I am going to signal out the guys first. Just because you can lift 300 pounds does not mean you are fit. In fact, most of these individuals are severely overweight to obese based on BMI scales. Many weight lifters avoid real cardiovascular workouts, because they are "afraid of losing strength". This is code name for "too lazy to do real work." It is ironic to see guys walk around like they are inflatable, yet their only cardiovascualr activity comes in the form of a jog to their car if it is raining.

 

  I have news for you gentleman, you might lose strength off of your bench press by increasing your cardiovascular activity. However, you will also lose a much needed 10 to 15 pounds. You will move better on your feet and feel better. Your blood pressure will likely decrease. You will have more stamina, and I am sure your significant other will thank you. The best response I heard came a few days ago with a gentleman making excuses about why he doesn't run more. He stated that he "did not want his face to look all skinny." What a tragedy... to have a "skinny face."  

 

  I was once a member of this dubious "weight lifter" club and many of my friends still are. I could relate to this a few years ago. Now that I can see clearly, I do not have the extreme issues with my feet that I did before (due to weight). I am actually less injury prone at 205, 11 percent body fat than I was a 222 and 20 percent body fat. The funny thing is out of the six main muscle groups, my strength has only decreased in one of the areas. 

 

  Now on to the ladies, where do I start? Many ladies, my wife included love to watch celebrity gossip shows and read celebrity magazines. It is fascinating to see how these larger than life stars live, but for goodness sake do not compare yourself to these plastic women. There are so few healthy, fit, natural role models for women to look to.  

 

  Consider that many of these 39, 18, 42 sized women (obvious exaggeration) could not ride their bike to Starbucks to get a frappuccino if their Jaguar broke down. Do not let body image dictate your life! We all want to look a certain way, sure. What is the most important thing in life though? Isn't it life itself, prolonging it to be exact. Lead a healthy lifestyle, be active, eat right and I promise you will have a body that more than meets your standards. 

 

  This brings me to the concep of being fit. What is fit? Who determines what fit is? The obvious answer is that we are all the judges of our own fitness level. I can tell you that some of the most unhealthy people I know are rail thin. In addition, I know some incredibly athletic people that are on the heavy side. I read something recently on the subject that I thought was worth quoting. 

 

 "Our understanding of human fitness has unquestionably evolved. It went full circle from graceful Greeks to medieval Quasimodos to modern day Terminators. Having achieved the maximum in human muscles' (size and strength development) perfection, we can now see that the physical aspect of being fit is not the only one that exists and needs to be developed.

A truly fit person is in perfect synergy with his/her surroundings, moving gracefully in space and time regardless of the activity. A fit person is in perfect balance physiologically, psychologically and emotionally, mentally and spiritually." 

 

   Make your own definition of fitness. Decide what it means to you to be fit. Do not let pop culture or celbrities have an impact on what being fit means to you. Body size and level of fitness are two totally different things. 

 

Have a Fit-tatstic week!