There are tons of methods to “get fit” in the Hill Country. For many, when the word “fitness” is uttered, the image that comes to mind is that of the shirtless meathead flexing his lats and doing burpees until he pukes, or the mamasaurus who runs ten miles before work while pushing the twins in the stroller in front of her. While there may be an element of fitness involved in the above two examples, true fitness is much more wide-ranging. Many of you who think you may never get up off the couch again may be more “fit” than you think.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human services fitness is defined as, “a set of attributes that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity.” Technicalities aside, you can look at fitness as simply your ability or inability to accomplish any particular physical task.
Photo: Stefanie Monk
For the average Joe, fitness can look like you getting those Christmas decorations down from the attic without breaking an ornament or throwing out your back. It could also look like a mom getting three toddlers into the car at the grocery store. It could look like banging out a quick mile or two before your commute to work or throwing down a few pushups and situps before bed. Yes, there are things you can do to increase your level of fitness, but it’s not practical or functional to think that you’re not “fit” unless you can deadlift 600 pounds and run a sub five-minute mile.
By answering these simple questions, you can complete a quick and easy evaluation of your fitness. With each question rate your level of exertion on a scale of 1-10, “1” being the lowest, “10” being the exertion is so high you feel like you may pass out:
