Stay Healthy to Stay FiT

Fitness is a perfect combination of a healthy body, sound mind and unwavering spirit . In most cases, this is represented by a triangle that symbolizes the physical, mental and emotional state of a person. Contrary to popular belief, being healthy is not limited to just having a well-sculpted and buffed body. You need to be emotionally and mentally stable as well for you to live a stress-free and happy life.

Being fit would also mean veering away from sickness and undesirable elements that would jeopardize one’s health. This is why we should devise a comprehensive regimen that would strengthen the body’s natural immune system, and at the same time, live an active lifestyle to promote good physical and mental development. So what, you may ask, are the things that one must do to make us fit inside and out? Do we need a variation on specific tasks, or can we follow the same routine every single day?

Fitness programs are designed to target a specific need. Some would require an increase in stamina or improve the oxygen utilization of the body. Others may want to strengthen certain muscle groups on the arms, legs or thighs; or perhaps improve cardiovascular functions which are aimed to address the advancement of certain illnesses like heart disease and joint-related problems. The duration and intensity of training exercises vary depending on the progression of the task at hand.

There are several types of training exercises that can be incorporated into a comprehensive fitness program.  Perhaps the simplest of which (and cost-effective too) are brisk walking and jogging.  Brisk walking is regular walking that is done at a controlled and faster pace.  Jogging, on the other hand, is running at an even pace.  A walk by the bay area or jogging at the park works out fine with most; what a better way to keeping in shape while enjoying the scenery right?

When you talk about having a total body workout, you can never be wrong whenever you go out for a swim.  Swimming gives your entire body a total workout without breaking a sweat.  It may be the most cost-effective too since it does not require any expensive equipment.  It is joint and muscle friendly too since the water acts as a safety barrier that shields the body from severe impact of weight or pressure.  It also promotes flexibility, whether it’s the arms, legs, thighs, torso, spine or chest area. On top of it all, it is great for your heart and lungs as it regulates breathing and improves cardiovascular efficiency.

If you like going for long distances, then it is good to consider cycling or biking for your exercise. Riding a bicycle is a low stress form of exercise for the joints, and a good way of strengthening the leg and thigh muscles. Great care must be observed though depending on the path or incline that you take. The steeper the incline of the road or track, the greater the effort.  This might take some toll on the muscles, as well as on the heart and lungs since more oxygen is being burned at a greater rate.

Last but not least, if you prefer not to leave the comfort of your home or perhaps would like to frequent the gym, then you can try the treadmill or stationary bicycle. The variation of speed level and incline on the treadmill will simulate light to moderate to heavy exercise, all of which is a matter of your choice.

When we try to create the perfect fitness training program, always put into mind that exercise is not just a means to achieve a perfectly sculptured body for vanity purposes. A balance must be achieved to sharpen the mind, strengthen the body and uplift the spirit. Never over-indulge and eat the right food. Keep healthy and stay fit.