Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 12:49PM | Amy C defining fitness
me and my dad (age 68) hiking haleakala crater on maui | january 2010
Having just returned to Colorado after eight months on Kaua'i, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about “getting fit” and “being fit.” “Getting into shape” and “being out of shape” (and all the various iterations of those phrases that exist). And I’ve been thinking about how the definition and meaning changes for each person I talk to and encounter.
I consider myself pretty fit, but having taken eight months off running, I've begun to train again (only now at altitude). I have to admit that my ego is taking a bit of a beating. (Did I really sign up for that mountain trail run next month?) Ahhh... but I digress.
Here's the thing. We all have a level of fitness. But depending on our personal definitions and our goals, these phrases can have vastly different meanings and permutations. And (as I'm now learning), different situations and environments make a big difference in that definition as well. (Ahem... being in paddling shape doesn't really help you run uphill.)
As a life coach working with clients that want to integrate fitness and activity into daily living—as a lifestyle, I’ve learned it’s important to start at the beginning.
how do you define fitness?
The dictionary defines it as “the condition of being physically fit and healthy” and adds “the quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task.”
There’s a ba-zillion sites out there that seek to describe what one should be able to do when they’re fit. There are guidelines and recommendations and suggestions, but that's not the most important thing to understand. Guidelines and recommendations are simply that. Guidelines. They're meant to be adjusted and tweaked. But it's also really important to understand exactly where to adjust your routine, or how to get started.
Defining fitness as it pertains to you—as an individual—is a crucial step to understanding and increasing your fitness. It’s simply learning how to identify what’s important to you. And by “you,” I mean, quite literally, you. Not society. Not your kids or your parents or your partner. Not your colleagues, workout buddies, or well-meaning strangers. But you. You get to live in your body. It’s not separated from your thoughts or your emotions. Your body is integrally connected to who you are. So your fitness and fitness goals need to reflect that.
Is it trad climbing 5.12? Is it crossing the finish line after running 26.2 miles? or 100? Is it fitting into your favorite jeans? Is it being able to say “yes” to friends who are planning a weekend backpacking excursion? Is it keeping up with your grandchildren? Or is it being able to bend over to tie your shoes? Why do you want to be fit? Why is it important to you? What are the benefits? What are you willing to do for it?
Fitness is personal. It’s about how you feel—from the inside out. When you’re at your ideal level of fitness, what do you feel? How do you walk in your body? What are you thinking?
What will change between now and then? What will you be able to do tomorrow that you can’t do now? Next season? Next year?
How will you maintain your fitness? How will you manage it through the holidays? Or vacations?
I want to point out that fitness isn't external. It's not about looking good for the 10-year-reunion or for your wedding day. It's not even about losing the weight because your doctor says you should. That can be a wake-up call, but it's not a definition. If the reason you want to be fit comes from anywhere or anyone other than YOU, it's at risk for not being sustainable.
So dig deep and ask more questions if you're having trouble focusing on the internal reasons. Why is it important for you to look good? What brought you to the doctor in the first place?
Okay, I think you get the picture. Moving on...
now what?
So now you have your definition, right? No? Oh... you just finished reading and haven't had a chance to think about it? Gotcha.
Okay, take the next few moments (or days) and think about what fitness means to you. How do you define it? See if a clear vision begins to develop of what fitness means (to you) and how you want it to fit into your life.
Next week we'll take that definition and your vision and begin to explore your options. Then we'll begin to develop a plan. Sound good? Awesome. See you next week.
Oh! And I'd love to hear your definitions, so please add them in the comments below, or over on my facebook "like"* page. Thanks!
Have a great (and active) week!
Reader Comments (3)
For me, fitness all about feeling good when I do the activities I love. The feeling is a mix of power, endurance, and litheness. When these are nurtured and in relative balance, simply moving feels good. This is also why I like a mix of activities – each challenges aspects of fitness in a unique way.
About 20 years ago I was in a dumbbells class at a fitness resort. The instructor started the class by reminding us, "Remember, ladies, we are training our bodies to be 90 years old." That resonated with me, and still does. I think of being fit as being able to do what I love to do in a way that doesn't prompt injury but stretches my comfort zone at least a bit. For me that's primarily hiking--at elevation, with elevation gain, for some distance. It's also the option to run up a flight of stairs or do some extra sit-ups or push-ups. Beyond that, it's keeping my sense of humor fit--surrounding myself with people who love to laugh, who appreciate a good one-liner, who embrace the value of play and are willing to get silly at the drop of a hat. When my stomach hurts from laughing, I feel as fit as if I've climbed a peak. So...buy good shoes that meet your needs, hug a good friend, sit up straight, and tell a good joke.
I love these definitions... thank you guys so much for sharing. :)