What Does Being Fit Really Teach Us?

We make choices in life. Each one of us is unique in our own ways. As individuals, our minds are in control of everything - those that we do, those that we want to do and those that we want to have. Our eagerness and determination to work hard in achieving the things that we think we can't do or the things that we think we can't have will determine our future.

Physical fitness as described in Wikipedia, is a general state of health and well-being or specifically the ability to perform aspects of sports or occupations. Physical fitness is generally achieved through correct nutrition, exercise, hygiene and rest. It is a set of attributes or characteristics that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity. Physical fitness means being healthy and free from illness and the ability to be involved in physical activities, such as running, jumping, swimming, weight lifting, etc. Since our first few years in school, we have been introduced to physical fitness and sports. Some of us discovered our talents and became athletes. Others would always try their best to excel in sports even if they believe that they don't have the said talent. They are those people who believe in the saying, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Now, let's talk about those who are neither athletes nor enthusiasts. They are these type of people:

1) An average guy who wants to look better, have bigger arms, broader shoulders, thicker chest and finely carved abs.
2) A person who thinks he or she is fat and aims to have a smaller waistline or a flat tummy.
3) A skinny guy who wants to build more muscle.
4) A man or a woman who wants to become stronger and feel better.
5) An elderly who is fighting a disease and was advised by the doctor to start exercising. The main goal is to look better. Next is to feel better, stronger and healthier.

In my own opinion, physical fitness is a complex state. It is a definition of how a person lives his or her life. It is an enigmatic evidence of feeling great from inside out. It is a result of discipline, hard work, humility, curiosity, and perseverance.

These characteristics, for me, are the main ingredients in becoming successful in your fitness goals.
DISCIPLINE

Not eating your favorite comfort food or not drinking your favorite soda, getting yourself tired three, four or five times a week, spending your time running outside instead of just lying in bed - these are not a good idea to many. When you have discipline, you know that you have to do what you don't want to.

HARD WORK

Focusing on your goal, looking forward to achieving your desired body or physical ability and pushing yourself hard are not really hard to do at all. Always tell yourself to strive more for better results. Hard work pays off at the end of the day.

HUMILITY

Always keep in mind that you don't need to be better than someone else. There will always be that person who looks better than you or is stronger than you. Sometimes you will be that person too. There is no competition with anyone but yourself. Bragging about what you have will get you nowhere.

CURIOSITY

There are a lot of fitness experts and magazines online nowadays. Social media is one of the best ways to get advice and tips from. You only need to take the time to read those advice and tips and try applying them. Having a friend who is experienced in physical fitness will also be a bonus. But also limit yourself to hearsay.

PERSEVERANCE

There will be times that you get frustrated, unmotivated, hopeless and unprogressive. Don't just quit right away. Remember the first day of your workout until the next weeks, months and years that you feel a lot stronger than ever before. Never think of giving up and put to waste what you have already started. You will notice the changes in your body as you take pictures every now and then, either monthly or bimonthly, or anytime you want to take note of your progress.

As you take the journey to achieving your goals and having the physique that you always wanted, you will eventually learn and practice the qualities mentioned above. You will also get used to eating healthier foods and limit or exclude those unhealthy ones in your everyday meal. You will start to add and love more protein, green and leafy vegetables, healthy fats and fiber to your diet. But remember, there is no perfect diet, a very good advice or an excellent trainer to help you with your goal if your mind is not set to work with keen interest. In addition, you'll be more successful if you keep an open mind and be teachable all the time.

Although there will be times that you feel like your expectations are not met. You will feel like there are no changes in your body as how you want it to be. You'll be in the stage of reaching the so-called plateau and you notice that there is no progress anymore, you're not getting any bigger, leaner or stronger. Your only competition here is yourself. Every time you look in the mirror, you will see that person in front of you. You would always want to look better than that one there. Every time you feel like quitting, every time you feel tired and losing the drive, just think of what you will achieve when you keep going. You need to decide where you want to be. Are you contented with what you just have? Would you just accept the fact that you can't achieve something new for yourself? Or would you want to experience the triumph of conquering your limitations? As the great Arnold Schwarzenegger said, make your mind work for you, not against you. You just have to be patient, continue doing what you have started, keep an open mind because everyday is a learning process, enjoy yourself until the day you realize that you have already reached your goal. By then, you will know exactly what I'm talking about right now.

Small Steps - Big Weight Loss

Many people think you need to take great strides to achieve weight loss success. They believe that the great weight loss stories are all men and women who have made a big change in your diet or start working every day of the week. Obviously, these major changes in lifestyle can work for some people, but for most of us do not.

To instantly change your lifestyle and then try to follow a new routine is not easy. If you really want to change your body, the best weight loss plan is to make small regular steps to achieve the results you want.

Small steps to a healthy diet.

Do not try to completely change your diet in a day. In fact, people who deal with plans fast and quick weight loss rarely achieve any success achieved lasting weight loss because they can not maintain the sudden change. Try changing what you eat one food at a time, one week at a time.

For example, to start your new diet plan to lose weight this week, try to eat a salad with two meals each day. No need to count calories and do not need to eat less. All you need to do is eat a salad.

Then next week, your goal is to stop eating fried foods. Again, if this is your goal should be your only goal for the week. Do not try to do too much too much of the implementation of changes to both. By changing your diet gradually, it gives your brain time to adapt to their new habits. It also gives your body time to adapt to the changing levels of calories and nutrition.

Small steps to exercise.

In the same way as you slowly and gradually changing what you eat, your exercise routine should also be taken slowly. If you try to start an exercise routine that is very hard core, there is a good chance that your subconscious will start to make excuses for not exercising.

Start with only exercise one or two days a week, instead of trying to do something every day. In the beginning, it is logical to take things a little slower. When you do your exercise routine, you need to feel like you've pushed yourself, but not your whole body suffers a day later. After regular exercise becomes part of your weight loss plan, you can start making your most intense workouts.

Want to learn more ways to lose weight and get fit? Are you confused about healthy eating? Want to know the best training techniques to get the results you want?

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5 Key Benefits Of Exercise Beyond “Looking Good”

Let’s face it: Most people that engage in an exercise program do it to physically look good. Rarely do people think about the benefits beyond looking good. I’ve always favored the phrase ‘fitness and beyond’. However, I’m more passionate about that whole ‘beyond’ part and that’s what I’m going to offer you in the next few seconds. It’s time for you to get acquainted with some fitness facts and benefits of exercising that most people either don’t know about or don’t talk about. So, let’s talk about the top five things about exercise beyond just looking good. Here we go:

 

Fact #1: Mind, Body & Spirit

The human being has three different components — Mind, body and spirit; much like a ‘tripod’. A tripod has three legs. If you take away any one of those legs, the tripod is going to fall. It’s not going to be able to perform the function that it should perform. The human being is the same exact way and regular exercise balances these three elements.

 

Fact #2: Exercise Boosts Brian Power

It releases a brain chemical called serotonin, which allows you to think clearer, faster and longer.

 

Fact #3: Exercise Gives You Energy

It produces a chemical called ‘endorphins’ which allows you to feel energized. That’s why most people workout during the day. Because then you’ll have that sustained feeling of energy throughout the day. There’s always that three o’clock low and we want to take a nap, you will be able to break through that by exercising.

 

Fact #4: Movement Melts Away Stress

It releases a relaxation response within the body. This response heightens your mood, allows you to feel happier, and keeps depression at bay. Let me ask you this — How do you think your relationships will be if you felt better? Yes, you guessed it right, they’d be awesome!

 

Fact #5: Exercise Helps Ward Off Disease

It strengthens your immune system. It can slow and prevent osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, strokes and heart disease.

To me these five facts are a lot more vital than just looking good. Like I said, l would love to look good too. But what good is looking good if you can’t think straight, you‘re tired, depressed, or sick? It’s not going to work.

I hope I was able to provide some inspirational information here that may motivate you to improve your lifestyle and set some fitness goals. Have a healthy day!