Back to fitness

CEBU, Philippines - Now that the very long holidays are over, it is time to start shedding off the extra pounds and sideward inches gained from the rich holiday meals. Doing exercise is a good start. Those whose fitness routines have been suspended due to the series of celebrations may now get back on the healthful track.

The popular saying "Health is wealth" is true. The quality of one's life experience is largely dependent on his state of health. Material wealth is nothing when one is not in good physical condition to enjoy it.

Good health means not only a state of absence of disease in the body but a complete physical, mental, social as well as spiritual wellbeing. For instance, a fit body - well-toned muscle mass in the right places - is not only easy to carry around, but good to see as well. Hence, it boosts self-confidence.

Today's intense livelihood activities would seem to make it difficult for people to do physical exercise, especially those holding office jobs. Fortunately, fitness consciousness has also become part of the modern lifestyle. There are nowadays fitness centers dotting the city - ranging from down-to-earth neighborhood gyms to high-end fitness clubs.

There used to be a time when people didn't need to go out of their ways to keep fit. Work then was different, very physical. Even office-bound employees had enough physical exercise just by going about their usual days.

There were less electrical appliances, less cars and other comfort-and-convenience amenities. Life was less automated, and people really had to move about to get things done. They walked a lot, climbed stairs, did chores manually.

If they wanted to discuss matters with a neighbor, they went to the neighbor's house. If they wanted a certain information, they went to the nearest public library. There were no phones to do the walking for them, no internet to surf from the comfort of the couch in the living room.

It's different these days. Almost everything is available at a click of the finger. There's even no more need to go to the market for basic necessities. It's all in the internet and delivered right to everyone's doorsteps.

It's interesting to note where the so-called "progress" is taking the human race. It invents excessive comforts and conveniences that allow people to just sit there and things still get done. But there is another side to this.

The abundance of unnecessary comfort foods that also come with progress conspired with sedentary lifestyles to create health problems. Various illnesses seem to be more common today than in the past. The situation is compounded by the rat-race in every area of human endeavor.

Stress makes people unhealthy and their lives miserable. Incidentally, physical exercise has been found very helpful in relieving stress. And health experts say attaining physical fitness does not really require working out in the gym or membership in a fitness club. Exercising can be fitted into one's regular days - walking, doing menial chores etc.

Of course, overall health requires eating right, too.