Beyond Physical Fitness

CEBU, Philippines — It is not farfetched to say that while we are busy facing the odds and evens of modern living, our body may be shattering inside from work pressures and stressful events. And we know that it works to tire our body into forgetting our worries. We know that the healthy way to do it is to exercise.

And yet, we just won’t try to find a space within our days wherein to exercise. Everyone would swear to want to do it sometime, but hardly get to actually doing it. Lame excuses never run out – until the body itself will have reached a point where exercise is no longer possible.

There are those among us who earnestly want to get into an exercise routine. And they know that regular exercise is best paired with healthy eating habits. Just the same, these people don’t get to practice what they know because life conditions seem to connive against their plan.

And yet, truth is that any person in our modern society has the ‘means’ to lead a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, for instance, is not the exclusive privilege of the rich and famous with memberships to private fitness clubs. The same is true with proper diet; the healthier foods are often inexpensive.

What seems harder to come by is the willpower to get fit and healthy. Perhaps there’s need for everyone to be more motivated. Perhaps we – who have been procrastinating to start doing what we know to be good for us – should know more of the benefits to reap with a fit and healthy body, in order to finally conquer our lame excuses.

Obviously, a fit body is much easier to move around than a flab. More than simply making us unnecessarily heavier, excess weight also undermines our energy level. Lethargy tends to rise proportionately with weight.

As regular exercise dissipates the excess weight, there is lesser strain in carrying the body around. And, in fact, a lighter body tends to have more energy. There have been several studies to support this fact.

In the cells of the human body is a mini ‘powerhouse’ called mitochondria. Exercise helps promote the growth of new mitochondria, pumping more energy into body. The energy boost is not only useful in tackling physical tasks, but also in resolving mentally complex situations.

Doing physical exercise three times a week can do a lot for one’s intellectual and emotional wellbeing – even spiritual, some say. Those who practice it attest that regular exercise makes them feel more dynamic and joyful. And they are more productive; as they feel good and energetic, they tend to do more in less time.

If we want to stay well-balanced amid the stressful web of our modern life, regular exercise will help a lot. It can make us more upbeat, in both our feelings and outlook. It brings on positivity in us and make us easily able to cast to the sides any stressful, negative thought.

Exercise has been found to prompt the release of endorphins, the so-called “happy hormones.” With a joyful disposition, we spread happiness around us. In effect, our relationships with others improve, our view of life brightens up, and we are more relaxed.

Many active people say that regular exercise stretches their endurance. And they’re right. Say, we can do only 10 pushups at the start. The next time, we may be able to do two more, and another two more and so on, as we stick to the routine.

The enhanced physical endurance can have implications in other areas of one’s life. It can bring on an insight that any great challenge can be conquered – a little at a time. And then better self-confidence comes.

There’s actually more to a fit body than meets the eye. The good form and dynamic disposition are just façade. There’s more benefits beyond.