In Persuit of Fitness
I'm positive that no-one will disagree with me when I make the statement that 'Our wellness is essential to our lives'. When we are feeling well, it means we are fit in a specific area. Complete fitness does not mean we have the body of a Greek God; it means we are fit in 5 aspects of our lives.
These five are as follows:
1) Intellectual Fitness.
2) Physical Fitness.
3) Emotional Fitness.
4) Social Fitness.
5) Spiritual Fitness.
It is my personal believe that being fit in these 5 categories lead to a meaningful and pleasant existance. To lack in one of these area's is to drag down the others, and prevent yourself from reaching your pure potential.
1) Intellectual Fitness
It pains me to see fellow peers who murmur on about Laguna Beach, or the latest movie star, WITHOUT ever talking about arts, sciences, philosophy, etc. Now I'm not saying you're not intellectually healthy if you talk about movies (I'll be caught doing the same from time to time), but if the only time you use your cognitive skills is to decide whether to watch MTV or VH1... Well, I don't believe you are intellectually fit.
I remember when I used to think I was a smarty pants, and then I got into college. I took completely sporadic classes (Psych, Business, Public speaking, Religion, Humanities, etc) and I was amazed at how much I took in. I received such a wonderful intellectual spark that it took my existance to a new level. Being able to discuss theology, politics, and other stuff that actually matters is a wonderfully fulfilling experience. It depresses me that fellow students drag themselves through college (and life), without really taking the time to admire the invaluable knowledge presented to them. It truely leads to a intellectual fitness.
2)Physical Fitness
Next we have my best friend Alex's favorite. Most of us are not in shape (lets be honest). Most fo you that think you are, actually are not. I'll be quite blunt to anyone. If a girl asked me if she's fat, I'll be quite honest (but extremely polite). Why? Because I believe that physical health is drasticly important. It effects everything; from the way we see ourselves, to the motivation we put behind our work, to the way we perceive life. The body was not made to consume fats. God made woman and man so beautiful that its our jobs to express his creativity. This doesn't mean everyone will be models, but it means we need to achieve our bodies level of fitness (I've seem big people who are healthier than some of my best friends).
Just look at how the body works. It isn't very efficient in burning fats or calories to begin with. Want an example?
You run/jog/walk for 12 minutes. After your workout you walk to a soda machine, and quench your thirst with a pepsi. Guess what? You probably burnt 100-150 in those 12 minutes, while you packed on 200 in 2 minutes. Madness huh?
And ladies it gets worse. You may think you look good in bikinis, but the fibers in your bodies begin to loosen around age 23-25. You know what that means? Things that used to be upright and tight to begin with (yeah I'm talking about boobs and flab), well, sag. Your matabilism begins to slow down. Did you know that 1 out of every 3 americans are overweight? Thats madness!
Did you know working out 3 days a week increases life expectancy for 10 more years!. Thats most definately a reason to work out (next to the increase in self-esteem, stamina, endurance, body results, prevention od diseases, stress reliever, etc)!
If you have question on eating, or working out, please contact me. It pains me to see my fellow peers in ill shape, knowing that it will only get worse when their metabolisms slow down (Age 22 for women, 25 for men). If your not in shape now, the sad news is you'll be in much worse shape tomorrow.
Another interesting fact: When you stop working out consistently, you loose 1-3% of your healthy status. That means Armstrong, one of the fitess guys in the world, will be reduced to an unhealthy state in merely 3-4 months of not working out!
One more: People who work out and lose weight fail 95% of the time. Only 5% of Americans loose weight and keep it off.
3) Emotional Fitness
Emotional fitness is all about the "ability to deal with stress, to maintain a positive self-concept and to adapt to changes in life". In my opinion, this can all be controlled by maintaining fitness in other fields: such as Spiritual, Social, and Physical. Its a known fact that your body releases endorphines after a workout. These endorphines basically numb and relax your body, greatly reducing stress and anxiety. Also, laughter is shown to greatly reduce blood pressure, which all could come from a healthy social life and friends network. Also, spirituality plays a great role. Having convidence in a God, and having a consistent prayer life greatly prepares one for tragic or fatal events.
4) Social Fitness
Social fitness is the "ability to develop meaningful relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and others in the community". When asked for someones greatest fear, you'll come to learn that many will reply with "being alone". None of us like alienation, and theres obvious reasons to this. Not having a support group can be devastating when you're introduced to tough problems. It can also cause massive damage on your peer-to-peer people skills, and your self esteem. I'd suggest joining a church family, as I've personally learned that theres no friends like physical/spiritual ones. Sadly the huge majority of my friends from HS never call me, or check up on me (I know his is the same for all of you). They're perplexed when I send them Ims or emails. I was rather popular, and I'll admit to only retaining 3-4 meaningful friends from HS. Either way, your social life actually does have an effect on your personality and overall fitness.
5) Spiritual Fitness
Oooo, my favorite. As you all know, I have found no greater joy than having a relationship with Christ. Some laugh and mock me, claiming I'm ignorant, but if they could only for a split second feel the joy that accompanies a relationship with the creator of all. In my opinion, understanding the physical and spiritual world through faith makes you more open minded than explaining spirituality and the unconcious via material explanations.
Either way, It's been such a fulfilling and enriching experience that I can in no way repay Him (which is one reason I'm going to spend my entire life serving and trying). I've noticed that my overall fitness relates to my spiritual relationship with Him. When I'm not in Gods word, or placing things before my prayer life, I'm not as joyful as I could be. I am clearly not at my potential when I try to exclude God from anything. Sure I've questioned my religion. A reason I'm a religion major is to develop enhanced critical thinking skills and further test my faith. However, before every attack from an athiest, or a follower of Islam, I've learned that my spirituality is what really matters to me. In a second, my spirtuality reigns over the other fitness fields. My knowledge and wisdom of God can develop all the other categories I've mentioned earlier. Its given me direction and purpose in life. Its softened my heart, and gave me a relentless love for humanity and nature. It is for this reason, my personal joy at being spiritually healthy, that I stress its importance.
To keep all 5 of these at their prime is extremely relevant to the overall satisfaction we have with being who we are. We need to develop intellect, wisdom, physical health, ways to deal with stress, social networks, and spiritual guidance.
Reason this post was created
The reason I created this post was simple: If you feel depressed, upset, or not satisfied, please review these 5 areas in your life. If you find that you are unhealthy in one aspect, by all means I ask you to work on it and contact me. It is my duty as a servant of God and your friend to help you all reach your potential.
I am open to offering physical fitness advice, or spiritual advice (it edifies me in ways you wouldn't understand). So as a servant, I offer myself to help any of you in any way I can.
With that I offer Almighty Gods Blessings, and hope you can achieve fitness.
Good Luck!
-Leonard O
These five are as follows:
1) Intellectual Fitness.
2) Physical Fitness.
3) Emotional Fitness.
4) Social Fitness.
5) Spiritual Fitness.
It is my personal believe that being fit in these 5 categories lead to a meaningful and pleasant existance. To lack in one of these area's is to drag down the others, and prevent yourself from reaching your pure potential.
1) Intellectual Fitness
It pains me to see fellow peers who murmur on about Laguna Beach, or the latest movie star, WITHOUT ever talking about arts, sciences, philosophy, etc. Now I'm not saying you're not intellectually healthy if you talk about movies (I'll be caught doing the same from time to time), but if the only time you use your cognitive skills is to decide whether to watch MTV or VH1... Well, I don't believe you are intellectually fit.
I remember when I used to think I was a smarty pants, and then I got into college. I took completely sporadic classes (Psych, Business, Public speaking, Religion, Humanities, etc) and I was amazed at how much I took in. I received such a wonderful intellectual spark that it took my existance to a new level. Being able to discuss theology, politics, and other stuff that actually matters is a wonderfully fulfilling experience. It depresses me that fellow students drag themselves through college (and life), without really taking the time to admire the invaluable knowledge presented to them. It truely leads to a intellectual fitness.
2)Physical Fitness
Next we have my best friend Alex's favorite. Most of us are not in shape (lets be honest). Most fo you that think you are, actually are not. I'll be quite blunt to anyone. If a girl asked me if she's fat, I'll be quite honest (but extremely polite). Why? Because I believe that physical health is drasticly important. It effects everything; from the way we see ourselves, to the motivation we put behind our work, to the way we perceive life. The body was not made to consume fats. God made woman and man so beautiful that its our jobs to express his creativity. This doesn't mean everyone will be models, but it means we need to achieve our bodies level of fitness (I've seem big people who are healthier than some of my best friends).
Just look at how the body works. It isn't very efficient in burning fats or calories to begin with. Want an example?
You run/jog/walk for 12 minutes. After your workout you walk to a soda machine, and quench your thirst with a pepsi. Guess what? You probably burnt 100-150 in those 12 minutes, while you packed on 200 in 2 minutes. Madness huh?
And ladies it gets worse. You may think you look good in bikinis, but the fibers in your bodies begin to loosen around age 23-25. You know what that means? Things that used to be upright and tight to begin with (yeah I'm talking about boobs and flab), well, sag. Your matabilism begins to slow down. Did you know that 1 out of every 3 americans are overweight? Thats madness!
Did you know working out 3 days a week increases life expectancy for 10 more years!. Thats most definately a reason to work out (next to the increase in self-esteem, stamina, endurance, body results, prevention od diseases, stress reliever, etc)!
If you have question on eating, or working out, please contact me. It pains me to see my fellow peers in ill shape, knowing that it will only get worse when their metabolisms slow down (Age 22 for women, 25 for men). If your not in shape now, the sad news is you'll be in much worse shape tomorrow.
Another interesting fact: When you stop working out consistently, you loose 1-3% of your healthy status. That means Armstrong, one of the fitess guys in the world, will be reduced to an unhealthy state in merely 3-4 months of not working out!
One more: People who work out and lose weight fail 95% of the time. Only 5% of Americans loose weight and keep it off.
3) Emotional Fitness
Emotional fitness is all about the "ability to deal with stress, to maintain a positive self-concept and to adapt to changes in life". In my opinion, this can all be controlled by maintaining fitness in other fields: such as Spiritual, Social, and Physical. Its a known fact that your body releases endorphines after a workout. These endorphines basically numb and relax your body, greatly reducing stress and anxiety. Also, laughter is shown to greatly reduce blood pressure, which all could come from a healthy social life and friends network. Also, spirituality plays a great role. Having convidence in a God, and having a consistent prayer life greatly prepares one for tragic or fatal events.
4) Social Fitness
Social fitness is the "ability to develop meaningful relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and others in the community". When asked for someones greatest fear, you'll come to learn that many will reply with "being alone". None of us like alienation, and theres obvious reasons to this. Not having a support group can be devastating when you're introduced to tough problems. It can also cause massive damage on your peer-to-peer people skills, and your self esteem. I'd suggest joining a church family, as I've personally learned that theres no friends like physical/spiritual ones. Sadly the huge majority of my friends from HS never call me, or check up on me (I know his is the same for all of you). They're perplexed when I send them Ims or emails. I was rather popular, and I'll admit to only retaining 3-4 meaningful friends from HS. Either way, your social life actually does have an effect on your personality and overall fitness.
5) Spiritual Fitness
Oooo, my favorite. As you all know, I have found no greater joy than having a relationship with Christ. Some laugh and mock me, claiming I'm ignorant, but if they could only for a split second feel the joy that accompanies a relationship with the creator of all. In my opinion, understanding the physical and spiritual world through faith makes you more open minded than explaining spirituality and the unconcious via material explanations.
Either way, It's been such a fulfilling and enriching experience that I can in no way repay Him (which is one reason I'm going to spend my entire life serving and trying). I've noticed that my overall fitness relates to my spiritual relationship with Him. When I'm not in Gods word, or placing things before my prayer life, I'm not as joyful as I could be. I am clearly not at my potential when I try to exclude God from anything. Sure I've questioned my religion. A reason I'm a religion major is to develop enhanced critical thinking skills and further test my faith. However, before every attack from an athiest, or a follower of Islam, I've learned that my spirituality is what really matters to me. In a second, my spirtuality reigns over the other fitness fields. My knowledge and wisdom of God can develop all the other categories I've mentioned earlier. Its given me direction and purpose in life. Its softened my heart, and gave me a relentless love for humanity and nature. It is for this reason, my personal joy at being spiritually healthy, that I stress its importance.
To keep all 5 of these at their prime is extremely relevant to the overall satisfaction we have with being who we are. We need to develop intellect, wisdom, physical health, ways to deal with stress, social networks, and spiritual guidance.
Reason this post was created
The reason I created this post was simple: If you feel depressed, upset, or not satisfied, please review these 5 areas in your life. If you find that you are unhealthy in one aspect, by all means I ask you to work on it and contact me. It is my duty as a servant of God and your friend to help you all reach your potential.
I am open to offering physical fitness advice, or spiritual advice (it edifies me in ways you wouldn't understand). So as a servant, I offer myself to help any of you in any way I can.
With that I offer Almighty Gods Blessings, and hope you can achieve fitness.
Good Luck!
-Leonard O