“Dancing With The Stars” is my one of my favorite TV programs. It’s not because of the famous people who dance on the show; although, they are an attraction, who add a glamorous and competitive edge. It is because “I love to dance”.
You see, I come from a family of dancers. My father was a superb Latin and ballroom dancer. My mother was electric, glamorous, and an elegant smooth dancer, as well. She was a perfect match for my father. Together, as ballroom dancers, they created a very energized and joyful life.
Every chance they got they competed in contests, gave exhibitions and entertained their family, friends, and admirers. They truly graced others with their presence. Incidentally, they both lived well into their nineties.
Living Long & Healthy Is Not Always Luck
Living long, healthy and happy lives is a plan, not just the good luck that comes your way, unexpectedly. True, genes play an important role in our long-term health; but, if not properly taken care of, one can invite major problems over the course of living. As participants in our overall living habits in prolonging our lives, physical fitness or health fitness is an essential factor (Abadie, 2007).
The Essential Factors of Good Physical Health
- sustaining cardio-respiratory
- muscular stamina
- muscular strength
- muscular flexibility
- body composition
Participating in physical fitness delivers overall physical and psychological gains to an individual that aid in preventing health issues in their future.
Overall Benefits of Pro-Active Health Care
- lowers your death rate
- lowers glucose levels (in preventing the presence of diabetes)
- regulates glucose in individuals already living with the disease
- lowers the onset of atherosclerosis
- aids those who have lung disease to live better
- increases high-density (HDH)
- reduces blood pressure
- reduces body fat
- prevents the onset of glaucoma
- lowers the risk for some types of cancer
- lowers the presence of depression, anxiety, and mood stabilization
- prevents the onset of osteoporosis
- reduces insulin needs
What Conscious Physical Fitness People DO NOT Engage In
- use of drugs
- smoking
- overeating and unhealthy eating habits
- drinking alcohol
If the information of risk factors and benefits of physical health do not resonate and motivate you to devise a healthy physical plan for yourself, then you may need help by contacting a professional counselor.
When people engage in a lifestyle that has risk factors, over time it could dictate a scenario of critical health issues later in life.
If You Are Young
If you are a younger person, it is easier to change unhealthy patterns that do not serve you well. If you are middle aged or a senior, you can of course still change bad habits into positive ones. But it may take more perseverance and consistency in changing old habits that have become a part of you.
But, who cares, now that you’re meditating hopefully, you already have a good grip on enduring life’s challenges and are ready to take those habits on, allowing for the improvement that awaits you! (Your motivation tool)
My Background On Physical Fitness
Personally, I have been a physical fitness-buff most of my life. Thanks to both parents, I started engaging in physical activities at a young age. In school from the very first grade, I began competing in sports.
Later, I was on the track team, played volleyball, and basketball. After years of practicing, I was captain of my basketball team both in grade school, as well as, 4 years in high-school. But, during my early years, my mother provided dance classes of ballet, tap, and gymnastics for my flexibility.
As an Adult
As an adult, single and living on my own, I managed to continue dance classes in modern jazz. In other words, there was always some kind of physical activity in my weekly life. I continued to dance any chance I had solely, for the purpose of enjoyment but, I also walked or ran whenever I could. Many of my friends engaged in hiking, skiing, and swimming year round and invited me to join them, often. (Lived in sunny California).
Good Eating and Activity
Of course, with plenty of options for physical activity, I was conscious of my weight, so I always tried to eat well. My mother always provided 3 balanced and health-conscious meals growing up and we ate all together at the table with no music, no TV, and no arguing. Just pure conversation about all kinds of topics such as school, work, and play. So, I had many influences in forming good eating and physical habits early on. I still have to monitor myself today in order to keep on track but, it is usually a gentle reminder when I become tempted to over-indulge in a particular delight.
The Important Message
Look…, the message is to take care of yourself first, before anything else. If you are not in tip-top condition, it will interfere with everything you try to put into action. Why? Because, you will begin to make excuses for not being able to produce what you really want in life.
The excuses will come out of a lack of physical energy and mental drive to move forward with any plan to improve. I am not saying that you will not be able to accomplish anything. I am saying your accomplishments will most likely be more intense and difficult, as the excuses you give for not succeeding may be compensations for the real truth.
The truth of not being able to stick to your initial planning.
In the beginning of my article, I told you a true story of my mother and father and their insatiable joy of dancing.
Do you know that they continued this passion and activity until they were both in their nineties? Yes, and by all accounts, they were a delight to watch. O.K., so my father couldn’t land on his knees any longer and my mother couldn’t do her gracious back bend over my father’s arm anymore. But they still were the smoothest dancers on the floor.
Their love of performing was their gift to anyone who enjoyed music and dance as much as they did.
There Are 2 Lessons To Be Learned Today:
1-You are the one that choses your course of life. After you chose it, you create it…good or bad. So, be careful to choose a path or course that can benefit and support you in achieving your goal of having the happiest and fulfilling life that’s possible. Once you have chosen your path, then take the necessary action needed to achieve it. It’s that simple.
Don’t get too intense…life is already intense in many ways with all the challenges it will eventually present to you over the years of living. Meditate, breathe, and look forward in life with grace. You will be great!
2-Physical health or fitness is primary in conditioning yourself with the necessary fuel that propels your greatness and uniqueness. If the fuel is not in place, you probably won’t get very far in life or at least as far as you had intended from the original starting point. Take this information seriously because it is your foundation to continuity and sustaining a fruitful life for you and for those that you love.
Final Revelation
Remember, my parents chose and created their lives but it wasn’t entirely for themselves. Granted, they loved their passion for music and dance, but they also incorporated a life of joy and hard work as they provided the best gifts of love and charity for their children, extended family, friends, and volunteer organizations. It was not always easy for them, but there were many wonderful memories and events that colored their lives.
I want to be just like them in my older years. I’ll keep right on exercising and trying everyday to eat well for my overall health. After all, I have to remain healthy to give my experience and insights to all of you, who might need some direction and guidance in your precious lives. I’ll be able to rely on the influence of their actions in choosing and creating good habits that make a difference in the quality of my life.
Believe me, you’ll be grateful later when your endurance and physical capabilities defend any adverse challenges that may confront you. Keep steadfast with your commitment and maybe, just maybe, or most likely, you’ll be living well into your nineties too!
References
By Abadie, B. (2007). Physical fitness: the gateway to preventive health. A Journal of the Oxford Round Table. Retrieved from http://forumonpublicpolicy.com/archivesum07/abadie.pdf
