Fitness & Wellness - Research Paper Example

Fitness and Wellness And The Purpose of a Wellness Program The study seeks to show the importance and significance of a wellness program in our day and age. This is a program that focuses on ways to improve overall health in different sectors such as social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational and intellectual and physical wellness. It focuses on various components of an individual’s life such as lifestyle and diet. The paper will showcase various articles that reveal the urge on having this program in plan for an individual. The aspects to be explored include: riding the bicycle for at least 30 minutes a day, eating at least 5 servings of vegetables a day and finding recipes for making non-alcoholic beverages. The reason for researching on this is because our modern diet, lifestyle and bad nutrition is causing so much harm than good with regard to chronic and lifestyle diseases. Thus this plan seeks to help individuals to reverse some of their lifestyle traits to eliminate problems associated with personal health. As a result individuals will be better off in relation to personal wellness where health is key and essential. Fitness and Wellness And The Purpose of a Wellness Program In creating a wellness plan, the following steps should be carefully planned out: Carry out a wellness review: Get to know what affects health such as eating habits, personal activity levels, medical issues or mental needs. Develop an eating plan. This translates to eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day which should be of different colours as each colour represents various nutrients that our body needs. We should try to avoid a lot of fatty red meat and consume lean meat, water is also essential for cleaning our body system and also eating whole grains every day is quite favourable as they provide fibre in our diet. In addition to that, finding new food and drink recipes is a good idea, this will create food creativity and again for the drink beverages natural and/or homemade juice will be a great option as compared to taking alcoholic beverages that increase the risk of lifestyle diseases such as liver cirrhosis. Note that an eating plan does not translate to dieting. Develop an activity plan. This involves doing various involving activities such as riding the bicycle for at least half an hour, taking a walk, doing the stairs and so on. Again as an individual is following the wellness plan, it is essential to observe consistency. Finding motivation and support. This is essential to enhance and ensure consistency with the wellness plan in place. Finally, enjoy exercises and do them for fun and not because you do not have any other option. Elements in an Action Plan Wellness, Longevity, and Fitness: Wellness consists of the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual and physical wellness. For example physical wellness is related to our daily activities and whether we do exercise on a daily basis. This involves aspects such as riding a bicycle at least 30 minutes a day, doing a walking routine or even doing the stairs at work instead of using the elevator. It also involves taking and maintaining healthy habits such as checkups, a balanced diet and exercise and staying away from bad habits such as tobacco, drugs and alcohol. Longevity is the ability to remain fit and healthy even at an older age. The only way to make this a reality is to participate in exercises and doing daily routines. Fitness "was the strongest predictor of mortality that we found," said Dr Edwin Atwood, a cardiologist at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and one of the study’s researchers. "If you exercise and improve your exercise capacity, you will increase your longevity." Health and Economic Benefits of a Wellness Plan: According to Healthy Workforce 2010 and Beyond (2009), “Research is showing that it’s more cost-effective to invest in preventive health practices, such as screenings, immunizations, health risk appraisals, behavioural coaching, and health awareness/education, rather than spending resources exclusively on the small minority of employees/dependents who are responsible for high-cost health claims.” (“USA study examines link between exercise, longevity”, 2002). According to the A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report revealed that at worksites with exercise programs as components of their wellness programs, healthcare costs decreased from 75 to 55%, short-term sick leave was lowered from 38 to 32%, and productivity increased from 50 to 52%. (“Benefits of wellness programs”, 2010). In conclusion wellness programs are a way that can be used to cut on healthcare costs, reduce absenteeism at work, and increase productivity of an individual. 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans was first published in 1980 aims at disbursing health facts aimed at promoting good health and reducing the risk for chronic illnesses for example high blood pressure, stroke, coronary artery disease, diabetes and colon cancer, through good diet such as intake of at least 5 serving of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, adequate water intake and whole grain foods. With regard to physical activity, the guidelines also incorporate physical activity as a means to keep fit and healthy. Physical activity seeks to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses at adulthood where they recommend an individual should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate or involving physical activity at work or home. With regard to the consumption of alcohol, too much alcohol could lead to serious side effects such as liver cirrhosis, hypertension, injury, violence, and death in accidents. Physical Activity Fundamental to Preventing Disease: Daily physical activity helps us to burn calories that we have consumed. The higher an individual’s physical activity rate, the higher their energy requirement and the easier it is to prepare a daily food intake blueprint that contains all the necessary nutrients. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of dying from some of the leading causes of diseases in the United States. Regular physical activity aims at improving health in the ways below: Reduces the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, helps maintain a healthy weight, dying prematurely from heart disease and other conditions, longevity of our body and in adults it makes them develop strong bones and strength without being weak and helps in reducing anxiety and stress. A lifetime commitment to fitness and wellness: This involves physical fitness together with nutrition and self drive which is easier with consistency in physical activity. Attaining this kind of lifestyle involves eating a healthy diet that leads to reducing fat intake, sugars and sodium. A healthy diet consists of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. For meat, it’s recommended to take lean meats such as beef, lamb, fish and poultry and low fat and/or fat free dairy products. Processed and refined foods should be avoided. Best solution is to prepare your own food at home for the nutritional content. Avoiding alcohol, drugs and tobacco as excessive consumption can lead to severe effects. Physical activity is a key to longevity. Individuals should plan on implementing wellness programs such as aerobics, jogging, kick boxing and many more to their schedule. Again choosing an activity that you enjoy is essential or progress. Also incorporate aspects such as strength training that help for longevity, balance, and fitness. References: Soekardi Ismansja. The Benefits of Exercise on Wellness and Longevity of Life. Retrieved from http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/The_Benefits_of%20_Exercise%20_on_Wellness_and_Longevity_of_Life.html USA study examines link between exercises, longevity. (2002). Retrieved March 14, 2002, from http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/2002/03/14/health-exercise-43/ Benefits of wellness programs. (2010). Retrieved August 08, 2010, from http://healthandwellnessintheworkplace.org/benefits-of-wellness-programs/ Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (2012). From http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter1.htm Physical Activity Fundamental To Preventing Disease. (2002). Retrieved June 20 2002, from http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/physicalactivity/ 4 Steps for Lifetime Physical Fitness. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/body-building/4-steps-for-lifetime-physical-fitness.html Read More