2008 Woodie Awards
Exercise provides opportunities for experimentation
Busy Bodies
Issue date: 5/1/08
What does it mean to you to be fit? By definition fitness means to be suited for, to be capable of completing a task. You can be fit to pass your chemistry final or fit to run a marathon. Although, these two examples are on different ends of the spectrum they both require you to put in the necessary work to complete the task and leave you with a sense of achievement.
When it comes to exercise it's the same thing - you put in hard work, and even though it was tough, you're glad you did it when it's over. The physical benefits of exercise are obvious- greater strength, more muscle tone, reduction of body fat levels, weight management, but often times our society puts too much emphasis on the vanity results of exercise.
In terms of health, fitness means to achieve optimal health not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. I often tell my clients that it's important to not only set goals for yourself regarding the way you look in the mirror, but also set goals that allow you to achieve something physically you thought you could never do like run a 10K road race. Losing ten unwanted pounds can give you a sense of achievement, but completing a race can do that and more.
Too often I hear, "I could never do that." My first response is, "have you ever tried?" How can you achieve physical fitness and meet those goals if you're not emotionally and mentally fit? Fitness is a package deal. You have to believe that you can.
The great thing about exercise is that each workout presents you with a challenge and opportunity to gain confidence. It may be a challenge to get out your front door or the final minutes may be difficult, but once completed you've succeeded and met your goal. Then you build on that. Next time you go a little bit longer or a bit harder, not only is body adapting and changing due to stimulus, but your mindset is changing as well.
My philosophy is not to workout, but to train. If you change your focus from trying to achieve a certain weight or physical appearance to accomplishing a goal like making a team or completing a race you can reap many benefits, and an improved physical appearance is just icing on the cake.
When it comes to exercise it's the same thing - you put in hard work, and even though it was tough, you're glad you did it when it's over. The physical benefits of exercise are obvious- greater strength, more muscle tone, reduction of body fat levels, weight management, but often times our society puts too much emphasis on the vanity results of exercise.
In terms of health, fitness means to achieve optimal health not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. I often tell my clients that it's important to not only set goals for yourself regarding the way you look in the mirror, but also set goals that allow you to achieve something physically you thought you could never do like run a 10K road race. Losing ten unwanted pounds can give you a sense of achievement, but completing a race can do that and more.
Too often I hear, "I could never do that." My first response is, "have you ever tried?" How can you achieve physical fitness and meet those goals if you're not emotionally and mentally fit? Fitness is a package deal. You have to believe that you can.
The great thing about exercise is that each workout presents you with a challenge and opportunity to gain confidence. It may be a challenge to get out your front door or the final minutes may be difficult, but once completed you've succeeded and met your goal. Then you build on that. Next time you go a little bit longer or a bit harder, not only is body adapting and changing due to stimulus, but your mindset is changing as well.
My philosophy is not to workout, but to train. If you change your focus from trying to achieve a certain weight or physical appearance to accomplishing a goal like making a team or completing a race you can reap many benefits, and an improved physical appearance is just icing on the cake.
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