Young and Fit: By Accident Or Intention?

If you're young and physically fit you've been blessed. If you appreciate your blessing then certainly you'll desire to retain your fit condition as you grow older.

Staying young isn't possible but staying fit is. If you're young ask yourself if you're accidentally fit because you're young- or are you fit through intention and conscious choice.

Out of shape older people could be out of shape for the same reason they were in shape when they were young: they were fit by accident - because they were young - with no conscious intention to be physically fit.

Look at your choices and your habits under a microscope. Are you a person who is habitually too busy to exercise? Does your lunch come from a gas station quick mart? Can you be too busy to make healthy choices? Maybe you're simply comfy where you are, unprepared or unwilling to change your status quo.

You can be young and accidentally fit, but you'll never be old and accidentally fit.

It's easy to understand how age is blamed for poor physical condition: time exacerbates results of abusive and neglectful habits.

Ask yourself what aging means to you. Do you believe you'll live (or not) to old age because of your genetics? Do you believe your choices and good habits can contribute to a healthier old age?

If a level of fitness comes automatically with youth, does that mean that the opposite, a level of "unfitness," comes automatically as you get older? The answer depends on much more than merely genetics or luck.

In a world that views better healthcare as access to cheaper, more affordable drugs, it's likely the meaning and reality of aging is misconstrued.

There is an undeniable reality to aging yet we can affect how we age by consciously and prudently choosing our habits. It is possible to stay in shape as you grow into an older adult.

This is not a discussion about unfortunate bad luck or accidents. We should sympathize with people who have unavoidable accidents that lead to ill-health. We should sympathize with people who become ill through no fault of their own or because they didn't' know better- before it was too late.

If you've visited an assisted living home you've seen seniors with extremely weak arm and leg muscles- so weak they can't get out of a chair or stand up without assistance.

Simple muscle weakness comes from muscle neglect. "Use it or lose it" is more than a trite expression. We can only do what we're able to do. The point is to do what you're able to do.

Conscious choice and intention, good choices consciously made that become your good habits- are fundamental to retaining the fitness that automatically comes with youth.

Don't make the common error of confusing aging with results from abuse or neglect. Don't unjustly assign results from years of bad habits to old age.

Live life with intention and the conscious choice to be fit. Consciously make choices that improve your body's condition while you consciously avoid choices you know are bad. Include fitness activities in your daily life. Eat Mother Nature's finest creations- in their original form. Avoid all processed foods. You don't want hidden calories or hidden ingredients.

Accidents should be avoided-even the accident of being young and fit. Young or old, don't live life accidentally.


Nina Lomax and Frankie O'Brien are two moms who have been working out all their lives. Nina has been a personal trainer for over 30 years. Frankie has been working out moderately and consistently for 50 years. Together they work to encourage people who struggle to work out and eat right. If you'd like to see what a lifetime of fitness looks like, visit http://www.FitHealthyLady.com and see for yourself. Watch their videos and read their fitness tips. Questions or comments are welcome.

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