Exercise is a Way of Life

Now that we know we are healthy enough to participate in exercise from the post Exercise Program Preparation and have put together a Game Plan that will allow us to develop some consistency in our routine and life, I want to take some time in this post to really get you to understand that the journey you are about to embark on is the most rewarding trip you will ever take and the best part is that it never ends. See, exercise is something your bodies active tissue (muscle, organs, bones) needs in order to stay healthy so it is not a journey that holds any destination in sight.

How do I stay fit? The answer is simple, but before I give the answer I want to comment on the question.

What is "fit?" It is such a broad term with a wide range of acceptable answers. Does it mean fit to run a marathon? Fit to play in a summer softball game? Fit to walk 18 holes of golf? Fit to mow my lawn, plant my flowers, and do my housework? Fit to care for myself?

I will choose to answer the question with "fit" being defined as my body being prepared to provide me with a quality of life, able to do the things that I enjoy.

How do I stay fit? The simple answer lies within my motto: Exercise is a way of life, not an event. Each day exercise or activity, as I prefer to say, is part of my life. I find enjoyment in moving; my body does not like being still for long periods of time. When I am watching TV for a long period of time I usually get up and do some push ups, if I have taken a long ride in the car I usually do some bodyweight squats when I get a chance to stretch out my legs. Human movement makes my body feel good and in return I have a leaner more muscular body.

This way of life has been with me for as long as I can remember, just as eating, sleeping, and brushing my teeth have been a part of my life since birth.

On most days I wake up and use my rower to get the blood flowing. I ride a bike or walk for transportation as much as possible, and I stretch each (I should even do this several times a day). More than once a week I do some resistance training but never at a super high intensity since I no longer play competitive sports and most of it is a set of exercise here and there each hour I have clients. I choose stairs instead of escalators or elevators when possible. I enjoy a wide variety of activity interests, but often these activities provide my social life as much as my activity life.

I also enjoy meeting challenges such as playing flag football or a Cross Fit Met Con, but these events are not the foundation of my fitness. It is the daily activity and the attitude that moving the body is a good thing that provides the foundation for my fitness.

Activity is available in a wide variety of intensities. Much of my activity is moderate in intensity, and it may not be for more than 10 minutes, but the surgeon general's recommendation for health is for 20-30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. The 20-30 minutes can be broken into smaller segments, and the health benefit is still met. When I am preparing for a more vigorous goal, such as participating in a Crossfit workout, I step up my intensity and duration to prepare my body, but most of the time my activity is moderate.

People assume that I am fit because of my job.  My job may make it easier for me to find ways to participate in activities, but it is my motto that allows me to be fit. My career is devoted to helping people find ways to include activity as a part of their lives. It is important to me to provide a positive role model for people of all ages, but the main reason that I am fit is because being active is a way of life for me.

Fit or Fat?

What should you set your eyes on?

If you watch much television or read many fitness magazines, you may think that becoming ripped is the goal of anyone who works out. But should that really be the goal of your exercise routine?

Ever wondered how to view the division between fit and fat? You're not alone.

Understanding Overweight and Obesity

Ideally, every person will weigh the proper weight that allows him or her to function well during the day. Since being underweight or overweight can do significant damage to the body's organs, bones, and joints, obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight is paramount to overall good health.

However, as very few people in the developed world are underweight, the primary issue people face with regard to their weight is being overweight or even obese. In some parts of the world - the United States of America primarily - the number of people who weigh more than they ought has grown to such numbers that an epidemic has been declared.

When an individual's body mass index (BMI is a measure of body fat based on a comparison of your height and weight) is 25 or higher, the individual is deemed overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity. Falling into either category greatly increases an individual's risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and countless other diseases.

What Makes You Fit

Thanks to a recent study published by the American College of Sports Medicine, the view of what it means to be fit may be changing. That's because the study found that while being thin is nice, it does not mean you're fit. Rather, being fit requires some effort.

During the study, three groups of overweight individuals were told to do three different things. Group one was told to keep doing what they were doing, group two was put on a diet, and the third group was put on a diet and given an exercise regimen to stick with throughout the duration of the six-month trial.

When the study was complete, the two groups of people that changed their habits lost weight. Researchers expected this, as did the general public. What is surprising many people, though, is that losing weight was found to not be enough to improve a person's overall fitness.

Only the group that dieted and exercised regularly improved the function of their internal organs and thereby enjoyed increased overall fitness. In other words, both groups who dieted dropped weight (approximately 10 percent of their overall body weight), but exercise was the deciding factor in whether an individual improved his or her blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular fitness.

Making the Difference

As the study showed, exercise makes the difference in being fit, fat, or naturally thin. So what does this mean for you? It means that sticking with your regular exercise routine - no matter how difficult it may be at times - isn't just a good idea for your good looks. It makes all the difference in your good health and well-being.

But how hard do you have to work out? It depends on your goal. The individuals in the study were put on exercise routines that burned off 500 calories for men and 400 for women each day. However, these were overweight individuals who could safely lose a substantial amount of weight. If you're already at a healthy weight and want to take your overall fitness to the next level, you may want to burn even more calories. Just remember to do it safely, eat plenty of healthy foods every day, and not overwork any specific muscle group during your routine.

Bigger than BMI

Want to get a handle on how fat or fit you are? You'll need to work with a health or exercise professional. Because while knowing your body mass index is helpful, it does not give a full picture of your overall health.