Trust me, we’ve all been in a situation where we begin to have thoughts as to whether our health even matters because YOLO right? Some people will excuse their daily unhealthy eating pattern or lack of exercise by saying “well in the end, we’re all going to end up in the same place” or something along the lines of that. But in reply to this I say, why would you want to go on living the one life we live not feeling your absolute best and happiest?
We do live once, and therefore we should make sure that we are taking care of ourselves so that in the future, we can spend our money on vacationing around the world or buying gifts for loved ones rather than on health checkups.
Too often in this busy world we live in, we forget to spend time on ourselves for nourishment and growth. I get it. However, everyone has a choice as to how they spend their lives, and it honestly is up to YOU whether or not you’re dedicated to making choices that can impact your life for the better.
When you set aside 10 minutes of your day for that little jog around the block, or to sit down with others to munch on nutritious foods rather than running around with a big mac in hand, or to even simply stretch and breathe, you’ll notice that is all it takes to make your body instantly feel a sense of gratitude. On top of that, everyone is out trying to work their hardest for maximum results whether it be in work or school, but how else will you get ahead and constantly display peak performance if you’re body is worn out from improper care?
Since fitness is the state of being physically able to live the happy, fulfilling life you want — the first and most obvious payoff of achieving fitness is high quality of life.
Research often links fitness to:
- Increased energy levels (4)
- Better work-life balance, according to a study in the November/December issue of the journal Human Resource Management, (5)
- Stronger immunity (6)
- Sounder sleep (7)
There are also multiple studies that suggest increasing your fitness through exercise can also help mild to moderate depression just as much as medication. As you will come to find throughout this blog, I am a HUGE advocate for natural remedies. They do not have any negative side effects compared to medications, so why would you not choose the safer route?
When we exercise, a myriad of benefits occur. We get less stressed out, the brain increases its dopamine production, anxiety is eased, and energy is boosted. With all of these effects under your belt, how can you not conquer the day? Just take a few minutes out of your day to help yourself. Read a few of my blog posts to help you get started and guide you on simple tasks you can conquer in order to become a better you.
Additionally, something that I feel is important to mention is that fitness is NOT about how you look. Traditionally, experts have defined five key components of physical fitness: body composition (the relative proportion of fat and fat-free tissue in the body), cardio-respiratory fitness, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. (3)
Just because someone looks fit, that doesn’t mean they actually are. I know a lot of people are discouraged about working out because they haven’t achieved the supermodel body that they’ve been yearning for. But the lifestyle of health and fitness embraces everyone, no matter their shape or size. Some individuals obsess on their physical appearance and numbers. They are motivated by their low self-esteem and criticism of their physical appearance. Ironically, this only harms your body further.
Sacrificing your happiness and rest in order to achieve further success in turn drives our body into burnout and illness. Fitness is a lifestyle. It is truly a spectrum of physical well-being that must balance our physical, emotional, and mental motivations. It’s when all these components of fitness are balanced that we get the most benefit.
Fitness is all about feeling healthy and being in sufficient shape to do the activities you want to do and live the lifestyle you want to live. Can you play with your kids or grandkids? Are you able to walk around to see all the sites in that favorite city of yours you’re visiting? If hiking up the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, can you do it? Do you have the energy to do the things you love, such as gardening, swimming, or traveling? Are you living your life confidently and happily?
At the end of the day, the last thing you want to be worrying about is your health, and instead, you should be constantly seeking ways to improve your life. Of course, you don’t have to undertake these life changes alone. Plenty of people just like you are trying to become a better version of themselves, and that is why I created Raza Fitness. Here, you’ll find a community of people you can connect to. This journey is a beautiful one, and thus I believe we as a community should embark on it together. So welcome, and let’s get started!
What first step toward your fitness journey are you going to take?
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