The Importance of Fitness
Fitness is a much talked about topic, only to become confusing in some respects because everyone seems to have their own theory, method and program of achieving a state of fitness.
However things do not have to get too complicated because if a basic understanding of the human body is obtained, it is readily realized that there are certain rules that work and other practices and habits that go against the grain.
A major problem in the modern day world of convenience and time sensitive schedules is that of a proper diet. Advertising and promotion of “quickly prepared” meals have overwhelmed the marketplace to the point of using processed foods of the type and makeup that are not very nutritional at all.
So, the first point of attainment of better fitness is to establish and maintain a proper diet. Studies have proven that our bodies need a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, and lean protein along with minimal dairy and other foods. The real problem is that many people receive little in the way of fruits and vegetables at all, and instead eat the majority of their meals that are high in carbohydrates, little protein and high in sugars and starches.
It is no wonder that our society is beset with obesity, heart and circulation disease, and cancer. After a period of time the body gets so clogged up and nutritionally starved that is begins to break down. People wonder why, but they were never properly trained and did not learn any better. It is an interesting fact that people who live to an older age, say into their 80’s and 90’s eat a lot of vegetables.
Another secret of good health and fitness is exercise. Today most of our children average 7 hours per day in front of a video screen of some kind. The emphasis for children has come full circle from playing baseball, playing outdoors, running, playing on the playground to spending nearly all of their free time being physically inactive.
The human body was designed to be exercised. The muscles are ready for action to run, jog, walk and move. The heart and circulatory system operates more efficiently and gets rid of waste that otherwise accumulates and causes problems. If a person fails to exercise, the muscles will lose tone and not be able to operate as effectively. The heart will be reduced in function over time, and the blood vessels will clog and not be able to operate as well.
The average middle aged person can effectively receive enough exercise by simply walking for a half an hour per day. If an individual has a job where walking is required, such as a postal carrier, that person’s exercise is largely accounted for. Exercise that is more intense, such as jogging, will certainly provide more benefit if done in moderation. If jogging is practiced in a more intensive manner, it can cause damage to the knee and ankle cartilage.
When broken down to its basics, fitness is just practicing proper diet and exercise habits. Making sensible decisions in what we eat and how we exercise will pay great dividends. A little study and gaining of practical knowledge in these areas will pay off in the reward of a long and enjoyable life on this earth.
