Why Fitness is of "Paramount Importance"!

You may have been surprised to see this old man lifting a weight, and a question will surely arise: Why does an old man of such age even beat some of our younger generations in terms of physical standards? The answer lies in the upgradation of our lifestyles due to the industrial and technological revolution.

Man is seeking new ways to improve his lifestyle, but this ‘improved lifestyle’ is simultaneously leading to other complications, resulting in the deterioration of our physical standards. We must analyze certain factors that have improved our living standards but are leading to low fitness standards.

1. Ease of Access:

A lot of examples we can quote in Ease of Access that have further led to decreased physical activity, e.g.

1. Advanced modes of transportation
2. Development of roads
3. Enhanced connectivity
4. Advanced tools for daily chores
5. Establishment of Heavy Industries 
6. Enhanced safety and security equipment

Humanity has procured all the modalities mentioned above to shorten the time required to perform a specific task as much as possible. In the past, due to the least development of all the above modalities, physical engagement was essential to accomplishing the task.

For instance, a man took around a day to complete 30KMs travel by foot which has been reduced to some minutes with advanced travel modalities. In the future, it will further decrease using air taxis as illustrated in various future models. Dubai has taken this initiative.

Another example is the revolutionary advancements in agriculture. Farmers plowed fields with bulls and harvested crops manually in the past—a far from easy task.

Communication was by person-to-person means, and it took a physical effort to walk to a person to send messages. How tough it could be compared to today’s advanced courier services can be imagined.

Many small chores have been made easy, like grinding flour and making meals. However, the fine cloth manufactured today in Textiles used to be made by hand and was possible on a tiny scale.

In the past, wars used to be fought with swords, and all artillery equipment had to be carried in pieces by a group of people on their shoulders. These circumstances required the highest Fitness and physical standards. It can be compared to today’s war modalities, where countries have been engaged in 5th-generation warfare. UAV drones are being used today to save human resources. This is making world armies more prone to sedentary lifestyles. You can also analyze it in a way that where there is less technology, people are hard to defeat and are masters of guerrilla warfare.

2. The entertainment industry is a huge ‘Distraction’:

After the 1950s, the entertainment industry boomed by ‘leaps and bounds.’ Not only has it captivated the young generation, but old ones have taken it as a part of their lives. Every drama or movie represents an ideal fantasy that every young mind tries to follow. The sedentary lifestyle, a rich environment, and a hassle-free life are illustrated there, which is far from practical.

Secondly, for a majority of young people, entertainment is thought to be an ‘escape plan’ for depression, especially for middle-aged people, who are unemployed and depressed by the same other means.

Social media is a part of this entertainment, too; although it spreads positivity and links people of different societies, waste of time is the demerit, social media contains. Indulging so much in entertainment today keeps a man potentially negligent regarding his Fitness and physical standards.

It is very much advised to give optimal time to entertainment as too much of it can be lethal.

3. Why ‘Luxury’ food abstinence is suitable for Fitness? :

‘Luxury’ food means consuming tasty, ready-made food usually rich in fats and other additives. Old people used to eat vegetables, fruits, and butter-cooked food enriched with minerals, vitamins, and ‘Good fats.’ Nowadays, readily available processed chicken discourages using vegetables and other supplement-rich raw foods.

One of the significant side effects of ready-made junk food is the early onset of obesity that, in older age, promotes Diabetes Mellitus and Ischemic Heart Disease complications.

According to JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, around 9.9 million deaths were recorded in 2019, and this trend is increasing despite advanced treatment modalities.

4. Why is it essential to maintain Fitness?

In today’s context, we are discussing why it is essential to remain fit and smart. Hundreds of benefits can be addressed, and the list goes on. In a society with a sedentary lifestyle, public awareness of physical standards is fundamental.

A man can enjoy the following  benefits if he adheres to his fitness routine, e.g.

1. Weight control
2. Mental strength
3. Bone strength
4. Decreased aging 
5. Low risk of comorbidities
6. Mood elevation
7. Helps in socialization
8. Boosts confidence
9. Increases stamina
10. Promotes better sleep

It takes a lot of courage to stay motivated for Fitness when everyone is busy or procrastinating. Everyone has their own life and priorities. Fitness should be prioritized by our incoming young generation, which idealizes entertainment fantasies and believes in total dependence on new technology.