Health related fitness

What exactly is "health related fitness?" I think that's a good question, so let's take a closer look at it.

"Health" describes a condition of physical and mental well-being; freedom from disease, pain or defect. Health is a condition of soundness or vitality.

"Fitness" describes a condition where someone or something can perform certain jobs well.

Enjoyable physical activity contributes to your health and fitness

For example, "Fitness to become a good parent requires the ability to love, respect and guide children."

Or "A Phillips head screwdriver doesn't possess the fitness to unscrew a flat head screw."

We're talking about physical fitness here, which describes how well your body can perform a task - anything from tying your shoes to being able to climb Mt. Everest.

There are different levels of physical fitness just as there are different levels of health. You can read more about this in the article that describes the relationship between health, physical activity and exercise.

A common perception of "fitness" brings to mind a picture of a body builder or a professional athlete. While those guys are definitely at a level of fitness needed to perform those specific activities or sports, we can all have health related fitness no matter what our physical conditions is right now.

Any level of fitness is related to your level of health! Fitness and health go together, they're not separate nor can you truly have one without the other. Being fit means being healthy! If someone isn't very fit, you can be sure that he isn't completely healthy and full of vitality either.

Exercise can be enjoyable and will improve your level of health and fitness

You can learn more about how health is related to fitness and exercise by checking out the article on the types of exercise and what each kind does to improve health.

It's easy to lose sight of this basic fact, that health is related to fitness, in these current times of symptom-oriented "give me a pill to fix it" mind-set. There is very little emphasis by "conventionally" (Western-method) trained healthcare providers on nutrition, exercise and proper sleep because that is not what they are trained in. That approach has only created more illness so how can it be right?

Here are two different scenarios to illustrate the difference between symptom-oriented and cause-oriented treatment and how they can affect our understanding of health related fitness:

Scenario 1:

Patient: "Doc, I'm all clogged up!"

Western "drugs and surgery" method doctor, writing on prescription pad: "Don't worry, get this filled for this prescription-only laxative and take it for the rest of your life."

Symptom: Constipation

Solution: A prescription drug to treat the symptom, or sign, of the problem.

Looks healthy and fit to me!

Now, let's say this poor fellow goes to a doctor who actually knows how the body works and what it needs to correct the problem:

Scenario 2:

Patient: "Doc, I'm all clogged up!"

Educated doctor: "How much fiber do you get in your diet? How much water do you drink every day? Do you get much exercise?"

Patient: "Well, probably not enough."

"Okay, that's good that you're aware of it." Writes on prescription pad.

"Increase your water intake to 2 liters a day, gradually of course. Here's a list of things that are good sources of fiber, incorporate things that you like into your diet. You can even get some fiber supplements to help you. Take a nice brisk walk for 20 - 30 minutes a day, that's a key action. Call me back in 2 weeks and let me know how you're feeling."

Symptom: Constipation

Solution: Find out what the fellow is lacking and address the probable cause of the problem.

Now, this is a simplified example, but you get the idea of how the fact that health is related to fitness can get lost or minimized by current healthcare practices.

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If we step back for a minute and look at the benefits of exercise and physical activity in our lives over time, the picture gets much more clear about how health is related to fitness and that they are really just two sides of the same coin - the condition of our bodies!

A man's health can be judged by which he takes two at a time - pills or stairs. ~Joan Welsh

More Articles on Health Related Fitness: Exercise Information There's plenty of exercise information available... but why isn't it generally helping over 60% of Americans to become more active? This article may provide the missing link in our understanding of exercise and health. Types of exercise There are 4 main types of exercise that all help the body in different ways. They're all important to overall health and vitality! Benefit of exercise What's the benefit of exercise? Well, considering that man has been exercising for eons, there probably is some good in it! Mini trampoline exercise Whoa... I recently "discovered" mini trampoline exercise, also known as rebounding. It is the exercise of my dreams! It's very effective, efficient and fun... Rebounding benefits rock! Rebounding benefits just about anyone of any age, size and physical condition. Learn how simple and easy this highly effective exercise is to get started on and stay motivated! Benefits to exercise If you are unsure of the benefits to exercise and how exercise should be enjoyable, you will find some answers in this article. Definition of Physical Activity The actual definition of physical activity is very simple. Here it is with further information on increasing your level of physical activity and enjoying it.

 

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