"Fit as a fiddle and in tune." This well-worn phrase has repeatedly been employed to describe someone who is in excellent health. Quite often, however, it is just an expression and does not always reflect an individual's actual health. Undoubtedly, all of us would like to enjoy the type of health intended by the expression. So, what can we do to be, "fit as a fiddle and in tune?"
Professionals in virtually every field tout the benefits of good physical fitness. Opinions vary widely as to how to achieve it. Some stress weightlifting as a means to maintain muscle mass and bone health. Others fear that weightlifting may exert too much stress on the muscles and have a negative impact on overall physical fitness. Team sports are frequently encouraged as means to maintain good physical health and at the same time enjoy healthy social interaction. Swimming has often been emphasized as a moderate means of keeping the body and its muscles adequately toned. More energetic sports, such as racquetball, are said by some to provide a good aerobic boost for the body, and thus contribute greatly to one's overall physical well-being. Jogging and running are two of the simplest and most economical means of having a regular routine of physical activity.
At the same time, some fear that running, especially long-distance running, may exert too much stress on the heart, or cause injury to the knees, ankles, or feet. With all the negatives and positives of various forms of physical exertion, what should one do? Since virtually everyone agrees that there are many benefits to maintaining physical fitness, the solution would lie in taking a balanced, moderate approach to exercise, and make sure that it is tailor-made for you.
That is why this article is entitled "Physical Fitness and You." There is no other human on the planet quite like you. So, when it comes to exercise, there can never be a "one size fits all" approach. Many experts recommend getting advice from your doctor before you embark upon any regular routine of physical exertion, especially if you are over a certain age. Others suggest hiring a personal trainer, who can assist you with exactly what you need to become physically well-fit, as well as how to achieve it. Regardless of how you decide to approach it, always remember that physical fitness is a personal matter. Along with diet and proper rest, physical exercise is a primary component of good health.
As in most things that are good for you, practice moderation. Find a program that works well for you. Of all the endeavors you pursue, this is one that should involve a high level of customization-just for you. Whether you decide to get professional assistance or advice or not, do your homework. Research the alternatives and the benefits, as well as the risks and dangers. Then, put your knowledge to use. Then, with assurance, when your are questioned about your health, you can confidently say, "I'm fit as a fiddle and in tune!"
Health - A State of Mind?
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) at its inception in 1948, is "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Of course, this definition may or may not measure up to what health entails in reality. But, for broad, general understanding, this definition will suit admirably. The term "health" here is taken as to refer to "good health".
Health can be grouped into three main categories:
Physical health
Most people assume that a person is wholly healthy if he is physically healthy, though this is far from the truth. A person is said to be physically healthy when he has adequate physical exercise, a good diet which supplies the required nutrition and also enough rest. The physical health of a person varies according to location, climate, heredity and other factors. Physical health, or rather the lack of it, has become a major problem for humanity across the world.
Mental Health
Mental health is linked closely to social well being. When a person is able to cope with all the stresses of life, is productive, is able to apply himself to the best of his ability and has a developed sense of self esteem, he can be referred to as mentally healthy.
Because of the fast paced lifestyle of today, a far greater number of people are facing mental health challenges than ever before.
Social well being
When a person has built strong relationships within the community, he enjoys emotional and mental support. This support system fosters a feeling a well being, and contributes to his mental health. If a person feels he belongs, he experiences social well being.
Only a combination of constant physical health, mental health and social well being can ensure that a person becomes and remains healthy.
Health can be grouped into three main categories:
Physical health
Most people assume that a person is wholly healthy if he is physically healthy, though this is far from the truth. A person is said to be physically healthy when he has adequate physical exercise, a good diet which supplies the required nutrition and also enough rest. The physical health of a person varies according to location, climate, heredity and other factors. Physical health, or rather the lack of it, has become a major problem for humanity across the world.
Mental Health
Mental health is linked closely to social well being. When a person is able to cope with all the stresses of life, is productive, is able to apply himself to the best of his ability and has a developed sense of self esteem, he can be referred to as mentally healthy.
Because of the fast paced lifestyle of today, a far greater number of people are facing mental health challenges than ever before.
Social well being
When a person has built strong relationships within the community, he enjoys emotional and mental support. This support system fosters a feeling a well being, and contributes to his mental health. If a person feels he belongs, he experiences social well being.
Only a combination of constant physical health, mental health and social well being can ensure that a person becomes and remains healthy.
The 3 Elements That Govern Our Health
An individuals health and well being is controlled by physical, emotional, and biochemical factors. To stay healthy we need to ensure that these three elements are in good order and balance. Most health problems that we have are controlled directly by these 3 areas working in tandem. Let us discuss them in more detail.
1. Biomechanical health covers the different chemicals and biological workings and processes of our body, including all of the factors that affect them, both internal and external. Biomechanical health covers everything from the working of our heart through to the enzymes in our stomach. They key human behaviour that controls all of this is diet. The food that we eat will directly affect our biomechanical health, in either a positive or negative way. If we eat do not get enough nutrition, or eat foods that are bad for us, our biomechanical health will suffer.
2. Physical health covers the physicality of our body, such as strength, the bones, muscles, organs and skin. The main behaviour which governs this aspect of our health is exercise. If we exercise regularly and properly, our physical health will improve. If we do not exercise, we will become weaker, and the physical side of our bodies will deteriorate. As a result, we may develop health complications directly related to this. If we want to stay healthy, we should exercise regularly.
3. Psychological health covers our mental and emotional well being. Excess stress, difficult emotional problems, and countless other psychological problems can directly affect our health in multiple ways. If we want to live a healthy and happy life, we should try to reduce stress and live a lifestyle that makes us content and at peace. If we fail to do this, our biomechanical and physical health can suffer as a direct consequence. Examples of this include heart attacks and strokes which are brought on by poor psychological health.
All 3 areas work together in balance. To rectify problems, we have to take into account all 3 areas. For example, to lose weight we have to diet, exercise, and reduce stress. Dieting involves improving our biomechanical health, exercise involves improving our physical health, and reducing stress involves improving our psychological health. By working on all three aspects of our health, we can deal with problems and achieve total health. Total health meaning all three aspects of our health and are in good order.
1. Biomechanical health covers the different chemicals and biological workings and processes of our body, including all of the factors that affect them, both internal and external. Biomechanical health covers everything from the working of our heart through to the enzymes in our stomach. They key human behaviour that controls all of this is diet. The food that we eat will directly affect our biomechanical health, in either a positive or negative way. If we eat do not get enough nutrition, or eat foods that are bad for us, our biomechanical health will suffer.
2. Physical health covers the physicality of our body, such as strength, the bones, muscles, organs and skin. The main behaviour which governs this aspect of our health is exercise. If we exercise regularly and properly, our physical health will improve. If we do not exercise, we will become weaker, and the physical side of our bodies will deteriorate. As a result, we may develop health complications directly related to this. If we want to stay healthy, we should exercise regularly.
3. Psychological health covers our mental and emotional well being. Excess stress, difficult emotional problems, and countless other psychological problems can directly affect our health in multiple ways. If we want to live a healthy and happy life, we should try to reduce stress and live a lifestyle that makes us content and at peace. If we fail to do this, our biomechanical and physical health can suffer as a direct consequence. Examples of this include heart attacks and strokes which are brought on by poor psychological health.
All 3 areas work together in balance. To rectify problems, we have to take into account all 3 areas. For example, to lose weight we have to diet, exercise, and reduce stress. Dieting involves improving our biomechanical health, exercise involves improving our physical health, and reducing stress involves improving our psychological health. By working on all three aspects of our health, we can deal with problems and achieve total health. Total health meaning all three aspects of our health and are in good order.
The Importance of Health and Physical Fitness
There are many different reasons why you need to pay attention to your health and physical fitness. You should always be cautious about your weight and staying in shape. There are many different ways that you can go about improving on your health and physical fitness. First let's talk about the benefits that you will have from being physically fit as opposed to being overweight or out of shape.
One of the first benefits you will get from being physically fit is that you will be much less likely to have bone and joint problems. People who are overweight put a large amount of strain on their bones and joints. This can lead to painful side effects. You should also look at the fact that you will be much less likely to suffer from illnesses such as heart disease. When you have extra weight on your body, more blood needs to be pumped out through your body. This can cause a large amount of strain on your heart causing it to becoming enlarged. You might also find that you will be more likely to have problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol if you are overweight.
You can work at maintaining good health and fitness using diet and exercise. You will find that doing things like cutting back on calories and using cardio exercising will aid you in being able to get into shape. It is also important to continue with exercise even after you achieve your goals. You might also want to try things like yoga to help you with your physical fitness.
Your health also involves not only your physical health but your mental health. You will need to be sure that you are looking after your mental health, like depression and stress. Stress can have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing. Stress can also cause your immune system to be low which will cause you do be sick more often from colds and flu.
All of these are reasons why you need to try to be in the best physical and mental state that you can. If you find that you are having trouble with your stress level or are having trouble losing weight, even with diet and exercise, then you might want to look at talking to your doctor to see if there is a deeper problem that might be causing these issues.
One of the first benefits you will get from being physically fit is that you will be much less likely to have bone and joint problems. People who are overweight put a large amount of strain on their bones and joints. This can lead to painful side effects. You should also look at the fact that you will be much less likely to suffer from illnesses such as heart disease. When you have extra weight on your body, more blood needs to be pumped out through your body. This can cause a large amount of strain on your heart causing it to becoming enlarged. You might also find that you will be more likely to have problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol if you are overweight.
You can work at maintaining good health and fitness using diet and exercise. You will find that doing things like cutting back on calories and using cardio exercising will aid you in being able to get into shape. It is also important to continue with exercise even after you achieve your goals. You might also want to try things like yoga to help you with your physical fitness.
Your health also involves not only your physical health but your mental health. You will need to be sure that you are looking after your mental health, like depression and stress. Stress can have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing. Stress can also cause your immune system to be low which will cause you do be sick more often from colds and flu.
All of these are reasons why you need to try to be in the best physical and mental state that you can. If you find that you are having trouble with your stress level or are having trouble losing weight, even with diet and exercise, then you might want to look at talking to your doctor to see if there is a deeper problem that might be causing these issues.
How Does Physical Health Affect Mental Health?
Believe it or not, physical health can have a large influence on a person's mental health. In fact, it is found that people who are more active and more physically fit tend to be happier people overall. While this may not be true for everyone, good physical health can certainly increase the chances of better mental health. Does this mean that better physical health can cure depression? Not necessarily. There are many different types of depression and different people suffer depression for different reasons. Some depression is genetic, some is caused by a traumatic event and for others there does not to be any specific cause for the individual to be suffering from depression. Good physical health is just another way for someone to lesson the chances of falling into a depression. For some, more exercise can actually help them with their depression because it gets them more active and allows less time for dwelling on things that bother the person. In fact, some have deemed exercise as a natural antidepressant.
Viewing exercise as a natural antidepressant, one has to wonder how this would affect the mind. Apparently, studies have shown that exercising increases activity in the hippocampus and the frontal lobes, releases endorphins in the body, as well as possibly increases the production of certain types of neurotransmitters that improve a person's mood. Studies and research is still being done to further the understanding of how exercising and improving an individual's physical health can positively influence the state of their mental health. Besides looking at exercise as a natural antidepressant and looking at other reasons why being more fit can actually improve a person's outlook on their selves, one has to think about the many other benefits of exercising that can make a person happier overall. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress after a long day and difficult day. It also helps get the body into better physical condition that can make a person look and feel more attractive. It will also help to reduce chances of developing diseases, such as any number of heart problems, cancers or diabetes, which can have a negative impact on an individual's mental health.
The more one thinks about it, the more they realize that the physical state of their body can have an incredibly large impact on their mental state. A person who is not in good physical condition have a tendency to feel more self-conscious of their selves or even have less confidence in their selves. This example clearly shows how a person's physical health can impact either positively or negatively on a person's mental health. While exercise is a great way to try and improve mood, confidence and avoid depression, anyone experiencing depression should still contact a therapist. Online therapy is available for anyone who needs to talk to someone who can help them work through their depression. Exercise is a decent treatment for some, but an online therapist can also greatly increase the chances of an individual getting rid of their depression. Many people with depression who have seriously wanted to improve their lives and get out of their depression have consulted an online therapist. Online counseling is so effective that most people who consult an online counselor or therapist are successfully.
Viewing exercise as a natural antidepressant, one has to wonder how this would affect the mind. Apparently, studies have shown that exercising increases activity in the hippocampus and the frontal lobes, releases endorphins in the body, as well as possibly increases the production of certain types of neurotransmitters that improve a person's mood. Studies and research is still being done to further the understanding of how exercising and improving an individual's physical health can positively influence the state of their mental health. Besides looking at exercise as a natural antidepressant and looking at other reasons why being more fit can actually improve a person's outlook on their selves, one has to think about the many other benefits of exercising that can make a person happier overall. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress after a long day and difficult day. It also helps get the body into better physical condition that can make a person look and feel more attractive. It will also help to reduce chances of developing diseases, such as any number of heart problems, cancers or diabetes, which can have a negative impact on an individual's mental health.
The more one thinks about it, the more they realize that the physical state of their body can have an incredibly large impact on their mental state. A person who is not in good physical condition have a tendency to feel more self-conscious of their selves or even have less confidence in their selves. This example clearly shows how a person's physical health can impact either positively or negatively on a person's mental health. While exercise is a great way to try and improve mood, confidence and avoid depression, anyone experiencing depression should still contact a therapist. Online therapy is available for anyone who needs to talk to someone who can help them work through their depression. Exercise is a decent treatment for some, but an online therapist can also greatly increase the chances of an individual getting rid of their depression. Many people with depression who have seriously wanted to improve their lives and get out of their depression have consulted an online therapist. Online counseling is so effective that most people who consult an online counselor or therapist are successfully.
I Have Discovered the Fountain of Youth
 |
| Happy to Be Almost 50!!!!!! |
I will be 48 this month and I will let you know that I have indeed discovered the Fountain of Youth…YEP!!! For some time now, I have been enjoying the benefits of this mighty fountain and I must say that it has helped maintain my now 48 year young self. Am I sitting around drinking secret shakes, popping youth pills, or strapping some contraption that shakes the literal crap out of me to keep me young…OH hell to the big NO WAY…I mean are you kidding me? In fact, I cringe every time I see ads that promise this type of thing…and the gimmicks that are invented…OH MY!
I am also NOT going to be one of those people who hide my age because of hearing this…”OH…you look so good…FOR YOUR AGE”…I just smile as I sometimes whip out my ID when I purchase a bottle of red wine for a special occasion. I look at life this way…it is an absolute honor to live each day, to celebrate every moment…and I have earned every smile line that adorns this face…so I will proudly announce that I am almost 50!!!!!! Whoo hoo…YEP…there, I said it. Now, getting back to my fountain of youth…I would have to say that it starts with my attitude about life. I am indeed a kid at heart, do not sweat the small stuff, Give my worries to God, and laugh as much as I can…my hubby makes sure of that…he is quite the jokester.
 |
| My Fun Healthy Self |
Ready for the next ingredients to my Fountain of Youth…a LIFESTYLE of health that consists of regular exercise, eating healthy foods, lots of water, rest and fun. YES…it is that simple. The fact is that the Fountain of Youth does not exist, but taking care of ME through a healthy lifestyle is definitely a close second, and I am good with that. There is nothing in a bottle or on a surgery table that will provide the youthfulness that living healthy does. Each day we get older…that is a fact and there is no alternative…in spite of all the gimmicks and surgeries…right? What I choose to do is live each day taking the BEST care of me physically, emotionally and spiritually…and that is what keeps me young. I will probably be dancing my literal pants off when I am 80 and still jumping in a few water puddles…lol. You see, It is all in how I think about life, and just because I am almost 50 does not mean I am going to put my backside on the couch, dress in frumpy clothes, and think life is half over….NO WAY! Each day, life is just beginning in my book, with all kinds of possibilities and undiscovered adventures. I want this body to be in the best shape for whatever adventure comes my way and that will take dipping into my Fountain of Youth every day.
 |
| FREEway to My Fountain of Youth |
Were you expecting something else from me? An ooh-la–la magic Darla potion that I will start marketing and available on shelves tomorrow…well, maybe in a way…because my magic is no secret and the best part…FREE. YES…my Fountain of Youth comes in the form of moving my body…FREE, sleeping…FREE, and of course, I buy my food so that is some cost to the fountain…but remember I look for the deals…so I will say DISCOUNTED. Now that I think further about it, I will share that the Fountain of Youth does come at the cost of my SWEAT…but that is still FREE…meaning my sweat. I should also say that it comes at the cost of physical work, the cost of commitment, the cost of dedication, the cost of planning, and the cost of cooking…but the cost is still FREE…do you get what I am trying to say. Taking care of ME and gifting myself this Fountain of Youth is a choice I make freely and happily…because I am almost 50 feeling 20 something on most days….and that my friends is PRICELESS!
 |
| Proud of YOU Eli |
I dedicate this blog to my fabulous son Eli as he graduates this month with his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in community mental health, Minor in Bible and Theology, and Addiction studies certification. This Mom is very proud!!! I Love You Son
 |
| Happy Mother's Day Mama!!! |
Happy Mother’s Day to My Mom…thanks for blessing me with your example of the importance of cooking/baking and gifting me with the passion that I now have to create the recipes that I so enjoy to share with family, friends, and online.
I Love you Mom…My Friend
Motivation of the Day: The Fountain of Youth Exists Freely Within Each of Us
 |
| Stay Healthy Carrot Cake |
My Workout of the Day:
ARC Trainer: Strength level 6 for 20 minutes (Interval)
30 minutes HIIT Training
My Nutrition of the Day:
Coffee (2 cups…oops)
1. Stay Healthy Date Oatmeal Cookies (2)
2. Post Workout Shake (The Works)
3. Corn tortilla filled with no salt black beans, shredded cabbage, and N/F Greek Yogurt
4. Grilled Salmon & Peppers
5. Stay Healthy Sweet Potato Brownie
IF YOU ENJOYED MY BLOG, LIKE IT, LEAVE A COMMENT, AND IF INSPIRED TO SUPPORT STAY HEALTHY FITNESS WITH A SHAKE DONATION…I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!
Darla;)
