Many people use the terms health and fitness interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Understanding the difference is crucial to making good choices that lead to a healthy life.
The word “health” refers to the state of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It includes a wide range of factors, such as diet, sleep, stress management, and exercise. Fitness, on the other hand, refers to your ability to perform physical activities. Generally speaking, the more fit you are, the healthier you will be. However, you can be highly fit and still unhealthy. It is possible to have an extremely healthy diet and lifestyle but not be very physically active.
Achieving your health and fitness goals doesn’t have to be a stressful or difficult process. In fact, the process can be quite fun and rewarding if you approach it in a certain way.
To help you set and achieve the health and fitness goals that are most important to you, we recommend using a SMART framework to guide your journey. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. When creating your health and fitness goals, it’s also helpful to think about the “why” behind them. Your “why” is the core motivation that will energize you to keep going and reach your goals.
Endurance (Cardiovascular and Cardio-Respiratory Fitness)
This is your body’s ability to uptake and utilize oxygen, which feeds all the cells in your body. It is measured by a number known as your VO2 max. Exercises that improve endurance include brisk walking, running, swimming, and biking.
Muscular Strength and Endurance
This refers to your muscles’ ability to exert force or power. It is influenced by the type of muscle fibers you have in your muscles. Fast-twitch fibers contract quickly and burn up energy rapidly, which is why they are most often used for sprinting. Slow-twitch fibers, on the other hand, burn up energy slowly and can be found in your core muscles. They are usually whitish and are the best for endurance work.
Flexibility
This includes the range of motion of your joints and can be improved through exercises such as yoga or stretching. Balance
This is the ability to stay on your feet and not fall over. It is influenced by the types of exercises you do and can be improved through activities such as tai chi.
Speed
This is how quickly you can move, and it depends on your cardiovascular and muscular endurance, as well as your flexibility. You can increase your speed through exercises like jogging and swimming, and also by doing exercises that target your core strength and balance. The best way to get started with speed training is by taking it easy at first, and then gradually building up your pace as you gain confidence. You can even consider working with a coach to get you started. They can offer a tried-and-true course of action that will almost guarantee success!