Stretch your concept of "fitness" - Tip-Off

Like so many terms in the English language, "fitness" can mean many different things. It can be paired with words such as physical, emotional, psychological, mental and social to create one sort of meaning, while saying someone is "fit to serve" or "fit to lead" goes off on another tangent entirely.

Perhaps a word to consider as a synonym for fitness might be "preparedness." Are we prepared physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and socially to meet the challenges we encounter every day? Some may be able to answer "yes" to each of those elements, but I venture to say that most of us couldn't. Individually, it's up to each of us to take stock of our level of fitness or preparedness, and act accordingly.

Using a scale of 1-7, rate your overall fitness. Naturally, if it's a good day, your score might be a little higher than that day of disaster last week. Look at the complete picture of your life at this time in life. Scores for different segments may vary dramatically. Your family situation may be great, but you may be in a professional slump. Physically you may be encountering challenges, but your spiritual life may be seeing you through them. It's important to keep things in the proper perspective to help maintain a balance.

I dare say that most of us will identify, areas that need to be improved or strengthened, perhaps even mellowed, depending on our situation. Give yourself proper credit for your stronger areas. By determining where your strengths and weaknesses are, you can begin planning your new, complete "fitness regimen" to be better prepared for whatever the future holds.

An article about fitness, however, must make the point that the benefits of good physical fitness is a direct factor in all other aspects of life. When you feel good about yourself, everything seems to be better.

Once you determine your level of "fitness," then working to maintain or raise that level becomes a challenge in itself. No one else can do it for you. This, perhaps, becomes the ultimate goal.

--Annabelle M. Davis, CPRP

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