Elemental Truth

By Joe Mullen

The most common justifications for discouragement that contribute to the high exercise drop out rate are: (1) Fraudulent products, (2) Fitness memberships that never produce the promised results, (3) A misinformed personal knowledge base leading to unrealistic goal setting, (3) Fitness centers staffed by "instructor's" who fail to provide adequate supervision, education, and motivation.

Average physical fitness is defined as: The ability to live each day with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue and pain, with energy left for leisure time activities.

Superior fitness will manifest itself by providing ABOVE average levels of strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, and cardio respiratory endurance. Another benefit of superior fitness is BELOW average levels of body fat.

Self-design of a wellness program requires a basic understanding of the requirements of productive fitness protocols to meet the goals you set for yourself.

It is not true that "something is better than nothing”. Improperly planned exercise programs do more harm than good.

Before launching a fitness program, check with your physician, and determine any restrictions he or she feel worth of your consideration. When in average health exercise is safe.

Although a fitness program can have profound, positive effects for your lifestyle, it may also cause serious damage to novice philosophies coupled with the too much -- too soon attempt to hurry goals along.

There is no age barrier governing one's beginning of a fitness program. Attitude, not age is the major precondition, and everyone can benefit from exercise.

Men, women, and children can follow the same exercise program. Women will not develop "muscles like a man”, children’s physical growth will not be suppressed, and seniors can safely exercise when a common sense is exhibited.

A so-called average person can model the same program as an athlete. The only adaptation is in the relationship of the level of intensity to the person exercising.

"Intensity" by our definition represents the amount of time one rests between each set of exercise.

The less rest allowed between exercises the higher the intensity. The more rest allowed the lower the intensity.

Those beginning an exercise program for the first time must gradually enter into high intensity exercise. Those formerly conditioned folks on a comeback quest should not attempt a high-intensity type program.

Proactive exercise can greatly reduce the chance of sports-related injuries, and will rehabilitate any injury incurred playing a favorite sport or simply stepping off a curbing.

Common problems such as nagging lower back issues, knee, elbow, and shoulder injuries return to normal functional ability with sensible exercise.

Senior citizens, in particular, will benefit from safe exercise procedures. Bone thickness and body strength will increase, and aid in body balance and greater functional ability. Broken bones may be prevented as well experiencing improved mobility.

Rising from a chair to a standing position, walking up and down stairs will become much easier.

In summary:

• Education is the key to understanding fitness training.
• Any realistic goal is achievable.
• Get your physician's OK. Then you will feel safe.
• Most commonly accepted knowledge related to fitness is myth.
• Everyone will benefit from proper exercise.
• There are no age restrictions.
• Prevention and rehabilitation of injuries are possible.
• Permanent weight loss happens as one eats fewer calories than needed for daily activities.
• Strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, and cardio respiratory endurance are the foundations on which fitness is established.
• A properly designed wellness program will improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual qualities. Spot reducing is a myth. Sauna wraps are useless and magic wands, lotions, potions, and pills do not exist.

Moreover, there is no tooth fairy.