Being physically fit doesn’t mean you’re healthy, and vice versa …

by 0 Comments

Imagine if someone said, “All apples are fruits, so all fruits must be apples.” While it’s clear that the two are related, this assumption is obviously flawed. This kind of confusion often happens with concepts that are similar but not identical. One common example is the confusion between being physically fit and being physically healthy.

It’s a widespread belief that physical fitness automatically equates to good health, or that being healthy means you must be physically fit. While these two concepts are related, they aren’t synonymous. You can be fit but unhealthy, and you can be healthy but not fit. Understanding the difference is crucial for anyone aiming to achieve overall wellness.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT?
Physical fitness is about having the capacity to execute daily activities with ease, energy, and efficiency. It’s not just about being able to run marathons or lift heavy weights — those are specific forms of fitness. Physical fitness includes a broader spectrum of abilities:

    • Cardiovascular endurance: How efficiently your heart, lungs, and blood vessels supply oxygen to your muscles during prolonged physical activity.
    • Muscular strength and endurance: The ability of your muscles to exert force (strength) and sustain repeated contractions over time (endurance).
    • Flexibility: The range of motion available in your joints, which allows you to move comfortably in your daily activities.
    • Body composition: The ratio of fat to lean mass in your body, which can affect both your appearance and physical performance.

Physical fitness is best understood as the ability to perform daily tasks effectively, without undue fatigue, and with enough energy to enjoy leisure activities and respond to emergencies. It’s about your body’s readiness to handle the physical demands of life, whether that’s carrying groceries, climbing stairs, playing with your kids, or enjoying an active hobby.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PHYSICALLY HEALTHY?
Physical health, in contrast, refers to the overall state of your body’s systems and their ability to function optimally. Being physically healthy means you are free from illness, your body’s systems are working properly, and you’re maintaining a state of well-being that allows for longevity and vitality. Key indicators of physical health include:

    • Strong immune system: The ability to fend off illness and recover quickly when sick.
    • Balanced biochemical markers: Healthy levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other vital signs.
    • Proper organ function: Efficient functioning of your heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs.

However, being healthy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re fit. Someone might have a clean bill of health from their doctor but still struggle with physical activities due to lack of fitness. This person might be free from disease but might not have the strength, endurance, or flexibility to perform physical tasks easily.

DISTINGUISHING FITNESS FROM HEALTH
While physical fitness and physical health are interconnected, they serve different purposes. Physical fitness is about your ability to perform specific physical activities, and physical health is about the overall well-being and function of your body. For example:

    • Fit but unhealthy: A person may be able to lift heavy weights and run long distances but could still be at risk for health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes due to poor diet or lack of regular medical care.
    • Healthy but unfit: Another person might have perfect blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and no chronic diseases, but may struggle with physical tasks like lifting, running, or even walking up a flight of stairs due to a lack of fitness.

True wellness comes from integrating both fitness and health. You don’t want to just be fit or just be healthy, you should strive for both. Physical fitness enhances your ability to execute and enjoy life’s activities, while physical health ensures your body is functioning well enough to support those activities. Achieving success in both areas allows you to live a fuller, more active, and more enjoyable life.

Scotty