ONE OUT OF every three adults aged 50 and older suffer from increased muscle loss, called sarcopenia. This is a condition that contributes to fat gain and low mobility but by staying fit (the definition of “fit” is: “sound physically and mentally”) we can help prevent this unwanted effect of ageing.
It is not about competing in an Iron Man or being able to perform a hundred press-ups. Fitness is about feeling good and moving without pain; without being in too poor a shape to do the activities you want to do and live the lifestyle you want to. Are you able to climb the stairs without getting winded or having to take a break?
Today, there are more tools, tests and evaluations available than ever for enthusiasts to track, measure, and follow. But it’s wrong to measure physical fitness with any one of these – it’s much more complex. You wouldn’t measure someone’s overall health by their blood pressure alone. It’s a helpful test to monitor for cardiac disease, but it doesn’t indicate whether or not someone has dementia or cancer.
Looking fit doesn’t mean you are in peak physical fitness; it should be about your attitude toward your health and wellness. Some people obsess over their physical appearance and see flaws in their form where there aren’t any—driving their bodies into illness or burnout.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, there are five components of physical fitness: body composition (the relative proportion of fat and fat-free tissue in the body), cardio-vascular, flexibility, muscular strength and muscular endurance. It is only when all of these components of fitness are balanced – with mental and emotional wellbeing – that you will boost your energy, mood, sleep, and immune system. Because fitness is essentially a state of being physically able to live the happy, fulfilling life you want to.
A study published in the May 2015 issue of the journal Psychophysiology suggests that increasing your fitness through exercise increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, and this may help to treat mild to moderate depression just as much as medication.
The satisfaction of exercise can give you a peaceful, satisfied, and confident mind. When you are physically fit, you become empowered to achieve your personal, career, and relationship goals in a way you wouldn’t otherwise. What’s more, the impact of fitness equates to higher metabolism and a healthier weight.
Poor sleep habits can undermine your fitness goals because it is essential to keeping your body functioning optimally. The National Sleep Foundation says that staying active helps improve your sleep and that logging seven to nine hours of sleep per night will allow you to maintain the energy you need to stick to your workout goals and stay active throughout the day.
According to a study published in the October 2013 issue of Lancet Oncology, when your body becomes fitter, it lengthens its chromosomes’ protective caps, called telomeres. These telomeres are in charge of determining how quickly your cells age. This means that keeping them in top shape (being fit) can help lengthen your life span.
Super-A is as good as it gets. Our look comes as a result of years of fitness knowledge and dedication. We love to share our tips and tricks and offer you everything you need to achieve a fitter, healthier and longer life.
