You're Fit, But Are You Healthy?

Health and fitness are not the same thing. At 46 Andrew Boardman was the fittest he had ever been in his life. When he walked to the starting line of a marathon in Blackburn on August 3 2016 he expected to finish well, but he never made the race. He collapsed with a massive stroke minutes before the start. Less than 24 hours later he was dead. Mr Boardman's death shocked his family and friends, because as an experienced marathoner and triathlete he was extremely fit. His case could be viewed as isolated if not for numerous other examples of athletes dying under similar circumstance. Their deaths only underscore the reality that being fit does not mean being healthy.

Fit Does Not Mean Healthy
Healthy is defined as "being well", and basically means that your body is functioning properly. Fitness relates to stamina and strength. If you are fitter you can run faster and longer, lift heavier weight, and perform physical activities more easily, but it doesn't necessarily mean you are healthier. After many studies there is no clear evidence that fitness alone leads to longer and healthier life. The truth is what you eat is more important for health than how much you exercise. And because of the impact food has on your body it is actually possible to be fit and unhealthy at the same time. Regular exercise can be a part of staying healthy, but a conflict between fitness and health arises when exercise is accompanied by unhealthy eating. For example, for a long time it was believed that carbohydrate increased athletic response and recovery. The latest research is showing that a high carb diet is not the best energy solution, and is actually harmful in the long term even at increased fitness levels. The reason for this is that high levels of carbohydrate passing through your system increases the sugar that your body has to process. Not only is carbohydrate more easily turned into body fat, too much of it places stress upon your body, contributing to a state of inflammation, and leading to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and disease. There is new evidence that a high carb diet in elite athletes who would be considered by most to be “very healthy” actually contributes directly to increased levels of heart disease.

You Are What You Eat
By eating the wrong way you will become more unhealthy even if you exercise to get fitter. Exercise and fitness can’t make up for bad eating. Ultimately, you are what you eat. The solution is to combine a healthy diet with any fitness activities. At Xndo we recommend a balanced low carb diet with a variety of foods low in carbs and sugar, high in protein, with healthy fats and lots of vegetables for fibre. We provide the tools and products to achieve that balance. In short, chase protein, indulge in fiber, enjoy the fat, and avoid carbs. That way you can be both fit, and healthy.