Did you ever have to take that fitness assessment in high school following the guidelines from the President’s Challenge?
In the time leading up to my fitness test, I remember getting excited for it so I could show off my athletic skills to the class. Then, what I now call dooms I mean test day came, I found out, hey, I’m not really athletic. Sure, I played recreational basketball and volleyball every now and again, but I never had an exercise routine that I followed. Honestly, I didn’t know that in order to keep myself healthy on the inside and outside as opposed to burning off a doughnut per se, I’d be doing myself a favor to create one.
How the heck did I get started on an exercise plan? Over time, I was exposed to Pilates, group exercise classes, swimming, and cardio equipment at the gym. I always wanted to be on a sports team or be an elite dancer, but that never happened, and I saw this as a second chance.
I began college as an Education major and graduated with my BS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion.
Since my high school fitness assessment:
- I can run several miles
- I can do multiple push-ups
- I sleep better
- I have lower blood pressure
- I feel and am strong
[source]
Benefits of regular physical activity:
- Strengthens bones and muscles- a preventive measure against osteoporosis!
- Reduces risk of some cancers, type 2 diabetes, heart disease
- Mood booster- one of the reasons I prefer to work out in the morning
- Not to overwhelm you, 101 more benefits:
[Source]
Upcoming topics on the Food for Your Heart and Soul series include, but are not limited to:
- Creating a weekly workout schedule
- Breaking down resistance training
- Gym terminology
- How to fit in a workout when you’re crunched for time
- Finding the right exercise program
I’m open to topic ideas. Please share if you have one on your mind that you’d like me to talk about! 🙂
If you’re interested in testing your fitness or for kicks, click here. Good luck!
How did you get into exercise? What’s your favorite kind of exercise?
Have a great weekend!
Bananas for Yoga and Yogurt 
i know the biggest benefit of exercise for me is the mood factor, I am such a nicer person with some endorphins pumping through my blood haha
Haha me too! It’s like night and day sometimes.
Looking back at those tests is funny; I go out and run 10 miles no problem now, but at the time, those timed miles were brutal!
I love all the benefits of being fit, both mentally, physically and aesthetically!
It’s a great accomplishment to have come this far! 🙂 No one can go wrong being fit.
I hated those challenges in high school because I was never really that athletic! The only thing I could do well was the V Sit & Reach because I’m tall, so I have freakestly long arms 😉 I didn’t start to enjoy working out until college when I realized what an awesome stress reliever it is!
It is an awesome stress reliever! I always feel like I can breathe again!