When people think of fitness they usually think of exercise, yet there is so much more. Whole body fitness involves the foods that are eaten, the beverages that are consumed, overall posture and nervous system function, and additional supplemental nutritional support.
Eating the right combination of foods is essential for good health and fitness. Everybody needs to eat some form of protein, good fat, and carbohydrates with every meal. Protein builds muscle, repairs body tissues, and converts to fuel when needed. Fat makes up cell membranes, contributes to hormone production, and protects the brain and nervous system.
The body metabolizes carbohydrates to generate energy. The average American consumes 300-600 grams of carbohydrates daily, while only 80-100 grams are needed for energy production. Excess carbohydrates are stored as fat and metabolized when needed. Excess carbohydrate consumption raises blood fats, causes weight gain, and decreases overall body fitness.
The best carbohydrate foods are vegetables, low sugar fruits, and whole grains. Vegetables provide the proper balance of nutrients for whole body fitness. They contain the genuine replacement parts for the human body including vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
The book YOU: Staying Young: The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty by Dr. Oz highlights foods to improve health and fitness. Eating blueberries, broccoli, sweet potatoes, psyllium seeds (for fiber), nuts and flaxseed for Omega 3 oils, and olive oil are all beneficial to health. Including these foods in your daily diet along with certain spices can improve health and fitness.
Foods influence our health, and so does the amount of water we consume. According to “Your Body’s Many Cries For Water” by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D., most people are dehydrated, including 75% of Americans. Dehydration is present by the time the thirst for water appears. Thirst is often mistaken as hunger, causing increased food consumption and more dehydration. Even mild dehydration will cause fatigue and slow down metabolism as much as 3%.
Beverages that contain water are not considered the same as water. The inside of our bodies need to be bathed with clean water just as our outsides do. Water is essential for health and fitness and helps to eliminate toxins and provide essential minerals. Minimally, each day, you should drink half your body weight in ounces of good filtered water in order to keep your body hydrated, healthy, and fit.
Proper postural support is essential to a healthy body. How we sit, stand, and our sleeping position have a huge impact on health. The body can’t be fit if the spine is not aligned properly. Exercises and weight routines cannot be performed efficiently and properly when the spine is in pain or not aligned properly.
Chiropractic relates to the spine and the alignment of the vertebrae, which affects posture and nervous system function. Chiropractors practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes spinal alignment, therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, and nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle counseling.
