Health and Fitness

Health. Fitness. In today's image-conscious world, we are bombarded with infinite hype on how to become fit, why we should eat healthy, the benefits of exercising and smart eating, this magic exercise program (tone your tummy in seven days!), that instant weight loss potion (lose three dress sizes this weekend!)- all touted by cute young things in spandex and 10% body fat, who would have us believe that if we just purchase this fitness program, or invest in these magic pills, we will instantly become healthy, fit, and lean in the blink of an eye. (Come on, now, did you suddenly find those extra inches on your waistline overnight? Was it all of a sudden that you were panting after climbing just a flight of stairs? We don't think so.)

In spite of the plethora of information about the importance of physical activity and proper diet to achieve the goal of health and fitness, too many of us are dragging our feet when it comes to action. Ladies, being healthy and fit is not simply a passing fad. Besides finally being able to wear those size 6 jeans or not being winded from walking across a parking lot, the emotional and tangible benefits of being physically fit are immeasurable. Some of these benefits are obvious - improve muscle tone, leaner body, glowing skin, more energy, lower blood pressure Many positive consequences of fitness are less apparent, but just as beneficial. The ability to think more clearly. A more positive outlook. More restful sleep. Stressful things may be less stressful. Feelings of depression may be alleviated. Heightened self esteem. A healthy body will, indeed, pave the way to a healthy mind.

Sometimes just the thought of ever becoming healthy and fit might seem so distant as to be impossible. You may think, how can I ever lose all this weight? How can I ever not be self conscious about my appearance, or not be envious of women who have flat tummies and firm butts? We're constantly hearing that today's generations are fatter than ever and obesity endangers our health, but that quick-fix attempts at weight control are unhealthy and doomed to fail. So maybe we should just forget the whole business and console ourselves with a quart of rum raisin ice cream. Don't you believe it. Healthy living is important. The high rate of obesity and obesity related diseases only serve to point out that we need to develop better eating and fitness habits. It is easy to get frustrated when the goal is weight loss. Success in losing weight is unpredictable, and different individuals lose weight differently. Some drop extra pounds quickly, others very slowly. Many people do everything right, yet the scale seems to show no change for weeks. This is why losing weight as a goal can be counter productive. But focusing on the health and fitness achieved will give you the right outlook. Fitness is a good thing to gain, it will make you feel good and give you the right outlook. Even when the scale is not your friend, you can feel good about sticking to your plans to be a healthier you, to increase your physical activity, and to eat better. When changes are made for positive reasons, in the spirit of self-love, the changes are more likely to become permanent.

Continued... Health and Fitness II