S
www.Superfunctionalism.com
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Your body's functions are wide-ranging, from motion to sensory
to digestive. These functions are performed by a collection of
synergistic systems, made up of nerves, organs, bones, and all
the various matter that composes a human being. This web
page will focus on the benefits derived from caring for your
body, as well as the techniques for doing so. Wheverever
possible, external links are provided for further study into areas
not discussed in-depth on this page.
The body's many systems include: the cardiovascular system,
the digestive system, the endocrine system, the excretory
system, the immune system, the integumentary system, the
muscular system, the nervous system, the reproductive system,
the respiratory system, and the skeletal system. With proper
nutrition, exercize, and rest, a person can care for all of their
systems to achieve maximum health, energy, physical
performance, and condition.
to digestive. These functions are performed by a collection of
synergistic systems, made up of nerves, organs, bones, and all
the various matter that composes a human being. This web
page will focus on the benefits derived from caring for your
body, as well as the techniques for doing so. Wheverever
possible, external links are provided for further study into areas
not discussed in-depth on this page.
The body's many systems include: the cardiovascular system,
the digestive system, the endocrine system, the excretory
system, the immune system, the integumentary system, the
muscular system, the nervous system, the reproductive system,
the respiratory system, and the skeletal system. With proper
nutrition, exercize, and rest, a person can care for all of their
systems to achieve maximum health, energy, physical
performance, and condition.
The Benefits of Health & Fitness
Because the body is, literally, your vessel on planet Earth, and your interface to physical reality, it is
somewhat obvious why its condition will affect the quality of your life. Nonetheless, the specific ways your
physical condition effects the quality of your life are:
Outside of these 5 reasons are myriad others. Suffice it to say, your fitness not only directly affects your
ability to perform the very actions necessary to carry out your plans, but also acts reflexively on your other
symbiotic components, mind, spirit, and career through the harmful side effects of poor condition, which
include the opposite of the above: obesity, poor health, low energy, low motivation, low self-esteem,
increased levels of negative hormones like cortisol.
Fitness is easily achieved through three major activities, which if pursued continually, will increase your
fitness levels, and in turn, produce the above-referenced positive effects.
Nutrition
There are a variety of fad diets available this century. They include low carb, no carb, vegetarian, all liquid,
staring into the sun (I'm not kidding), low fat, no fat, no protein... oops - that last one just isn't possible! The
point is, there are many choices out there for healthy eating. However, most dieticians and nutritionists
agree upon the standard urged by the Unitied States Department of Agriculture (USDA), published in two
forms:
1. The Food Guide Pyramid (originally released in 1992; updated in 2005);
1992 Version (above)
2005 Version (above)
2005 Guidelines
2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Please click on the title, "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," above, to read the entire USDA Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, an extensive, highly detailed publication on nutrition and health.
Between these two resources, people can build a healthy body by feeding it the right foods in the
proper amounts. This is the essence of nutrition. Nutrition's role in physical fitness is vital, because the
human body is designed to process food in a certain way. It needs certain vitamins and minerals for the
proper functioning of its various organs, it needs fiber for the proper functioning of the digestive
system, and it needs caloric nutrients in the right amounts for the proper functioning of the
musculoskeletal system, immune system, nervous system, and all its various systems. Here is a link to a
helpful chart listing vitamins and minerals, their effects, their recommended amounts, and natural sources
for them:
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/vitamin-mineral-chart.htm
CALORIC NUTRIENTS
Caloric nutrients consist of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. These nutrients vary from one another both
in caloric density, and in chemical makeup. Your body processed them differently. This is why all-protein
diets have gained a lot of popularity, despite the fact that carbohydrates contain the same number of
calories per gram.
FAD DIETS
The main characteristic of a fad diet is that it causes weight loss by completely cutting out an
essential nutrient or more, such as carbohydrates. What is dangerous about fad diets is that different
nutrients provide different essentials in a human's diet. If you follow a fad diet without strict
attention to your nutritional requirements, you will end up doing more harm than good. The harm will
be in the form of lack of fiber, vitamin or mineral deficiency, liver damage, or worse, death. That's why,
if you are not a nutrition expert, it is wise to either simply follow the USDA's recommendations, or to
consult a dietician about your goals.
RECIPE ANALYZER
Here is a link to helpful software program called the ApexDiet Recipe Analyzer. It will analyze the nutritional
value of any recipe you plug in! And its free! Click Here:
www.workoutgenerator.com
Exercize
It is recommended for all people to get at least 20 minutes of brisk walking 3 times a week. Of course, this
is the very minimum considered safe for all people (even if you're over 70). Consult a doctor prior to
beginning any new exercise routine.
Depending on your age, weight, beginning strength and health, and goals, there are infinite combinations
of workouts available. The navy seals recommend a workout routine that includes strength conditioning,
stretching, cardiovascular conditioning, and endurance conditioning. If you want to try to challenge yourself
to meet the vigorous SEALS requirements, check them out here:
http://www.navyseals.com/community/navyseals/navysealworkout_main.cfm
For the rest of us, it is wise to consult a certified professional, such as a personal trainer, in the
beginning, to get an idea of where to start. From there, regardless of what you're doing, your body will
naturally adjust. You'll become stronger, more energetic, more fit, and will need to increase your
intensity or duration.
For a great program which can help you put together a sample routine, check out the Workout Generator
link provided above, if you haven't already. Workout Generator will allow you to customize your work out
according to the equipment you have available, the number of sets and reps you are willing to do, and
the body parts you wish to work out. Here it is again:
http://www.workoutgenerator.com
For more information on exercise, click here:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/physical_exercise
For helpful instructional videos, workout plans, gender-targeted exercise information, and a plethora
of helpful exercize products, click here:
http://www.exrx.net
I recommend using EXRX.NET (exercise prescription) in conjunction with the Workout Generator to build a
routine that works for you, and then to properly perform the exercises with correct form and a good
understanding of kinesiology.
Rest
Insufficient rest is the cause of a majority of unexplained ills. The recommended amount is 8 hours per
night, though this varies depending on a number of factors, from age to alcohol consumption. http:
//www.webmd.com/content/article/62/71838.htm
If you are exercising, then your body heals itself while you are asleep from the damage you've done
during your workout. Without sufficient rest, then you will be damaging your body without giving it a
chance to repair itself. This is counterproductive to your goals.
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/122/114627.htm
Sleep disorders can include: Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness, Sleep Apnea, Snoring, Sleepwalking,
Teethgrinding, Nightmares, Drug-and Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Circadian Rhythm Disorder, Narcolepsy,
and Restless Legs Syndrome.
Necessary functions of sleep include bodily repair, information processing and storage, rest for
eyes and muscles, and exercise for your subconscious.
Answer the questions,
To learn all about sleep, visit the WebMD's Sleep Center at:
http://www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/sleep_disorders.htm
CONCLUSION
Your body's physical condition affects your goal achievement in one way or another. It can have a
positive, enhancing, effect, or it can have a negative, hindering effect. The higher your level of physical
fitness, the easier it will be to attain your goals for many reasons. These include social reasons,
physical reasons, neurological reasons, and emotional reasons. On the other hand, there is a flip side
to good health, and it is poor health, which will also have an impact for social, physical, neurological,
and emotional reasons.
With proper diet, a person need only exercise 3-5 hours a week to get in shape and maintain a vibrant,
healthy level of fitness. Regardless of your diet and nutrition, improper sleep habits can hinder your
performance in every area as well. Be sure to learn about your own need for sleep, get treatment for any
possible sleep disorders you have, and schedule your life so that you will remain at a positive sleep
balance, not a deficit.
Because the body is, literally, your vessel on planet Earth, and your interface to physical reality, it is
somewhat obvious why its condition will affect the quality of your life. Nonetheless, the specific ways your
physical condition effects the quality of your life are:
- 1) physical fitness increases your energy levels, which in turn affects
your productivity, your efficiency, and your capabilities to perform or
to enjoy many activities; - 2) physical fitness boosts your immune system, preventing disease
and decreasing its effects; - 3) physical fitness improves your social life by giving you greater self-
confidence as well as by making a favorable impression on other
people (this, in turn, effects other aspects of your life, such as your
motivation, and emotional balance); - 4) physical fitness activities release hormones, such as seratonin,
testosterone, and human growth hormone, to name a few, which
effect your mental state; - 5) physical fitness extends your life span by lowering your stress
levels and increasing the effectiveness of your body's many
systems.
Outside of these 5 reasons are myriad others. Suffice it to say, your fitness not only directly affects your
ability to perform the very actions necessary to carry out your plans, but also acts reflexively on your other
symbiotic components, mind, spirit, and career through the harmful side effects of poor condition, which
include the opposite of the above: obesity, poor health, low energy, low motivation, low self-esteem,
increased levels of negative hormones like cortisol.
Fitness is easily achieved through three major activities, which if pursued continually, will increase your
fitness levels, and in turn, produce the above-referenced positive effects.
Nutrition
There are a variety of fad diets available this century. They include low carb, no carb, vegetarian, all liquid,
staring into the sun (I'm not kidding), low fat, no fat, no protein... oops - that last one just isn't possible! The
point is, there are many choices out there for healthy eating. However, most dieticians and nutritionists
agree upon the standard urged by the Unitied States Department of Agriculture (USDA), published in two
forms:
1. The Food Guide Pyramid (originally released in 1992; updated in 2005);
1992 Version (above)
2005 Version (above)
2005 Guidelines
2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Please click on the title, "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," above, to read the entire USDA Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, an extensive, highly detailed publication on nutrition and health.
Between these two resources, people can build a healthy body by feeding it the right foods in the
proper amounts. This is the essence of nutrition. Nutrition's role in physical fitness is vital, because the
human body is designed to process food in a certain way. It needs certain vitamins and minerals for the
proper functioning of its various organs, it needs fiber for the proper functioning of the digestive
system, and it needs caloric nutrients in the right amounts for the proper functioning of the
musculoskeletal system, immune system, nervous system, and all its various systems. Here is a link to a
helpful chart listing vitamins and minerals, their effects, their recommended amounts, and natural sources
for them:
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/vitamin-mineral-chart.htm
CALORIC NUTRIENTS
Caloric nutrients consist of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. These nutrients vary from one another both
in caloric density, and in chemical makeup. Your body processed them differently. This is why all-protein
diets have gained a lot of popularity, despite the fact that carbohydrates contain the same number of
calories per gram.
FAD DIETS
The main characteristic of a fad diet is that it causes weight loss by completely cutting out an
essential nutrient or more, such as carbohydrates. What is dangerous about fad diets is that different
nutrients provide different essentials in a human's diet. If you follow a fad diet without strict
attention to your nutritional requirements, you will end up doing more harm than good. The harm will
be in the form of lack of fiber, vitamin or mineral deficiency, liver damage, or worse, death. That's why,
if you are not a nutrition expert, it is wise to either simply follow the USDA's recommendations, or to
consult a dietician about your goals.
RECIPE ANALYZER
Here is a link to helpful software program called the ApexDiet Recipe Analyzer. It will analyze the nutritional
value of any recipe you plug in! And its free! Click Here:
www.workoutgenerator.com
Exercize
It is recommended for all people to get at least 20 minutes of brisk walking 3 times a week. Of course, this
is the very minimum considered safe for all people (even if you're over 70). Consult a doctor prior to
beginning any new exercise routine.
Depending on your age, weight, beginning strength and health, and goals, there are infinite combinations
of workouts available. The navy seals recommend a workout routine that includes strength conditioning,
stretching, cardiovascular conditioning, and endurance conditioning. If you want to try to challenge yourself
to meet the vigorous SEALS requirements, check them out here:
http://www.navyseals.com/community/navyseals/navysealworkout_main.cfm
For the rest of us, it is wise to consult a certified professional, such as a personal trainer, in the
beginning, to get an idea of where to start. From there, regardless of what you're doing, your body will
naturally adjust. You'll become stronger, more energetic, more fit, and will need to increase your
intensity or duration.
For a great program which can help you put together a sample routine, check out the Workout Generator
link provided above, if you haven't already. Workout Generator will allow you to customize your work out
according to the equipment you have available, the number of sets and reps you are willing to do, and
the body parts you wish to work out. Here it is again:
http://www.workoutgenerator.com
For more information on exercise, click here:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/physical_exercise
For helpful instructional videos, workout plans, gender-targeted exercise information, and a plethora
of helpful exercize products, click here:
http://www.exrx.net
I recommend using EXRX.NET (exercise prescription) in conjunction with the Workout Generator to build a
routine that works for you, and then to properly perform the exercises with correct form and a good
understanding of kinesiology.
Rest
Insufficient rest is the cause of a majority of unexplained ills. The recommended amount is 8 hours per
night, though this varies depending on a number of factors, from age to alcohol consumption. http:
//www.webmd.com/content/article/62/71838.htm
If you are exercising, then your body heals itself while you are asleep from the damage you've done
during your workout. Without sufficient rest, then you will be damaging your body without giving it a
chance to repair itself. This is counterproductive to your goals.
- Popular sleep science has introduced a lot of research into sleep deprivation,
and the conclusions can be alarming. According to webmd.com, "too little sleep
may cause:
- memory problems
- depression, and
- weakening of your immune system."
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/122/114627.htm
Sleep disorders can include: Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness, Sleep Apnea, Snoring, Sleepwalking,
Teethgrinding, Nightmares, Drug-and Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Circadian Rhythm Disorder, Narcolepsy,
and Restless Legs Syndrome.
Necessary functions of sleep include bodily repair, information processing and storage, rest for
eyes and muscles, and exercise for your subconscious.
Answer the questions,
- How much sleep do you need?
- What are the stages of sleep?
- How much do you know about sleep?
- Do you have a sleep disorder?
- How can I find a Sleep Specialist?
To learn all about sleep, visit the WebMD's Sleep Center at:
http://www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/sleep_disorders.htm
CONCLUSION
Your body's physical condition affects your goal achievement in one way or another. It can have a
positive, enhancing, effect, or it can have a negative, hindering effect. The higher your level of physical
fitness, the easier it will be to attain your goals for many reasons. These include social reasons,
physical reasons, neurological reasons, and emotional reasons. On the other hand, there is a flip side
to good health, and it is poor health, which will also have an impact for social, physical, neurological,
and emotional reasons.
With proper diet, a person need only exercise 3-5 hours a week to get in shape and maintain a vibrant,
healthy level of fitness. Regardless of your diet and nutrition, improper sleep habits can hinder your
performance in every area as well. Be sure to learn about your own need for sleep, get treatment for any
possible sleep disorders you have, and schedule your life so that you will remain at a positive sleep
balance, not a deficit.
All Contents of this page and every other page in this domain are Copyright (C) 2007 by Michael Patrick Rooney.
| THE HUMAN BODY |
| Kiera Knightly |
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| fig. B1- NUTRIENT DENSITY |
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