Monday 13 February 2012

Being Fit Versus Being Healthy

Most people have this wrong notion that being fit is tantamount to being healthy. While the terms "fit" and "healthy" are almost identical in meaning, there is a subtle difference between the two. Being "fit" means the ability to exert effort and do regular work without fatigue or recover quickly after a round of strenuous exercise as the faster your heart beat returns to normal the fitter you are considered.

Being healthy, on the other hand, encompasses a complete well-being of body and mind along with the absence any disease or ailment. So you can be both healthy and fit or you can be fit and not healthy and vice versa. Your outdoor fitness workouts will definitely be high on your priority list if you want to be fit; however, being healthy is a more holistic approach towards having an enjoyable life.

If you are envious of your neighbor' perfectly toned figure then maybe you are contemplating starting your own fitness regimen. However, before you start shedding the flab and huffing and puffing at the gym, there are certain important factors you need to mull over. Some people are thin by nature; it's just in their genes, so don't equate less fat with being fit. Consider whether shedding fat should be your only fitness goal or should you incorporate exercise in your daily routine as a part of staying healthy.

Set a realistic weight loss goal for yourself before you start losing the pounds. In the absence of a pre-fixed standard, you'll never be satisfied with your fitness program and strive forever to shed more weight. This will inversely affect your mental happiness and invite depression. Also, people tend to focus more on fitness at the cause of their health thereby causing irreparable damage to their body in the form of chronic fatigue, weakness, injuries or an overworked, immunocompromised physique.

Many a times you come across such shocking news as the sudden death of a young athlete at the peak of his career. Athletes in general do regular and rigorous physical workouts to achieve and maintain a high fitness level. However, this does not automatically mean they are healthy. They may be having some congenital cardiac problems which they are unaware of or which they hope to offset by staying fit through regular exercise.

Many people also fall prey to the lure of steroids and health-drinks in order to have a muscular, fitter body. Avoid such suggestions and do a thorough medical checkup of your physique before embarking on any fitness program.

Trying to be healthy, on the other hand, is a more balanced and gradual process. It involves the complete well-being of your body and mind along with the absence of any illness. Even if you are exercising regularly, you might be suffering from a disease you are unaware of; and thus unhealthy. Happiness and contentment with life are also major components of being healthy.

Outdoor fitness workouts impart extra mobility and energy to you and you feel like you can achieve more within the same parameters. However, you have to combine that with nutritious balanced food, good lifestyle habits and harbor a positive attitude in order to be completely healthy. It is thus beneficial to throw in a little fitness activity in your daily routine so that your body stays flexible and strong but it is definitely not enough to have a healthy life, which is more desirable.

If you would like to sign up for a session at an Outdoor Fitness Domain, visit Sydney Bootcamps.


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