| There are many words today associated with fitness. | | | | because our nation faces obesity problems of |
| Many of those terms are new for readers, and some | | | | epidemic proportions. |
| of the terms are interchangeable between fitness, | | | | Alternative therapies refer to the alternative medicine |
| wellness, and health. So lets take a minute to explain | | | | options such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, herbal |
| some of the terms you may see from time to time. | | | | cures, and holistic medicine. Of the examples given |
| Fitness is defined differently from different sources, but | | | | here, chiropractic and acupuncture are becoming more |
| the overall meaning of fitness is our ability to function | | | | widely accepted as complements to the traditional |
| with vigor and alertness throughout the course of our | | | | form of western medicine. Studies are conducted |
| day to day responsibilities. | | | | often that support the evidence that chiropractic care |
| Fitness refers to the condition of our physical body and | | | | and acupuncture are effective forms of medicine. |
| mental fitness would of course be addressing our | | | | Herbal cleansing and healing are terms used by many |
| mental state. Often we will join and participate in | | | | of the natural healers to describe what ingestion of |
| fitness centers that provide personal trainers, and | | | | certain herbal combinations can provide for the body in |
| stationary fitness equipment. There are numerous | | | | the effort to bring it back to optimal health, or to |
| pieces of equipment available that perform many | | | | sustain optimal health. |
| different exercises to address specific areas of the | | | | Exercise covers a lot of ground. There are so many |
| body. The best time to learn about this equipment is | | | | forms of exercise that we can only try to cover some |
| during the orientation session of the fitness center you | | | | of the more popular and well defined programs. There |
| have chosen. | | | | are aerobic programs that focus on heart rate and |
| Meditation, an exercise recommended for everyone, | | | | your cardio health. There are water aerobics that |
| but especially those of use with hectic, stressful | | | | again focus on your heart health. Weight training and |
| lifestyles, is defined as an engagement in | | | | free weights are used for building muscle mass, and |
| contemplation, especially of a spiritual or devotional | | | | sculpting the body. Walking is one of the best |
| nature. Meditation has been shown to be an effective | | | | exercises available, as it doesn't jar our bodies, but |
| method of lowering blood pressure, relieving stress, | | | | uses all parts for toning and building heart rate. Running, |
| and promoting overall good health, by simply reflecting | | | | swimming, jogging, and skiing are all forms of exercise, |
| upon our day, and finding happiness within ourselves. | | | | but not recommended for the novice. |
| For Christians, you can meditate on the word of God | | | | Today fitness is used not only in conjunction with |
| in the quiet early morning and feel the presence of | | | | health and wellness, but also fitness of the mind, body, |
| God and to communicate with HIM. | | | | and spirit. There is an ever increasing movement |
| Your nutritional needs refer to the physical | | | | among the health conscious citizens, that fitness should |
| supplements of vitamins, minerals and calories needed | | | | include not only our physical being, but our mental and |
| in order for you to sustain optimum physical health. | | | | spiritual fitness. |
| Much discussion is centered on this topic right now, | | | | |