Mind Over Matter

What does it truly mean to be fit?

Is it only measured by a person’s ability to lift the heaviest weights at the gym or by actively engaging in your favorite sports activities? While these activities are crucial for improving one’s physical health, we must also understand that the essence of fitness transcends much more than just developing the muscles of our bodies.

A book by Jose Villablanca titled, “Holistically Fit: Conquering Physical, Mental, and Emotional Habits to Build a New and Better You” delves into this topic of being fit in all aspects and not just our body. The author goes on to tackle how to achieve holistic fitness by exploring the interconnection between physical exercises, mental well-being, and emotions to create a harmonious balance in having a healthier lifestyle.

He also shared some of his personal stories and how this had helped him realize that by doing these physical activities, he was able to improve his mental health and find the joy and passion he had when it came to exercising. He overcame the insecurities of his youth, which boosted his self-esteem as he grew older and enabled him to focus on more important matters, such as working as a personal trainer to help others achieve the same transformation he did.

True fitness should encompass a holistic approach that nurtures not only our body but also our mental state which could help get rid of bad habits and develop good ones that could help improve our well-being. Physical activity is not only good for your body, but it’s also great for your mind. When individuals face challenges managing their mental well-being, they often seek coping mechanisms to alleviate distress, with exercise being just one potential option for improvement.

Being active does not necessarily mean that you need to purchase a gym membership just to do these exercises, any kind of physical activity could work to keep your body moving and help gain focus and motivation on certain goals that you want to aim for.

It shouldn’t be too strenuous of an activity especially when your body is not used to it without proper training or preparation. Starting with something like doing household chores or doing a light jog around your neighborhood is enough until you feel confident in yourself to take it up a notch and get to the next step. What's most important is choosing an activity that you genuinely enjoy doing regularly and willingly engage in, as it can provide you with a sense of purpose and achievement.

Another factor that could benefit you in being active is that it helps release chemicals in your brain such as dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, and stress hormones that change when you exercise. While these chemicals contribute to feelings of well-being, they operate through distinct mechanisms, have different effects, and influence numerous of our bodily functions.

They also play a crucial role in regulating our heart rate, sleep cycles, mood, concentration, motivation, memory retention, learning capabilities, and processing pain. Additionally, physical activity can reduce tension, stress, and mental fatigue, providing a natural energy boost. As a result, you may feel less angry or frustrated, contributing to an overall sense of well-being and emotional balance.

Along with doing exercises, maintaining a healthy balanced diet is a must but you should also allow yourself for the occasional indulgences without guilt which is also commonly known as having a "cheat day." This balanced approach encourages sustainability and mental well-being while still promoting physical health.

It's about enjoying the journey towards fitness and appreciating the pleasures of both nutritious meals and occasional treats as a reward for our efforts. This flexibility fosters a positive relationship with food and exercise, supporting long-term adherence to healthy habits.

Besides these factors that could help improve oneself, this could also be a great chance to meet new people along the way in their journey. This allows you to socialize with the people you exercise with can help increase your confidence and get the support you need as you share and relate to each other’s experiences in your journey of self-improvement.

Engaging in exercise also presents numerous opportunities to form meaningful bonds and connections, as exemplified by the author of "Holistically Fit," who shared his experience of building strong relationships through his personal training business.

In summary, holistic fitness goes beyond physical strength, emphasizing a balanced approach to our overall well-being. Jose Villablanca’s book highlights the importance of combining physical activity, mental resilience, and emotional wellness for a healthier lifestyle. And that by enjoying activities that bring joy to us while maintaining a flexible diet, and fostering supportive relationships, individuals can achieve holistic fitness, leading to a more fulfilling and vibrant life.