| Are you fit, fat or just a little flabby on | | | | sacrifice to be physically fit, but the |
| the side? Are you short of breath after | | | | rewards far out-weigh the difficulties. |
| climbing a flight of stairs? Does a day spent | | | | Physically fit people are seldom overweight |
| shopping at the mall wear you out and leave | | | | and often have impressive physiques that |
| you aching all over? You don't have to be a | | | | others envy. |
| medical expert to determine if you are fit or | | | | |
| not. | | | | In addition, exercise lessens our urge to eat |
| | | | and increases our fluid intake. It also helps |
| It pays to be fit. In general, physical | | | | the circulation of our blood. |
| fitness refers simply to a general state of | | | | |
| being in good physical health. It is the | | | | Mentally, being physically fit also has its |
| result of regular physical activity, proper | | | | rewards such as peace of mind and a general |
| nutrition and enough rest for the body to | | | | self-assurance and readiness to face the |
| allow full physical recovery. | | | | physical, emotional and mental challenges of |
| | | | everyday life. |
| Fit persons are able to deal with the daily | | | | |
| stresses of life better than the rest of us, | | | | The hardest part of going on a fitness |
| both on a physical and emotional level. | | | | regimen is getting started. But once you've |
| Stress is a well-known killer that takes its | | | | hit the weight room or started on your |
| toll on people after prolonged periods of | | | | aerobics program, you will see exactly how |
| time. Some widely-practiced stress busters | | | | your body benefits in a few short weeks and |
| include regular exercise, physical therapy, | | | | will therefore be encouraged to stick to your |
| massage and activities that can relax and | | | | regimen. Remember that in matters of |
| sooth our nerves such as luxuriating in a | | | | exercise, you get exactly what you put in, so |
| nice, hot bath. Generally speaking, the more | | | | the harder you exercise, the more you |
| fit you are, the better equipped you are to | | | | benefit. |
| handle stress. | | | | |
| | | | Walking is an effective and simple fitness |
| A person's overall physical fitness level | | | | activity that is a good starting point for |
| takes into account his flexibility, | | | | your regimen. Other effective fitness |
| cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength | | | | activities include running, swimming, |
| and endurance, body composition, agility, | | | | aerobics, water aerobics, aero boxing, |
| balance and speed. | | | | cycling, strength programs (weights), martial |
| | | | arts and a host of hybrid gym aerobic |
| It takes a certain amount of time and | | | | programs. |