Fitness

You can hardly pick up a women's magazine these days that doesn't have some sort of fitness plan outlined among its pages. Often the accompanying photographs show thin, defined, athletic women who bear little resemblance to us or to any of our friends. Meant to encourage, sometimes these articles have the opposite effect, as we put the magazine down thinking "I'll never look like that, so why bother."

But fitness is not really about looks, it's about health. Many women find that as they get fitter, their goals change. They feel good and strong and healthy, and that quality of life takes precedence over vanity. Looking great, which doesn't necessarily mean being thin, becomes a side effect.

Not everyone can be the protectress of a city like Vesta, but we are all the guardians of our own health. In many cases, we're also the caretakers and the role models for our families.

Many activities lead to fitness -- walk, jog, bicycle, lift weights, swim, attend aerobics classes, learn swing dancing, take up yoga, skate, hike, jump rope, fence, kayak, do calisthenics. Even vigorous house cleaning or weeding in the garden counts.

And don't forget about sports. Soccer, softball, volleyball, football, rugby, and other team activities are more than just exercise, they're social outings. Pallas Athene affects how strongly you are drawn to (or repelled by) sports.

As we find again and again, moderation is the key. Women who become obsessed with exercise, who work out too hard too often, damage their bodies. Over-exercising can cause your body to consume its muscle tissue rather than burn fat, leading to serious health complications.

If you catch yourself trying to account for every calorie you ingested during the day or working out at maximum intensity even when you have the flu, you've gone too far. A good counselor or your health practitioner can help you regain the proper balance.

Fitness is not a temporary thing -- it's a lifestyle. And it has to come from within -- no one can do it for you.

When you introduce exercise into your life, remember to take it slowly at first. Choose active modes that are fun for you and vary your routine -- you're more likely to stick to your resolve to get and stay fit. Most people find that having a workout buddy helps them keep going when they're feeling discouraged. Many fitness Web sites offer motivation as well as information.

Check out the Fitness Grid and the Fitness Profiles

More on Health:

Health
Diet
Alternative Remedies
Fitness Grid

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Recommended Links on Health:

iVillage All Health Channel
iVillage Diet & Fitness Channel