Fitness

Physical fitness isn’t just for athletes and bodybuilders. It isn’t limited to young adults. It isn’t about who has the best “Abs.” And it isn’t limited to people without any type of disability. Fitness is about health and wellness regardless of your age and ability level. Maintaining the degree of fitness that you are capable of increases your cardiovascular system, relieves stress, improve bone and muscle strength, increase respiratory functioning, and adds healthy years to your life.

Everybody knows that certain things are “bad” for you, such as smoking, drinking alcohol excessively, using illegal drugs, and having unprotected sex. For example, a twenty-five year-old woman who is addicted to methamphetamine has the physical appearance of a seventy year-old woman who is terminally ill. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread from homosexuals and drug addicts to affluent, professional heterosexuals; it’s now an equal-opportunity killer. More people are able to stop using heroin and cocaine combined than people who successfully stop smoking. Fatal injuries from drunk driving is the #2 killer of teenagers; #1 is suicide. These are all preventable conditions, and achieving an adequate fitness level can help reduce their devastation.

Fitness is about eating well, exercise that matches your ability, sleeping well, and recreation. Moving your muscles and joints to gain strength, agility and range of motion is easy to achieve. Cutting back on “junk food” and over-processed packaged food increases your nutrition and keeps your weight under your control. This section will help you learn to do these things; you have everything to gain and nothing to lose!