The 2 words health and fitness are used interchangeably however they 2 are very very different…
Health is being free of illness, or injury or disease. No high cholesterol, no diabetes, no issue at all. It’s possible to be healthy but have a high BMI, be overweight or even obese…are you then still healthy?
Surprisingly If you are simply overweight, with no ailments or disease, you are considered healthy.
There seems to be a weight, age correlation; For example, while consulting with many potential clients, it’s commonplace to have a 26-year old that is 20 kilos overweight, to be healthy – No disease at all. The same extra 20 kilos on a 40 or 45-year-old is usually accompanied with the discomfort of sorts such as aching knees (arthritis), back pain, sleep disorders – sleep apnea, restlessness or insomnia etc.
I’ve deduced that carrying excess weight overtime for a 45-year-old might lead to wear and tear in the body and symptomatic and indicative that disease is not too far away. Most 45-year-olds that have been overweight for a while will usually suffer lifestyle conditions (HBD, Diabetes, High cholesterol etc)
Conversely, skinny people can also be unhealthy…
Very true. They too can have high cholesterol, heart attacks or type 2 diabetes amid many other ailments. In the US health and fitness industry, we call them “skinny-fat” cause they appear physically ‘healthy’ but are might not free of disease. Skinny-fat people have low levels of subcutaneous fat – hence why they never seem to gain weight – and high accumulation of visceral fat (fat in organs), that is not visible to the naked eye. Most times, they get very shocked when diagnosed with a disease since it’s always assumed, they’re skinny which is synonymous to “healthy”
What then is Fitness?
Fitness is the quality of being suitable to fulfill simple tasks such as walking up stairs without panting, playing with your children, performing life’s simple tasks without it being a big deal AND looking the part by having a bit of muscle definition, flat belly etc then you are considered somewhat fit. To achieve this, some form of exercise, usually strength training or anaerobic workouts are needed.
2 days ago, I carried a 36 pack of water bottles and my biceps weirdly burned and I wondered why…duh? I just resumed working out 2 weeks ago after a 9-week hiatus while recovering from a sprained ankle. I’ve lost 75% of strength and don’t consider myself fit but now that I’m back in the gym, I’m working towards my fitness.
Can you be fit and unhealthy?
ABSOLUTELY…you’re probably wondering how is that possible? I know, it’s cognitive dissonance at it’s best 🙂
Meet my friend and my fitness sister from back in 2010, Janae Veal…
We had the same bodybuilding coach, worked out together, competed together, then out of nowhere in 2012, she got diagnosed with breast cancer. The shock…
She was in tip-top shape, as fit as a fiddle and at the top of her IFBB bodybuilding game almost turning pro, but out of nowhere, her health went sideways.
The 2 pictures are taken a couple of months apart. She lost all her hair in what seemed to be a blink of an eye as she fought for her dear life. Her positive attitude got her through the worst of it and she was cancer free in 18 months.
If you are healthy (disease free) and all you’re tiring to do is lose weight, then Nutrition is what you need to pay attention to. If you are healthy and trying to lose weight and ALSO tone, build muscle, then you are talking about fitness and need to focus on not just nutrition to keep body fat low, but strength training to build muscle for tone.
Now that you know the difference between the 2, the question is, are you pursuing health or fitness?
The common denominator for either health or fitness: NUTRITION CHANGE IS A MUST
95% of my clients come to me for weight loss to look better, or sometimes because their doctor advised them to lose weight in order to manage the disease. As we speak, I’m working with clients that suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and their best progress indicator is improving their health, how they feel before we can begin to focus on weight loss. I’ve always preached, that food can be the best form of medicine or the worst poison. As my clients feel better weight loss naturally takes care of itself.
If you don’t have my FREE nutrition ebook, grab your copy from this link -> Janemukami.com/free-ebook
Did you learn something new from this week’s newsletter? If so drop a comment below or ask a question and I will respond within 48 hours 🙂
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Question for you: What is the easiest yet most underrated physical activity of ALL time? Drop your answer in the comments too. The answer will be revealed next week and you will be super surprised 🙂
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Have an awesome Friday Transformers!
Hi Jane. First of all may our good Lord bless you for your dedication and hard work. Your programmes have changed lives.
I’m on a quest for health.
Your 21 days challenges have been of great help to me.
God bless you.
Damn what a story.
Thank you Jane, I always love reading your articles as they are full of aspirations and knowledge. Health and Fitness yes, a good topic indeed. I always looking forward to your next articles. May God bless you for transforming the lives of many of us in different parts of the world. Valuable and free lessons that are neither taught in class nor shared in details by those who claim to be health and fitness experts. Thank you very much
Terry Kigundu- AKA ( Terry Nyina Wa Neema)
Yes I have learned the difference between health and fitness.
The easiest yet underrated exercise is a brisk walk for 30 minutes.
Am on day three of 10days detox
This is quite interesting and eye opening
Yes,either for fitness or health NUTRITION IS THE KEY.
My mindset totally changed,major game changer. Thank you Mukami
I thought being fit meant that you are healthy!!! Wow..I have learnt something new today, thanks Jane Mukami
I have confirmed the difference between fitness and health,,, I love doing squats but most people think that it doesn’t work out.. For me am witnessing the best results in me… Squats requires patiency and determination at least every day. Thank you!
Walking and skipping rope
Walking is the best exercise of all times
Am overweight given that my BMI is over 30.I hv high blood pressure and would like to be healthy.
yes learned that you can be overweight and still be healthy provided you are not ailing from any decease.The easiest exercise is walking for at least 30 minutes.
Yes have learnt the difference between the two and am looking to be fit since am healthy. I think walking is underrated.
Yes I have learnt the difference between health and fitness. The easiest yet underrated exercise is walking
The easiest underrated exercise is walking.
Easiest exercise is breathing, inhaling and exhaling lol
Always taking the stairs
Yes. I have definitely learnt the difference between the two
Absolutely I have learned something new..now I understand why my friend will all all types of junks and not add an inch..”Skinny Fat”.
Easiest yet underated exersice,,,,,Should be love making(Sex)
Yes got the difference between the two.. mine is fitness as I gain alot of wait during pregnancy and after giving birth.
Baby now 1 year.
Have learnt that difference between being healthy and fit. The most underrated form of exercise is walking
Health and fitness, what a I used to think it is was and what I have learnt has made things clear. I get the difference now and the way both of them work.
The most underatted exercise is the daily walk.
Yaap now I understand wot it means to b healthy n fitnes
Yes I’ve learned so much. The easiest yet most underrated workout is walking
Funny enough I teach about health, but never taken time to internalize it. Thanks. One important exercise that is ignored is walking
I got an idea that there is different btn health and fitness, I usually do exercises for the last 5months and I should do it to reach my goal
Yes I have learnt you can be as fit as a fiddle and still fall ill:o( like your friend above.
The easiest is putting one leg in front of the other walking!!! its good for our mental health and it costs nothing. I have heard it might be better than running is this true?
Hey Jane,
I have learnt that one can be fit but not necessarily healthy. To be healthy, we need to pay attention to our nutrition. Easiest and most underrated exercise is walking.
Hv learnt the difference between health and fitness.
I have learnt that being healthy does not necessarily mean that onevis fit. I always thought thoes who eat healthy are fit. Skinny-fat , word of the day..
Hi Jane,
Thanks for the insight, i now know the difference. Am not too much of an exercise person, but i walk for at least 30 minutes a days since i started the no wheat and sugar challenge, i feel so good about myself that i dont think i will ever use sugar again. Wheat am still trying very hard.
Good reminder – Nutrition change is a must!!!
Easiest yet underrated physical activity? Sleep? :
I have learnt the difference between fitness and health. The most underrated exercise is skipping a rope.
Well explained and understood,Easiest yet underrated exercise is walking.
Walking
Great Info.
hey, thanks so much for this very informative piece.
See my lifestyle…I have for the first time ever since joining your page 21 days of change, taken part in a challenge (No wheat, No sugar, No fruits) and I can already see my body frame getting smaller, I have also been able to incorporate leg lifts in the morning then walk for a total of about 50 minutes daily.
I feel this finally will be my breakthrough ( I am working on my lower abdomen which protrudes after a CS two years ago and also a stronger back bone.
Not looking back….
Yes i have read the differences and i require both of them.Thanks Jane for the wonderful information.
Yes have realy learnt alot…thanks jane
Wooow I now know the difference.. I want to be fit
Wooow I now know the difference.. I want to be fit.
Oh yes I’ve learnt a lot and I realise that my need is for both nutrition and fitness as I’m both overweight and unfit. Also I’m glad that Janae is well. I think walking is the easy underrated exercise. Thank you tho.
Easiest exercise is walking-Adopted at least walking to and from work minimum 3 days a week
I read all
Yes I have learned the difference between health and fitness.
What is the easiest yet most underrated physical activity of ALL time? Walking
Hi.thank you for the information-got to know the difference plus feel I need both-to be fit and healthy.
The easiest is walking.
Your nutrition has to change for you to remain healthy and fit
Easiest activity is walking
Thanks so much for enlightening me.Surely I av learned a thing or two as I continue my quest to being fit.
Hi Jane,thanks for this letter.its very informative.I would want to say am healthy ,but am still working on my BMI.I have been trying to eat healthy and now want to join a gym.I also work out a little at home.Will be getting the book very soon.Thank you so much for your effort,I know it takes a lot of research and time for you to prepare all that.Much appreciated.Your detox helped a lot.I have lost a total of 25 kilos in one year plus.
God bless you Jane.
Hi,I’ve learnt a lot from this,thanks,the easiest activity is walking.
Great job! I have learnt the difference. Well elaborated.
Hi Jane, thanks for the insights and your consistency in investing in our health and fitness journey. Please feature an article on how to deal with hormonal pot belly. Thanks
Thanks Mukami for being there for the lazy ones in exercise ad eating wrong food like me. I think am skinny fat, I will follow you faithfully, promise. God bless you.
Thanks for this Jane. God bless you
I think I need both health and fitness.
Dear Jane,
Greetings and Happy Belated New Year.
Thank you so much for the good work you continue doing and thank you so much for the free e-book. God Bless you mightily.
I am one of those who have struggled with weight such a long time.
Thank you.
Florence
This is an amazing article. I got the two concepts confused for a long time in the pursuit of weight loss. Now, I know better. The 4th floor is time -11th hour- but better than nothing to start living healthy. No more excuses. Walking everyday is a good exercise, ditch the car, get up every so often if you have a desk job- movement counts
This is soo helpful. Thank you
Yes the easiest and most underrated exercise is a brisk walk. I have been brisk walking home from work about 3- 4 times a week for the last 2 years and I can say it’s intense, tiring and effective. I walk about 12 kilometres. I need God’s intervention and Grace when it comes to discipline in nutrition though.
Thanks Jane for your informative article and encouragement.. Be blessed
Thanks for sharing the difference between the two. Walking is the easiest yet it is underrated.
Amazing piece. I have learnt the difference between healthy and fitness. I don’t know how to control my appetite it’s affecting my weight loss journey.
Thanks Jane
I have gained from this write up. I now think I have to first eat well and gain my health as I loose weight.
Then I can join fitness activities in order to be for and lean….
Thanks
Mukami love your article,Am striving to be fit and minimize the chances of lifestyle diseases.Walking should be the most underrated exercise.
Waoh! I have never looked at the two words critically but now i do and it is amazing to see how different they are yet equally important. brisk walk is the most ignored exercise
awesome,thanks Jane
Thanks for the info… Very educative…. Now I know the difference between the two..
Wow…
Am so encouraged by your determination on health and fitness av started working on the challenges hoping am going to accomplish my goals
Hi Mukami. Your experiences are quite inspiring. I would like to be both for and healthy. I want to get used to eating healthy. So is it possible to get a 3 month healthy eating plan that o can follow as I work out. I really need a change. Thanks
my clean eating ebook has a generic plan eatclean.janemukami.com I do offer to create custom weight loss plans as well that are more catered to you specifically and your goals. I also have a 3 month coaching program. learn more by visiting bit.ly/learnmoreJM