Physical Fitness is a term that refers to how well you look and how well you perform physically. How well you look depends on your body posture, body build and body fat. Your physical performance is determined by your stamina, your strength, your agility and poise, and the control that you have over your body. Physical Fitness is not a simple thing. It depends on hereditary factors, nutritional habits and how active you are physically. Frequently, standards of physical fitness are set for specific occupations and work or sports. Astronauts and Olympic athletes, for example, must maintain an extremely high level of physical fitness in order to perform their required activities at their best. In the same way, a factory worker or white collar worker will work more effectively with a clear mind and less fatigue if he is physically fit. This is just as true for the housewife in the work she has to do.

Living today in the time saving, effort-conserving, push button type of existence is vastly different from a generation ago. We eat mushy food, ride on balloon tires while sitting on two inches of foam rubber and two inches of flabby fat. Lack of physical activity has made us soft. And, with all this, our working day has been shortened. We have more time for leisure pursuits – more time to be active.

Your life as an adult differs appreciably from that of a youth. As a youth, you were guided by parents, teachers, and physical educators in the choice of play activities that were valuable to your growth. As an adult, you are expected to fend for yourself. Look at yourself. More than likely your body shape is much changed from your appearance as a youth. Imagine the changes that have taken place within your body as well.