What is fitness, really?

The word 'fitness' is a pretty common word.  It readily conjures images of physical activity, most of which aptly so .  But taking one look at our "size-crazed" culture may give one pause:  What is 'fitness', really?  Fitness, or the "quality of being suitable", is a term often used synonymously for 'physical fitness' in society (an indication of our preoccupation with physical appearance perhaps?) and is often judged based upon the way one looks.

However, this doesn't truly get to the bottom of what physical fitness is as it relates to health.  And fitness as it relates to health and quality of life is what the general notion of human fitness entails.  It's the state of being more suitable for life (biologically speaking).  In order to approach fitness in a healthy way, one must first ask the question, "what is my goal?"  But instead of phrasing it that way, try answering this question instead: "What is it that I am trying to become more 'suitable' for?"  If your primary answer is anything about attracting a mate, making yourself look better, beating someone at something, etc., then your goal is not one of health, it is one of fitness as it relates to another arena.  Not to demean any of those goals (as they all have their own place), but it is important to realize that progress must be gauged against a goal and a goal must be clearly understood if it is to be achieved.

A goal of achieving a certain measure of health or a specific capability level in a given activity is always the healthiest and most productive way to approach fitness.  Remember to design your life around the goal of YOUR achievement and not upon the perceptions of others, and you'll be off to a great start!

Wisdom IV from Lord Percival

“The physically fit can enjoy their vices.” ~ Lord Percival

This touches on an important idea that I think many people out there may struggle with.  I've talked with many people before who talk about how hard it is to avoid certain foods or other kinds of guilty pleasures.  Every time they indulge themselves, they have that voice in the back of their head that tells them they shouldn't be eating that.  And that, in and of itself, causes additional stress in one's life.  This is probably an advantage leading that healthier lifestyle that often goes overlooked.  When you know you work hard to keep yourself healthy, thin, looking good, or whatever your goal is, it's easier to feel like that treat every once in a while is deserved.  It stops causing the stress that it once did and becomes truly a pleasure instead of a pleasure tainted with an internal struggle.  Assuming it's done in moderation, that is... ;)

Something to think about.

Inner Vigor Blog!

Hello to everyone whose internet adventures have led them my humble venture into the world of blogging!  I decided to start this blog because, simply put, I want to help people achieve the lives they want.  I think there are many people out there that might feel like they "could be so much happier if they could just........"  And then they can't finish the sentence because they can't quite put their finger on it.  And perhaps they even feel a little guilty because they always hear about the "starving Africans" or any one of the other infinite number of tragic situations in the world and think, "I'm so well off compared to that, but why can't I feel happier about it?"

Or maybe you know exactly what you want to change about your life.  But it's so hard to do it.  Or you aren't sure how to do it.

Well, whatever the case may be, there are always ways to improve your life.  And I want this blog to grow into a source of inspiration, new ideas, and support for all of you seeking to do just that.  Just as you all have, I have been through my own share of life experiences and have learned invaluable lessons from all of them. And I want to be able to share those experiences and lessons with others out there who may be feeling something similar.

I will be posting what I will call 'Wisdom IV's' (IV being short for Inner Vigor, not the roman numeral, and yes, a pun from the medical abbreviation of 'IV' (Intravenous)), symbolic of an injection of wisdom into your life that may help you think of or see something in a different way or maybe even turn your attention to something you'd never thought about before. 

I believe happiness is simply a result.  Something that is merely realized from leading the life you truly want.  Not something that is attained.  It is a simple thing that doesn't require lots of money or resources of any kind.  It just requires a little knowledge.  Mostly about yourself.  And a little bit of will.  With that, you might be amazed at how great life can be.

Also, please feel free to participate in this site as much as you want!  Guest posting will be strongly encouraged.  And if you feel like there could be any improvements made to how this blog is operated or presented, please let me know!