This past Tuesday evening, we had a lively discussion at our 2nd Fitness in the Round meeting.  As a healthcare practitioner, I always find it a privilege to be able to assist others to reach their health goals, as there are few things in life as precious as one’s health.  Every single day I find that more people are beginning to truly realize this and further understand that their health is their own responsibility and nobody else’s. A tremendous amount of power exists in that belief because it puts you back in the center, bringing with it the freedom to explore a wide variety of healing options.  That sense of empowerment alone is enough to initiate a change for the better. 

During our discussion on the topic of nutrition, a participant commented on the fact that it seemed like every 5 years or so, the common dietary advice flip-flops which had left him and his wife in a state of confusion over what to do to improve their health. And it’s true, the days of eating low-fat were replaced by eating low-carb and nowadays there just seems to be such confusion that people do not know where to start. I understood where he was coming from, because even what I learned in my education as standard nutritional theory not too long ago has ended up being quite different from the way I practice today. Research and interest in nutrition as a viable medical tool has exploded in the last few years, and I hope to contribute through my work, something valuable to the public and help smooth out the wrinkles to lessen the confusion.

For starters, we are learning that we need to treat individuals – as individuals! You have unique needs when it comes to eating right, exercising right, and developing your fitness. You have a certain genetic background and have had a certain upbringing with a unique health history; you are male or female, are of a certain age, and have a distinct personality. All of these elements – social, cultural, biological – come into play when adopting a lifestyle that is best suited to your health. There can never be a one-size-fits-all approach, simply because there is not just one size. That’s the whole idea behind our comprehensive approach here at the Spa.

We also spoke about just what health and fitness mean and how different they really are. In reading a fascinating book by Dr. Doug McDuff, MD called Body by Science, I gathered a new appreciation for these two interrelated concepts. I thought I would mention them here because this has to do with our purpose behind Fitness in the Round.

Fitness can be viewed as a state of being physically capable of handling challenges above a state of rest.  So, how fit you are depends on how far your body can be challenged without injury.  This is of course beneficial because there are many things you need to do in life that is challenging, and being fit makes you more resilient and better equips you to meet those challenges.  Symptoms like fatigue are like an injury, which means you have been pushed too far beyond a baseline state of rest.  The question is, are symptoms like these quick to appear, after even comparably small efforts?  You cannot take these signs lightly, as they are the first warning lights that come letting you know your body is out of balance and needs some care and attention.

Health is more or less the general condition of a person in all aspects.  At the time of the creation of the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1948, health was defined as being “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.  I like that definition, as it speaks of wellness and vitality, the positive nature of life.

Now this is where exercise comes in, as exercise can be viewed as any activity that challenges the body to achieve a greater level of fitness.  So the body adapts to the stress of exercise by becoming more capable of handling that type of stress (fitness improves) and in that process, your overall health improves.   You may need to start slow, but your body will quickly adapt so that you can do more.  You will begin to notice that what would set you back before, now doesn’t bother you.  This principle works equally throughout your whole body – your muscles, your immune system, your digestive system, your lungs, your heart, even your mind.

So, simple stuff really – if you are healthy, then simply maintain your health.  If you need to improve your health in any way, then work on developing your fitness so you have a greater tolerance to meet the challenges you face every day.   Getting to know your body and what the best combination of nourishment and exercise is for you is one golden key that opens you to a life of well-being and vitality.

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