Fitness, health, and appearance.

People confuse fitness, health, and appearance rather too often. And to the detriment of their own self-confidence and the self-respect of others around them (especially if they are being shamed by you for things you do not fully understand). So, here’s a short (and very superficial, though factual, and a quick & dirty) primer on the difference between these three ideas:

Fitness: The ability to pick things up, bend, stretch, reach, climb, push, work longer, run faster, jump higher, do explosive movements like swinging, kicking, punching, and generally stay energetic throughout your daily activity without fatigue or burnout. In short, strength, speed, stamina, endurance, flexibility, etc.

Health: The lack of disease or illness, with your blood sugar, blood pressure, uric acid, cholesterol, liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, pancreas, thyroid gland, digestive system, etc., being in good shape to allow you to lead an active life without the need for or with the minimum of regular medical intervention. This is, of course, physical health. Mental health is the strength and willingness to do your daily activity with joy and vigour and looking forward to the next day with hope and expectation.

Appearance: Your waistline, leg length, bust and bicep size, hair & skin, straightness & colour of teeth, dress size, facial features, looks, and so on. Mostly, this is based on social conditioning and the fashion of the times you live in and is not as intrinsic as the other two (health and fitness), which are more objective and eternal in that respect.

N.B.: You’ll notice I did not mention ‘weight’ in any of these categories. Because it appears everywhere. Your weight is a cause and effect of your fitness, health, and appearance. There are, of course, things like clinical obesity and malnourishment, as well as being underweight. But there is nothing quick & dirty (the idea of this post) to say about it. You may look what society defines as ‘fat’ but could be all three: fit, healthy, and beautiful. You may look what society defines as ‘thin’, but may be neither. Or the other way around.

Of course, these don’t stand alone in splendid isolation, but each of these flows from and affects the other. And you need all three to lead a fulfilling life. Many of these are genetic and depend on your winning the genetic lottery. Some need hard work. Some need just a good diet and adequate rest and hydration. And some need a stress-free life to achieve. They are all interdependent and still separate in their own way. Unfortunately, we humans seem to focus excessively on appearances, the most subjective (and fleeting) of these! But that is only a third (if even that) of the story. For example, being thin and able to pour oneself into a tiny dress should not be mistaken for being fit and/or healthy. It can be (if it is a by-product of the first two, not if it purely something you inherited). But mostly, it isn’t. Know the difference. And modify your lifestyle (and ego) accordingly.

On that note, the little one is ready to race (5km) in the NDA Marathon and having warmed up, stretched, and got her pep talk from her Cheerleader-for-Life, Mr Baba, now awaits the flag-off that would happen at around 0700h if all goes well. The little champ has been up since 0300h and is looking forward to a good timing (we are only concerned with beating our PB, and not besting anyone else at the present moment) today. Wish her luck.

And yes, good morning, folks!

P.S.: Since I’ve simplified the definitions all for easier comprehension, I now await ‘experts’ to correct me and point out this nuance or the other so they can feel smug and have a good day.

P.P.S.: The cries of Jai Shivaji, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Vande Mataram, Jai Shree Ram, and Ganpati Bappa Morya are a testament to how far back we have gone. I’ve attended hundreds of events in my life. This bullshit is most definitely new (something I have only seen in the past 5 -odd years). It is jarring. And absolutely unnecessary.