Fitness Vs Health - Both Are Important But Are They The Same?

We as humans come in all shapes and sizes. (Short, Tall, Round, Slim, Muscular, Fat). Even the smallest of people could be extremely strong and someone overweight is often seen passing someone much thinner in a marathon. Being fit with a low body fat percentage or being able to bench 350 lbs ...We as humans come in all shapes and sizes. (Short, Tall, Round, Slim, Muscular, Fat). Even the smallest of people could be extremely strong and someone overweight is often seen passing someone much thinner in a marathon. Being fit with a low body fat percentage or being able to bench 350 lbs does not necessarily make someone healthy. Fitness by definition is The state of being physically active on a regular basis to maintain good physical condition. Healthy on the other hand can have several meanings.

• being free of illness and disease
• being able to do things well with high spirit and vigor and joy.
• being prosperous and productive in your ways and attitudes

The ideal situation is to achieve both. Having strong muscles or a high capacity of VO2 levels (maximum oxygen consumption) does not mean your digestive system is healthy or your skin is elastic or your immune system is strong. I understand that society in general has not taught us as a mass population to know the difference between the two. At 42 years old I still have to consciously and aggressively seek out the information I need on proper ways to exercise, the proper foods to eat, natural sources of healing, new discoveries in alternative medicine. These nuggets of wisdom will not be on the front page of the New York Times and they are not taught to every individual who indeed has a birthright to know.

What are some of the things we can do and terms we need to understand to have both fitness and health. I have many suggestions based on my own research and my own experiences to share. Following even half of these will turn you towards the right direction of having the most awesome health ever.

Understand the affect of Free Radicals

Free radicals are high-energy, very unstable chemical substances that accumulate in the body and are known to damage our cells, DNA, proteins and essential fats. They are highly reactive chemicals that attack molecules by capturing electrons and thus modifying chemical structures. Antioxidants will help get rid of these free radicals.

Antioxidants

Any substance that reduces oxidative damage (damage due to oxygen) such as that caused by free radicals. Examples (Raw Organic Cacao, Acai, Blueberries, Goji Berries, raspberries, Vitamin A, C and E).

Keep Your PH levels normal

PH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Our Liver and Kidneys attempt to maintain a blood PH of 7.4. Considering most foods that people eat and most water people drink are acidic (below 7.0 Ph), and also that stress causes us to become more acidic, it is no wonder our bodies are constantly using energy and resources to become more alkaline. I personally believe that maintaining an alkaline diet (Above 7.0) based on organic whole foods will prevent cancer.

Eat Organic Food

Organic foods are produced without the use of Pesticides, Fertilizers, Human waste or sewage.

Eat SuperFoods

Superfoods are foods considered by many health professionals to be amongst the healthiest in the world due to the fact that they are extremely nutrient dense (contain more nutrients than a comparable amount of another food) and are usually high in enzymes, phytonutrients, bioflavonoids, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and antioxidants. They can also possess anti-aging/longevity properties Examples (Goji berries, Cacao bean, Aloe Vera, Cinnamon, Garlic, resveratrol , Spirulina, Chlorella, Maca, Coconut oil, Flax seeds, Hemp seeds, Ginseng, Wheat grass, Bee pollen, Royal jelly, Avocados, Green tea, Spinach, Broccoli, Nettles, Pumpkin seeds, Parsley, MSM, Blueberries, Acai berry, Pomegranate, Figs, Holy Basil, and Vanilla bean).

Think Anti-Inflammatory

An anti-inflammatory is a substance used to reduce inflammation in the body caused by injury, stress, overuse, surgery, irritation or infection. There are a huge amounts of natural anti-inflammatories that I use during training. Inflammation in the body is one of our enemies. I personally like (mangosteen, enzymes (Bromelain, papain), Ginger, Aloe Vera, Omega 3 fatty acids, Organic MSM, garlic, and Vitamin C).

Think Enzymes

Enzymes are protein molecules that have various cellular functions. Digestive enzymes aid in the digestion of proteins (papain), fats (Lipase), and carbohydrates (Amylase). Enzymes also roam the body and reduce inflammation. Many health books do not address enzymes and many health products do not contain enzymes. I believe enzymes are critical to your health and may just be a key element in future nutritional products.

Probiotics

Take dietary supplements that contain "good" bacteria. Yogurt also contains some probiotic.

Understand Toxins

A toxin is a substance that becomes poisonous in living creatures. There are a huge amount of toxins which enter the body on a daily basis that can over tax our immune system, liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, lymph nodes, thyroid and digestive system. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and our belief system which creates stress, all cause toxins to accumulate in our bodies. There are a number of ways to detoxify the body. You can drink high PH ionized water; you can use grasses, herbs, roots, barks, fiber, etc. Everyone has a unique situation but I believe something to be consistent with everyone. We all eat, we all drink and we all breathe. This process by default will accumulate toxins in our system. There are many ways to incorporate ingredients and lifestyle changes which aid in the detoxification of our lungs, digestive system, liver, kidneys, etc.

• Increase the amount of Oxygen generating plants in your house such as Aloe Vera, Chinese Evergreens and Bamboo plants. Plants give off oxygen and take harmful carbon dioxide out of the air increasing the oxygen levels in your home. Plants are living energy and will grow with the presence of your positive energy towards them.

• Use a shower filter

• Filter your water using a reverse osmosis triple filtering system which also Ionizes the water

• If you drink bottled water look for High PH spring water such as Fiji 7.5 ph , Iceland Springs 8.0 to 8.5 ph or Evamore 9.0 ph

• Have access to organically grown vegetables or grow your own.

• Experiment with Sprouting of seeds. Sprouts are rich in chlorophyll and enzymes

• Work on reducing stress. Yoga, meditation, exercise 30 minutes daily to include strength conditioning, relaxation CD's, and deep breathing (Oxygen is extremely Alkaline)

• Avoid Cigarettes

• Avoid Coffee

• Avoid Alcohol

• Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup

• Avoid Aspartame

• Avoid Refined Sugars, Diminish intake of processed grains (both increase Insulin Levels)

• Avoid Partially Hydrogenated Oils

• To avoid stress introduce foods slowly and get rid of bad stuff slowly so your body adapts to the change. Your body will want more of the good stuff and less of the bad stuff as time goes on.

• Do your own research on the long term side affects of prolonged use of Antibiotics

• Avoid Microwaving

• Cook Less. Proteins and enzymes have been proven to be destroyed by the cooking process

• Research the long term affects on eating excessive non-organic meats and dairy products

• Take antioxidants before during and after extreme exercise

• Use natural or organic Shampoos, Body creams, toothpaste, Mouthwash, Sunscreen, Soaps and repellants. All these products go into your bodies. (Would you eat them?)

• Eat smaller amounts of food several times throughout the day (4 to 6).

• A general rule is drink half your body weight in water during the day. More if you are extremely active and slightly less if you are sedentary. Many people sit behind a desk all day drinking water and go to the bathroom 10 times during the day. Your body is doing its best to eliminate the excess water and in the process minerals are leached from your already mineral deficient body

• Learn about Colonics, the harmfulness of Candida, and Brain Chemistry (Serotonin, Dopamine)

• Get at last 15 minutes of sun per day.

• Avoid large fish which may carry Heavy Metals. You think fish are good for you? Then eat what they eat! Seaweed and Algae such as Spirulina, Blue Green Algae, Chlorella, Dulse and Kelp

• Consider getting rid of Silver fillings which contain mercury

• Music affects us on a cellular level. Listen to more music

• Smile, be joyful and have the most fun and awesome day ever!! You may be eating something organic but if you are stressed out it goes down like poison

You can take this to any level you want.

Level A - Xtreme Health™

Follow all the suggestions in this article over the course of the next several months.

Level B - Much better than most people.

Begin to push the toxins out of your body by eating organic and excercising by doing a sport that you love.

Level C - A step above what you're doing now.

Eat Organic 1 day a week, exercise 3 days a week, eliminate or at least reduce high fructose corn syrup hydrogenated oils and other processed sugars. Check your closet and the ingredients on your foods and discard the bad stuff.