Fit and healthy?

My fathers quips were perfect all the time. He used to always comment that none of us can understand anything about the human body. We study more, we try to understand more but still some things happen to the human body and we are back to square one with the ageing question “Why did it happen in the first place?” or “It was not supposed to happen that way”

I have always wanted to write about this topic of being fit and healthy for a long time. With news all around me always implying that “fit” might be “healthy”, I knew I had to write about it immediately, since I have always experienced different things about both the terms. Being fit and healthy are always used synonymously and our mind also thinks of it in a similar way, but it is not.

Fit is you keeping yourself fit by doing exercise, eating right, sleeping right, being in the right weight and more.

Healthy is falling sick or seriously sick less often.

Being fit may be defined in many ways but one definition stated it like this:

” To be physically fit means to be in a state of health and well-being. Physical fitness is defined as the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities, to be healthy, to resist disease and to react to emergency situations” (Reference: https://www.personalbestfitness.com.au/what-does-getting-fit-actually-mean/)

What did I think of being physically fit? I always thought if somebody was running/walking well a couple of days a week, going to the gym on other days and even eating properly, maintaining a good weight and never smoked or even had a couple social drinks, they are physically fit. These “physically fit people” should be considered “healthy” and should be in the peak of their health right? They should never fall seriously sick or fall prey to any of the cruel diseases right?

Wrong…contrary to popular belief, just because you do everything that is perceived medically correct, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will never fall sick. Maybe, there is a lesser chance that you might fall sick if you are fit, but no fit person should ever think they are immune to falling sick.

So, on the other hand, what is being healthy? Healthy again means falling sick or seriously sick less often(or the mind thinks, they will never fall sick, right?! :)) But unlike a fit person you maybe out of shape…:) but you maybe healthy…weird, right?

Yes, it is true and it is possible…I have seen people who maybe a bit out of shape(not to the point of eating everything their way and not exercising at all) who might not fall seriously sick and escape many ailments and illnesses, while a fit person might be falling sick at regular intervals.

So, why does this happen? The human mind looks at a slim and trim person and thinks they are the epitome of perfect health and they should never fall sick. Unfortunately, once we age we realize a few things:

1. Nobody understands the human body. Somethings just happen out of the blue with no reason at all. “Hey, a fit person does fall sick after all”
2. Everybody has their mantra for staying healthy…follow what works for you(diet, exercise, this is good, this is not good) Just take tips from proper medical doctors rather than Whatsapp University or Instagram influencers 😉
3. Genes play a major role in diseases like Parkinsons, Alzheimers and silent killers like blood pressure, diabetes etc.
4. Stress plays a huge role in working lives…it is always good to have other things to do apart from work(anything that keeps you happy and distracted away from work, not only exercising) Delegate work that cannot be done right away.
5. You definitely need super mental strength to pull out of tough medical situations.
6. As you age, listen to your body more(don’t do it because others are doing it) For example, if you can only do the 5K in a marathon, just do the 5K, don’t do the 10K because others are doing it.
7. “Everything in moderation” as one of my doctor friends says…exercise, food, enjoyment all in moderation! Don’t over exercise, over eat or over run because somebody else is doing it…
8. If you are blessed with good health always thank God, family for the good genes and yourself too! 🙂 (for having good health practices)
9. Eat properly, sleep well, and exercise according to your age and what suits you.
10. And lastly, we all are human, everybody falls sick whether fit, unfit or healthy!

So, is fit, healthy? Or is healthy, fit?

In my mind, I would say, the one who falls seriously sick less often and is able to manage sickness better, is more healthy and fit! 🙂

Thanks for reading and have a delightful day! 🙂