Ch. 10

Chapter 10 is all about fitness. It discusses physical activity and how it can positively affect your body and health.

Physical activity is defined as any body movement that works your muscles, uses more energy than is used when resting, and enhances health. Exercise is a common form of physical activity and consists of structured and repetitive bodily movements done in order to maintain physical fitness. T he main components of physical fitness include cardiorespiratory, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition.

The following are all health benefits of regular physical activity:

• reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
• reduced risk of metabolic syndrome
• reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
• reduced risk of cancer
• reduced risk of osteoporosis
• improved bone mass
• improved weight control
• improved immunity
• improved back strength
• improved mental health/stress management
• longer lifespan

It is important to overcome any obstacles you may have with physical activity, and make it part of your daily life. An easy way to do this is using a SMART goal and the FITT principle.

In order to maintain all around good health, aside from exercise, good nutrition is essential as well. Especially if you are on a vigorous workout plan, you should make sure your food intake supports that, as well as making sure to stay hydrated.

In relation to my goal, my apple watch really helps me stay on track. It lets me know my heart rate, how many steps I’ve taken, and it even tells me when I should take a breath or stand up after sitting for a while.