I thought I’d send my first official newsletter on a subject that brings a lot of confusion. I constantly receive diet requests to become “fit”, but does being fit mean that you are healthy? Is being fit the only thing that matters?
The answer to those questions is no. So, what’s the difference and why should it matter?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical fitness is defined as ‘the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and respond to emergencies’. This does NOT mean “health”.
On the other hand, the definition of health is ‘the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit and freedom from physical disease or pain’.
As you can see, being healthy includes everything we do in our lifestyle and within the context of wellness. Healthy people have a strong immune system, healthy body weight, high energy level, good relationships, increased longevity, lower stress level, good social health, emotional well-being and overall a better quality of life. Being fit means that you are flexible, toned, and have strength and endurance. So you can be fit but not necessarily be healthy, and you can be healthy but not necessarily be fit. Where do we want to be? We want to be fit AND healthy. You feel me?
The terms are constantly being used interchangeably. When it comes to “fitness” a person may be active, have strength, optimal cardiovascular capacity and minimal fat accumulation in the body. He or she may be eating egg whites, chicken breast, and broccoli every day, be miserable, and assume to be “healthy” because they are “fit”. However, there may be some crucial components missing to truly be “healthy” and enjoy the umbrella of wellness. Depriving the body from so many vitamins and minerals will cause you to be fatigued and probably get sick often, this is not health. The movement of oxygen from exercising does contribute to the well-being of someone but it is not the only factor that influences true health.
If a person is constantly stressed, tired, having negative thoughts and emotions, having bad relationships, and little social engagement, or if a person eats too many acidic foods, too many chemicals, or even if someone does not know how to relax and breathe deeply, this person may not be truly “healthy”.
This is why I believe we need to be “fit AND healthy”, this is called “wellness”. We need to be balanced in life. We want to be “fit” but we should become fit while also being healthy in body, mind, and spirit.
Now can I help you be “fit AND healthy”? I certainly will try! Throughout my blog posts and recipes I will help you become fit while also being healthy. This is true balance and true wellness.
Stay Balanced!
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