Fitness
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Regardless of the many forms of fitness (even work-out video games) that we have available to us, many Americans are lacking an adequate amount of exercise to even maintain average fitness levels. New technology has made everything convenient, from drive through eating, to elevators, escalators, and automatic doors. These conveniences have encouraged a sedentary (let us call it what it is)-a lazy lifestyle. Even when picking up fast food, many vehicles will skip a fast food chain if the line has five or more cars to go to one with a shorter line. Americans are so accustomed to instant gratification that they cannot even wait for fast food.
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Remember! - The key to Fitness is making small changes one healthy habit at a time!
American Fitness
American fitness is very inadequate. The average American watches 3.5 hours of television a day. Sadly, fitness levels in children and young adults are the new medical focus. In the 1990’s participation in physical education (P.E.) in school decreased from 42 to 29 percent. Not surprisingly, one third of our children eat fast food daily and 15 percent of that group suffers from childhood obesity. Wanting instant results, many teenagers are now suffering from bulimia, anorexia, and even electing to have gastric bypass surgery.
Although more is known today than ever before about total fitness, young adults have increased risks of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Many Americans do not prioritize fitness until it becomes a problem.
A show was even inspired by American fitness levels. Pamela Peeke created a show called “Fit to Live” which simulates real-world crisis situations and portrays whether or not the contestants are fit enough to survive the life threatening scenario. Example episodes portrayed whether one could survive a car accident or could save a loved one from a lake. Sadly, individuals are not fit enough to save their own life.
Fitness Lifestyle
The idea behind a Healthy Living includes you to prioritize a fitness lifestyle. Do not work out to be a certain weight, a certain size, to tone your jiggly arms, or firm your behind…rather, work out to reap the benefits of exercise long-term. Healthy fitness levels boosts your basal metabolic rate (the number of calories your body burns), it regulates insulin and prevents fat storage, strengthens your immune system to prevent illness, decreases stress, aids your ability to rest and sleep, and prevents cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol.
Fitness Program
Which fitness program is the best for you? Try a fitness regime that interests you. It is also important to add exercise variety so you look forward to your workouts rather than dreading it .That way you will like what you are doing and you avoid workout rut.