Fuzion Active Magazine - Issue 1 January 2014 January 2014 | Page 5

THE IMPORTANCE OF FITNESS Most people do not have time, on an everyday basis, to exercise and stay fit. As a result, obesity has become a major concern in many countries. The main reason for obesity is being attributed to the sedentary lifestyle of individuals that is devoid of exercise or control on the type of food being consumed by individuals. Competition and the need to survive in the world have altered the way we lead our lives. Gone are the days when people had the luxury to take up a 9am to 5pm job and spend the rest of the evening with family or indulge oneself in hobbies such as gardening and music. Work schedules have gone for a toss and the advent of technology couple with globalization has made it mandatory for people to stay connected with the office 24x7. As a consequence fitness and health have taken a backseat. Most people do not have time, on an everyday basis, to exercise and stay fit. As a result, obesity has become a major concern in many countries. The main reason for obesity is being attributed to the sedentary lifestyle of individuals that is devoid of exercise or control on the type of food being consumed by individuals. Staying fit has a number of associated benefits. Some of the most alluring benefits are:      It helps individuals stay alert and calm Exercise keeps the body and mind fit and therefore increases the productivity of an individual A fit body helps individuals to develop more flexibility, power and strength Fitness increases the general stamina and immunity Apart from physical stamina a person can develop mental stamina by staying fit and healthy There are a number of ways to fitness. It is no longer mandatory for individuals to visit a gym in order to stay fit. There are other alternate forms, which can be practiced at home, such as yoga, aerobics and outdoor games like cricket and tennis that help improve fitness and health. Also, there are a number of low-cost exercise equipment available in the market that aid individuals to exercise for a minimum period everyday but reap maximum benefits out of it. While there are a lot of ways and means to fitness, it is up to the individual to choose one of the techniques and invest time on improving fitness levels, in the interest of their own health and well-being.