There are marked schisms evidenced regarding individual approaches to health. There are the (uber)healthy. Those who extend noticeable efforts toward establishing and maintaining their health and wellness. There are those who are minimally healthy. They don’t prioritize health, per se, but are functional in light of mild to moderate health challenges. There are those who are unhealthy. This may be do to health challenges or due to (conscious) neglect. These are somewhat generalized categories to be taken as an outline to how health is distributed throughout society in the U.S. A.
Attentiveness to health and wellness can be at the forefront for some individuals and on the back burner for others. It can be an obsessive pursuit, being healthy. Expressing or exhibiting concern over diet, lifestyle, movement acquisition and such, to others, is perceived as, I believe the term is, ‘extra’. On the other end, health issues may present a serious barrier to being fit. In many cases this is the issue. In others, activities can be undertaken, a better regimen of consuming is accessible, and attitudes can monitored and adjusted. Health, to even a small degree, can be improved upon.
The uber healthy individual is conscientious about their body, in general. They want to be aligned with optimally pursuing their wellness objectives. Some of them come from an active background (athletics, physically challenging professions, exposure to health lifestyle at an early age). Some people take up health pursuits as a way to overcome or deal with life challenges (sickness, emotional challenges, personal objectives). Health does not have to be an all or nothing journey. There are those (healthier individuals) who maintain their existence on the healthier side so they can enjoy, some of, the pleasures (within moderation) of mundane, 3D life.
The people who eschew specifically adhering to a healthy lifestyle can proceed through life with a few challenges. Living life in this fashion does increase exposure to the effects of aging. Compromised metabolic processes, genetic predispositions, and exposure-related maladies can be (are) more prevalent as one ages. Exercise and eating more healthfully are known to be a mitigating influences against many of these aforementioned effects. Yet, some individuals choose to proceed through life with ‘minimal’ interest in sustaining an optimal level of health and wellness. Living daily and taking life as it comes may work out well in some cases. Statistically, health related actions and activities lead to healthier outcomes.
There are some people who have marked limitations on the amount of physical activity that they can indulge. Injury caused limitations can be severely limiting. Spinal Cord injuries, extreme forms of cancer (Payne and Saul 2000). physical conditions, especially angina or musculo-skeletal disease. In contrast to Cohen et al. (1995), poor mental health (depression). It is challenging for say a morbidly obese person to begin a walking program. Financial capacity, in light of limited physical capability, may also restrict someone from accessing facilities which support one being physical active. Yet, health challenged situations, in some instances, do allow for minimal physical activity to be undertaken. It should be attempted if it can be (attempted).
This is my take on the health landscape. I would, of course, welcome any input that others may have on this subject. In the U.S.A., health costs are high. A significant bulk of the U.S.A. Budget spending is allocated to health. This can be attributed to lack of prioritizing individual health. To have and to maintain a regimen of nutritious food intake, beneficial movement, proper stress management can provide longstanding benefits to the individual. These benefits are cumulative; the accumulation persists as one engages the modalities on a regular basis. Create your program. If possible, do it.
Ab-Sutra Wellness and Fitness 