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