By: Tim Rigby (Courtesy of Inside Fitness)
The terms “healthy” and “fit” are often used interchangeably, but there are in fact a myriad of distinctions. An individual can indeed be healthy without necessarily being fit, and a person could also be very fit, but not altogether healthy (this latter case is less common). Healthy in a broad sense means someone whose vital stats like blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol levels are within the normal to “good” range. It also means someone less susceptible to stress and physical pain; someone who therefore is likely to live longer and age well. A fit person is someone who is usually quite healthy, but with distinct additional traits such as increased stamina, endurance, strength, and low levels of body fat. They may also be physically flexible and have good co-ordination with an attractive appearance, including to the point of entering competition. Some individuals may choose to achieve these goals through less-than-healthy methods (hence the distinction), but they are in the vast minority. Nevertheless, being both healthy and fit are the true keys to your overall wellness whereby you can maintain a healthy body weight, while improving your strength and cardio performance.
