Is Your Fitness Routine Making You Healthy?

Is Your Fitness Routine Making You Healthy?

Too often, people confuse being fit with being healthy. It’s easy to see why; if you’re running on the treadmill or lifting heavy weights, it seems like you must be getting healthier. But working out regularly doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re improving your health; in fact, it can cause some serious damage to your body if you aren’t careful about what exercises you choose and how hard you push yourself while doing them.

The Two Sides of Health

There are two main components to health: physical health and mental health. And while most people think they know what being healthy means, it’s important to understand what each of these two elements entails before you start taking on any new healthy habits. Physical Health: At its core, physical health refers to your body’s ability to perform physiological processes, like breathing, digesting food, and fighting off diseases.

Why Being Fit Doesn’t Make You Healthy

Many people think that just because they’re fit, they’re healthy. This isn’t always true. Just because you can run a mile without stopping doesn’t mean you’re eating healthily, managing your stress levels properly, or sleeping soundly at night. Oftentimes, a fit person won’t engage in proper habits that make him truly healthy.

How Does Being Healthy Make You Fit?

Health and fitness are not synonymous. To truly be fit, a person needs to be healthy—or at least be willing to take responsibility for their health. When was the last time you went to your doctor for a checkup? If it’s been longer than six months, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician today.

Exercise Is Not Enough

Fitness is usually defined as the quality or state of being fit. Being fit is simply a measure of how well your body responds to physical activity, and it doesn’t matter what kind. Some people are more naturally athletic than others and respond better to cardio or weight training, while others will feel better with yoga or tai chi.

If All Else Fails, Take Supplements

Supplements have become an incredibly popular way to enhance one’s health in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking to shed some weight, cleanse your system, or fill some gaps in your diet, supplements may be able to help—but beware. Taking supplements is not a substitute for proper nutrition; it is simply another option for adding something extra to your routine.

Addressing Obesity

Sure, weight loss is on almost everyone’s mind these days. But with obesity on track to be one of the leading causes of death by 2030—according to some estimates—it’s also more crucial than ever to stay fit and healthy. While we often focus on ways to lose weight fast and boost metabolism, it can also be helpful to address some common causes of weight gain: lack of sleep and over-consumption of sugar.