What is Fitness?

Well I've finally done it...I've started a blog. So many clients have asked similar questions that I realized that even with all the information available at their fingertips, people are confused by contradictory information or don't understand how to apply the information they read. So I thought I'd add my $0.02 and create more confusion ;-)

Seriously, I want to help explain information about fitness, fat loss and maybe wander into some other areas as well. Having trained over 500 clients during the past 8 years, obtaining a Master's degree in Exercise Science and continuing to spend 5-10 hours a week reading and researching I think I've learned a few things. I certainly won't claim to have all the answers but maybe I've got a few you need.

You may not agree with everything you read on this blog and that's okay...at the very least I hope to stimulate your critical thinking. I've also had many people ask me how I train and what I eat so I'll use this blog to share this information as well.

My whole approach to training, both myself and my clients, is based on my definition of fitness. Simply, fitness is your body's ability to allow you to live the life you want to live. Whether you want to run a marathon, squat 900 lbs., or have more energy to run after your grand kids and have the strength to pick them up doesn't matter. If your body is stopping you from doing what you want then you don't have the level of fitness you need.

In a similar vein, health can be viewed as a broader quality that involves emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects in addition to the physical. Health is simply the ability of your mind, spirit and body to allow you to live the life you want to live. Do you have the mental capacity to do what you want? Are you emotionally able to create the life you desire? Do you have the spiritual awareness to bring consciousness to what you do?

With these definitions we can explain the paradox of being physically fit yet unhealthy. Athletes can often fall into this trap. When a sport (or any activity) becomes an obsession, health will become compromised (which in turn will affect your fitness).

So as a starting point, decide what it is you want your body to do and what you want it to look like. Maybe you want fat loss. Maybe you want to get rid of your chronic back pain. Maybe you want to run a 50 mile race - yes some people actually want to!

Whatever it is, make a decision and then go about building the level of fitness you need to bring about your goals.

C.