By Dr. Joe Musolino
When you think of the word fitness what is the first thing that comes to mind?
If you’re like just about everyone else out there you probably think “exercise".
At least in the sense of physical exertion that gets the heart pumping. Working out. Going for a run. Pumping iron. Anything that taxes the body and increases cardiovascular endurance or muscle mass.
Physical fitness is essential to good health, but have you ever considered that fitness is more than just something that has a positive effect on your body? That it also affects the non-physical side of your health and wellness? Those things that you likely take for granted such as your mental well-being, emotional state and holistic health.
Have you ever wished that you can be that person that just seems to “get it” when it comes to living a truly healthy existence? And by “it” I’m talking about the key that unlocks a level of fitness that goes beyond going for a jog or being the only one at the 24-hour gym.
The true definition of whole person fitness includes sustained daily living of the following:
1. Two days a week of moderate-intensity resistance exercise
2. Five days a week of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity
3. Consuming a healthy eating pattern that accounts for all foods and beverages within an appropriate calorie level
4. At least 7 hours of high-quality of sleep a night for adults
5. Keeping stress levels at a manageable level through life balance and mindfulness
Notice how only the first two involve fitness as in physical exercise?
Most individuals who succeed in achieving all five of them will tell you that those first two are the easiest to start and maintain. Unfortunately, a lesser percentage can meet the other three on a sustained basis and therefore their health suffers. They never really reach whole person fitness.
Now you are probably asking yourself “What does it take to be that person”? Someone who truly embodies whole person fitness.
Most of us have tried to get in better shape, gone on a “fad” diet, or installed an app to help us manage stress at some point or another only to resort to our old, and comfortable, ways. Just the fact that you’ve given it a shot says a lot and that’s a start. But whole person health is a daily way of living and can only be achieved by doing all five of the things listed above.
It involves instilling healthy habits that become second nature and lead to optimal health and wellness. Habits that most of us struggle to achieve and maintain be it due to our upbringing, social influence, busy schedule, or maybe that we just don’t possess the ability to do it on our own.
Healthy Habits such as:
Being active and/or exercising daily.
Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
Getting the right amount of high-quality sleep.
Instilling techniques to keep stress and anxiety at a minimum such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation.
We may try as hard as we can but when left to our own devices, we never seem to get the job done right. There’s nothing wrong with accepting that you are not qualified or that it’s just too difficult (and time-consuming) to learn how to do it yourself. Not to mention that more than likely you don’t own the necessary tools in the first place. The tools that are necessary to call yourself a whole person health guru!
Wouldn’t it be nice if all those five things were easily available for you to have at your disposal?
A one-stop shop for your body and mind and all your health and wellness needs. A place that has the entire team on site to make whole person health a reality. That place is on its way and it’s on the cutting edge of health and wellness.
HealthFit is a center that offers small group and individual exercise programs, and a health care clinic with nutrition counseling, chiropractic, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation.
New Location in Arlington Heights Opening Early 2020
Learn how to achieve Whole Person Fitness with HealthFit!
Learn More www.healthfitmovement.com