Fitness is an overall state of well-being and physical fitness in particular, the capacity to do various parts of physical tasks and jobs well. Fitness is usually achieved through adequate sleep, proper nutrition and, when necessary, intensive physical activity. As a general rule, fitness requires you to live an active lifestyle, which can be both healthy and enjoyable. Some people have a perfectly fit body type and are in fine health; others, like the morbidly obese, have health issues that compromise their fitness levels. The fact is anyone can achieve fitness goals regardless of the type of physical activities they engage in, their health status, or the resources they have at their disposal.
Aerobic fitness refers to any exercise that increases your heart rate and improves your ability to breathe properly. It’s not just improving your aerobic capacity that will help you lead a more active life; doing regular cardiovascular exercises will also make you stronger all over. It is believed that your central nervous system and your immune system rely on oxygen to function, so any time you limit your exposure to poor quality or polluted air, you’re increasing the level of your oxygen supply. Strength training, in general, builds your muscles. And as someone who engages in a regular amount of exercise – even if it’s a few minutes each day – you’ll notice stronger muscles, more endurance and better coordination.
Muscular endurance is related to the ability of your muscles to withstand stress for a long period of time and your body’s ability to heal itself after strenuous activity. While endurance may seem like a small part of your overall fitness, muscle strength and muscle power are extremely important to athletic achievement. If you’re looking to improve your endurance level, start by adding more weight to the exercises you’re doing. You’ll find that over time, as you get stronger and more conditioned, that the weights you are lifting will be easier to lift. To develop muscular endurance, you’ll need to do high intensity interval training (HIT) workouts which are especially effective.
Core strength and stability are intimately linked with your balance and your sense of purpose in your life. Core exercises such as crunches, sit-ups and stretches not only help you get fit, they strengthen your back and abdominal muscles. These core muscles are essential for supporting your spine and for movement. As you strengthen your core muscles you will also notice a reduction in your back pain and a general sense of wellness and confidence.
Many of us focus so much on losing weight and cutting fat that we forget about our mental fitness and resilience. A strong mental outlook is just as important to your physical fitness as it is to your muscle conditioning. In fact, it may be the most important factor. If you have a positive mental outlook, you will be more likely to maintain a strong fitness routine because you will be mentally strong and physically fit. A strong mental fitness also makes you more resilient and able to deal with the many challenges that life throws at us.
Staying active is easy. In fact, it is vital to your physical fitness and overall health. It is easy to get lazy and allow yourself to slip into a sedentary lifestyle. Get yourself out, move around, and stay active! Whether it’s through fitness classes, an organized sports program or something as simple as a walk around your neighborhood every morning – getting out of bed in the morning is an act of self-confidence, motivation and personal growth.