Fitness is a lifestyle
She makes it look easy, effortless. She was probably born that way right? Actually, no, probably not. Appearing fit is a byproduct of choosing health. Health is a conscious decision that has to be made daily, sometimes hourly or down to the minute. Once the decision is made to become healthy and the appropriate tools are acquired, steps are taken to form good habits, and then health becomes more of just who you are. Sounds simple, right? Well, the theory is simple. But it does require effort… and with the right guidance and support the journey is much less daunting. Weight loss is often equated with health and for many it is the first step toward fitness, so I will focus on that here. Everyone’s body is different and therefore requires different attention, but there are a few key factors that are vital to anyone’s health journey… I will share them below.
3 key factors contributing to heath and fitness
Calories in vs Calories Out
Believe it or not THIS is the underlying premise to ANY diet out there, even the trendy ones. Different diets achieve caloric deficits in different ways, some by eliminating an entire food group and some by limiting the amount time in a day you are allowed to eat… etc. But ultimately, in order to lose weight you must take in fewer calories than you expend, creating what we call a “caloric deficit”. Calories burned does not only refer to the calories you burn on the treadmill, but also the calories that your body requires to breathe, digest etc. The calories burned without conscious effort are your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) which is used to calculate your caloric needs and thus calculate an appropriate deficit needed to lose weight. So, if weight loss is the goal, what you eat (and don’t eat) is top priority.
Move your body and lift heavy things
Movement is vital to health and fitness. Cardio combined with resistance training provides numerous benefits to the body. Obviously cardio benefits the cardiovascular system and also increases your endurance. This type of exercise does not have to be torturous hours on an elliptical machine, it can be as simple as a brisk walk to start, progressing into jogging or riding a bike or swimming. The key here is to find something that you don’t dread, or better yet, that you like doing. Finding a friend to do it with helps too. If you are new to cardio exercise theres no shame in starting slow and progressing slowly, just be consistent! Another vital component of health and fitness is lifting weights. Resistance training not only builds muscle which burns fat long after the workout is over, but also is great for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis. Both types of exercise are super important and should be incorporated into the healthy lifestyle.
Be consistent and seek accountability
Change takes time. Changing your body takes time. Changing habits takes time. But trust me if you get on a good plan and stick with it, it is SO worth it. A good plan that is tailored to your needs, what you like to do, and fits into your daily lifestyle is priceless. This will help you to be consistent and ultimately achieve your goals. ALSO, sticking to a plan is easier if you have someone to check in with, someone to give you that little nudge when you feel like giving up or sitting out, someone that will encourage you and listen to your concerns. Again , health is not a light switch that you can flip on, but it is a combination of choices each day… that lead to habits… that lead to a healthy and fit lifestyle!
So, while it does take effort and commitment, just know that eating well, moving your body and taking care of yourself is beyond rewarding. You look and feel better, your confidence grows, you have more energy and less depression and anxiety, and you may even reverse health problems and/or eliminate the need for certain medications. Give it a try, you will thank yourself :)
