Functional FitnessFunctional fitness is staying fit and moving your body in ways and patterns that are natural and resemble the work that it takes to live naturally, such as gardening, walking a lot, loading, and lifting. I have read articles detailing how long distance runners have lower immune systems because our bodies are not designed to keep up with that pace for so long. Our bodies work best doing natural work and movements and saving long stints for emergencies such as needing to escape danger, etc. People used to work for their food by planting and harvesting, hunting, gathering, and preparing meals. They pitched hay, dug holes, built and repaired, and didn't sit around for hours on end at the computer, watching TV, or playing video games. People were the dish and clothes washers. They cleaned their houses and they walked from here to there. You can use your favorite modern conveniences and still structure your workout to move in ways that are good for your health long term if that what you decide to do. I admit, I'm not big on getting my physical activity from using gym equipment or long, strictly-scheduled workouts at home with a DVD. I am naturally inclined to stay fit and strong the way God intended with what a focus on functional fitness. Functional Fitness Fit Yummy Mummy-Style! NOTE: Since writing this, I found a great system called Fit Yummy Mummy by Holly Rigsby that has inspired me and so simplified getting fit and strong that I have adopted many of her tips and way of exercising. For the first time in my life, I have enjoyed working out and have been consistent. The kicker with Fit Yummy Mummy is that Holly busts the myth that working out needs to take a long time. Actually, I only do functional fitness-style workouts 15 minutes, 6 days a week (or 30 min x 3 days). It goes by so quickly and I find myself looking forward them because I know they will continue to be very effective. The key is intensity. Short and intense produces better results than long and slow (and boring). ;) I mixed that with cleaning up my diet (what I eat) and I saw results in one week. In a few short weeks, I could see my body getting more toned. Making this type of lifestyle improvement (you should focus on making changes that you can/will maintain for life) in addition to a regularly active lifestyle is best. Remember, what you eat is often more important than your exercise regime, so clean that up and you will supercharge and just about ensure your fitness!
Get great tips and ideas here. Doing things naturally will often, if not always, have other benefits stemming from them. Natural living by doing more with your hands typically makes you stronger, less stressed, more fulfilled, and healthier overall. One example of functional exercise is gardening. There are many benefits of gardening that go beyond exercise to improve your health. Using a wash-tub and clothes line, like this retractable clothes line or clothes drying rack instead of loading a washing machine and dryer burns more calories, tones muscles, and gets your heart pumping and lungs working. You get out in the sunshine and fresh air and use a wide range of motion with your arms as you hang and take down the laundry from the line. So, what's the moral of the functional fitness story? "Don't fix what ain't broken" and "Fix what is!" :)
Go to Whole Food Diet from Functional Fitness
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