maintaining it is to be desperate for change. You have to want to be fit that bad. Without this strong desperation which serves as a fire that burns through your entire body, this feat may be difficult to attain.  Here are some things we must do in order to achieve fitness.

EXERCISE

Exercise is very very

important if we must attain to fitness. This can be as simple as walking or biking for 30 minutes thrice a week.

EAT HEALTHY

Eating healthy is a lifestyle that should be adopted.

WATER

Drink enough water every day. This keeps the body hydrated and also helps flush wastes out of the body.

CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS

This means how well our body can endure physical activity via our circulatory and respiratory systems. Activities that can help improve our cardiorespiratory fitness include swimming, brisk walking, jogging, etc.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BODY WEIGHT

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to being healthy and fit. Your BMI can tell you whether you are overweight, underweight, or within the normal weight range. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 indicates a normal healthy weight. Anything outside this range might be unhealthy.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY CHOLESTEROL LEVEL

Your cholesterol level is another indicator of your health and fitness because they indicate how healthy your body is on the inside.

BLOOD PRESSURE

This can also indicate whether you are healthy and fit. Aim for a blood pressure reading below 120/80.

Fitness is a general state of health and wellbeing. It can be achieved through good diet, exercise and adopting healthy lifestyle practices.