The Difference Between Health and Fitness

Is Good Fitness the same as Good Health?  Or does Good Health automatically mean you are in Good Fitness.

The reason I ask is because most people don’t realize that good health and good fitness are two separate things. They are mutually exclusive, in that you can have one without the other.  Over the years, I have worked with physically fit athletes and individuals who look to be in great physical shape and have extraordinary levels of fitness.  However, as I dig a little deeper, I’ve learned that Not All of them can claim to be in the best of health.  Let me explain.

The classic questions for being in good physical shape or level of fitness are:

• Can you run 1-2 miles within a certain time frame?
• Can you do X-number of push-ups?
• Can you do X-number of pull-ups?
• Can you do X-number of sit-ups?
• Can you touch your toes?
• Can you hold your breath for a minute?
• What’s your percentage of body fat?

The questions to evaluate your level of fitness are Fitness Related. 

Regarding Your Health – Do You Struggle with…

• Digestive issues such as bloating, heartburn, reflux, etc?
• Cravings, low blood sugar?
• Fatigue and lack of energy?
• Constipation or diarrhea?
• Allergies, headaches, lightheadedness?
• Mood swings, irritability or anxiety?
• High blood pressure, cholesterol?
• Insomnia and getting a good night’s sleep?
• Frequent infections (sinus, colds, flu, urinary, etc…)?

The questions for overall good health are completely different.  So, don’t assume that simply being in good physical shape automatically means you are in good health.  Yes, there is a greater likelihood that people who regularly exercise, try to eat better and try to make better choices, but it’s not a guarantee for better health.

Food For Thought

Training like a beast is one thing, but if your digestive system is a problem?  You’re skipping meals and/or your metabolism and blood sugar are off? You’re not getting enough rest and sleep?  And the list goes on.  Suffice it to say, somethings out of balance.  Is it something you can easily correct by making smarter dietary and lifestyle decisions?  Or do you need some specific or professional guidance in your quest of better health and fitness.

Everything we do for our health and fitness is about Choices!  So, don’t forget, the more intense Your Workout – the More Rest and Sleep You Need. Exercise is a double-edge sword.  It is a form of stress!  Can your body handle the additional stress?  Maybe your body can handle a 15-20 minute tough workout, but 45-60 minutes might be too much for you at this time.

So, keep in mind, when you design your health and fitness program, your underlying symptoms, are a big factor in determining what type or workout you should and shouldn’t be doing, as well as, what type of diet you should be following for Your Specific maladies at this time.

If you’re stressed out and your adrenals are exhausted you definitely don’t want to be doing too much anaerobic exercise, or doing your aerobic exercise in an anaerobic state, which is the most common Workout Mistake I always see.  This is a major reason why so many people hit a plateau and can’t figure out why they aren’t getting the results they are hoping for.

In my opinion, it’s about Eating Right and Training Smart, so you can achieve both good health and good fitness. 

Use our online health questionnaire to see if there are some underlying issues that need to be addressed and look to see if maybe you need to tweak your workout routine to address your current level of health.