A key component of every weight loss program is fitness. What is fitness exactly? It’s the combination of physical activity, the energy it gives you, plus the strength and positive feelings you gain from it. Every person has a different type of body with a different level of fitness. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to be fit. You are at a high level of fitness when you feel like you’re at your best.

Exercising is the healthiest and most efficient way to lose weight. A healthy weight loss program has to include healthy foods AND exercising. Being active can give you more energy, a positive attitude and make your body burn all that excess fat you don’t want. All diet books include fitness as a main component of their diet programs. Fitness centers, fitness groups and fitness journals are all different ways you can seek out support from other people working on staying physically fit, just like you.

Fitness can fall into four different categories:

Aerobic Endurance Fitness
This is your body’s capability to exercise for a long period of time at a moderate speed. One example is jogging.

Anaerobic Threshold Fitness
Your body reaches this fitness threshold when your muscles don’t receive enough oxygen. At this point your muscles create lactic acid and you start to feel them tightening. It is important to drink lots of water and stretch to release the achy feeling.

Muscle Strength Fitness
This is your body’s ability to create a lot of force in a short period of time. You can increase your muscle strength by using weights. However, it is very important to use those weights correctly and to take days off from the weight room when necessary.

Muscular Endurance Fitness
You can measure this type of fitness by how long and how much force your muscles can create. In order to increase endurance, you have to overload those muscles.