Fitness & body Essay Example for Free

Fitness body Essay Concept in the olden days about being fit was just looking healthy. Today we know that there is a lot more required to be healthy. Just because a person looks healthy does not mean that his arteries are not clogged up with cholesterol. In the dictionary fitness is described as being in a good state of health due to exercise and proper nutritional habits (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000). Thus to be physically fit an individual needs regular exercise and a balanced nutritional diet. Just falling into the required body mass index does not certify an individual as fit. Current Fitness and Nutritional Habits My body mass index falls in the normal range but I do not feel as healthy as I should at my age. Breakfast consists of cereal with milk or sometimes fried egg with brown bread. Occasionally I have heavy foods such as French toast or sweet tea with fried paratha. Lunch has white meat and is usually a heavy meal of the day. The meat is cooked with oily gravy and is usually consumed with rice. Dinner also consists of similar type of food items. Vegetable are only consumed about two to three times a week. I consume a soft drink almost every day. Sometimes consume around three soft drinks in one day. Have about four glasses of water each day. Do not follow any regular exercise plan. Since I live on the first floor climbing about thirty stairs is a normal routine. Spend a lot of time in front of the television or computer so a sedentary type of lifestyle. Try to walk around the house as often as possible but walking in the university is exhausting enough. Have to sit in the car for about an hour to go back and fourth from the university. Health problems related to obesity: An obese person has the risk of developing many problems and diseases. There can be heart diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, congestive heart disease, angina, sudden cardiac death and stroke. Cancers of the endometrial, colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney and post-menopausal breast cancer are also more likely to occur. Fatty liver disease, chronic venous insufficiency, gall bladder disease, breathing problems, deep vein thrombosis and arthritis are also shown to occur more commonly in obese individuals (Collins, 2000-2007). Fitness Habits There are many changes I can make to my daily routine to improve my health. Some of these changes are: regular exercise, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and playing badminton at least once a week. Regular exercise has many benefits. It increases the efficiency of the heart and increases the cardio-respiratory system’s ability to carry oxygen to the body. It helps regulate the cholesterol in the blood thus leading to lower cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure and decreased risk of coronary artery blockage. During exercise endorphins are released. These are normal body hormones that decrease depression, lower pain and elevate the mood. It helps prevent injuries and lower back pain. Exercise is also associates with a decreased risk of developing cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. Due to these numerous benefits if I do about one hour of fast passed walking each day it will do wonders for improving my health. Regular exercise also ensures that a person sleeps more regularly and is more alert and active. Climbing stairs is a great exercise for the leg muscles. It helps increase the heart rate thus providing a work out. Stamina is also increased. Since we have to get from one point to another it is better to pick a route that will help burn more calories. This is why the escalators and elevators should be avoided since they deprive our body of much needed calisthenics. Badminton or any other sport for that matter is a great exercise. It is a good way to work out without losing interest in the exercise. Sports not only help increase team spirit and people interaction but they are also a great way to pass time and get healthier simultaneously. A sport such as badminton involves running around. This is a great exercise and helps build better muscle tone and interaction. When something such as exercise becomes a source of enjoyment it can be done for longer periods of time without feeling the strain. Exercise helps decrease weight since it burns calories very quickly. Thus playing a sport, climbing stairs or doing regular exercises everyday will help improve my general health since I will lose weight, sleep better and become more alert. Nutritional Habits Three nutritional habits I can acquire to improve my health are: eating more vegetables, cutting down on soft drinks and eating fewer processed food. Vegetables are something that our elders have been raving about for years. We have to acknowledge that there is some wisdom to their praising the greens. One of the main benefits that vegetables provide is fiber. Fiber is very important to maintain a healthy and toned digestive system. It is the indigestible content of the vegetables that helps prevent constipation. The calorie content of vegetables is also very low. This is why a greater quantity can be eaten without the risk of exceeding the daily required calorie content. Soluble fiber also makes you feel more full so the urge to eat can be resisted (Fisher, 2009). Vegetables will keep my weight in check since I can eat more and stay full for longer without consuming too many calories. Soft drinks are one of the leading causes of obesity today. It is a known fact that they contain huge amounts of refined sugar. This can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain and premature aging. It also contains caffeine which is addictive and causes side effects such as jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, breast lumps, birth defects, and perhaps some forms of cancer. Aspartame is a chemical used as a substitute of sugar in diet soda. It causes over 92 different health side effects including brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilepsy/seizures. (Oleda and Company, 1996-2010). There may also be bone and teeth defects since soft drinks decreases the body calcium content. Cutting down on soft drinks will automatically help me reduce weight sinec it is such a fattening product. It will help improve my bones and teeth and my over all general health. Most of us usually prefer munching on junk food. Sometimes we become so addicted that we include junk food into our regular diet. Processed foods such as junk foods contain a lot of trans fats. This is a very harmful kind of fat and is not easily metabolized by the body. Avoiding junk food will help reduce weight since I will not be gaining too many calories from a very less quantity of food. General health will also improve since weight and digestive system will become healthy. Nutrition and exercise are the things that define us. As the saying goes: ‘you are what you eat’ we should be very cautious of the quality of nutrition we are providing our body. A balanced diet is essential to make our body keep working at it’s vital capasity. Over the decades exercise has proved to carry many benefits such as mood elevation and decreasing the possibility of many dieseases. If these two things are balanced we can truly become fit. This improvement will do wonders for our quality of life since everyone is well aware that a good life depends on quality and not quantity. References Collins, A. (2000-2007). Health Risks of Obesity. Retrieved july 10, 2010, from anne collins: http://www. annecollins. com/obesity/risks-of-obesity. htm Fisher, F. (2009, april 27). Benefits of eating vegetables cooked or raw. Retrieved july 10, 2010, from articles base: http://www. articlesbase. com/low-calorie-articles/benefits-of-eating-vegetables-cooked-or-raw-887732. html Houghton Mifflin Company. (2000). fitness . Retrieved july 10, 2010, from th efree dictionary by farlex: http://www. thefreedictionary. com/fitness Oleda and Company. (1996-2010). Dangers of Soda Pop (Carbonated Soft Drinks). Retrieved july 10, 2010, from oleda: http://www. oleda. com/oleda_tips/tips. asp? dept=48

Habitat Destruction and Biodiversity Loss Essay -- Loss of Biodiversit

"If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function, no amount of money will save us." -- David Suzuki Imagine this: bulldozers growl and grind through a local field, while the whine of chainsaws echoes from a nearby grove of trees. The trees crash to the ground, only to be cut up for firewood or sent to a sawmill, and the remaining ground is cleared of stumps and plowed. The tall grasses and brush in the field are demolished, leaving behind churned-up soil. Any birds or other small creatures that lived in the freshly cut trees have long since flown or run away in terror as their homes fell. The moles, mice, and other animals that lived in the field were either killed or forced to abandon the area in search of a new home. Soon to come on this land: a subdivision consisting of huge, two- or three-story houses with pristine front lawns and the occasional small, decorative tree placed by the main door. The scene painted above is becoming more and more common today; people want more space, more houses, more roads, more big buildings, more cities all over the world. However, what the population does not consider is that construction destroys natural habitat, or â€Å"the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows† (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). While humans may think nothing of this habitat destruction, it is actually the number one cause of extinction worldwide (Dudley 17) and influences many other species, including humans, that are not endangered or threatened. Habitat loss causes loss of biodiversity, which adversely affects the health and economy of human life. We as humans need to take more ... ...vernment. 08 Nov. 2008 . "Biodiversity.† Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 11th ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2007. Dudley, William, ed. Biodiversity. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2003. â€Å"Habitat.† Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 11th ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2007. Heimlich, Joe E., and Mitchell Smith. "Environmental Impact Statements.† FactSheet. Ohio State University. 09 Nov. 2008 . Novacek, Michael J., ed. The Biodiversity Crisis. New York: The New Press, 2001. Primack, Richard B. Essentials of Conservation Biology. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, Inc., 1993. David Suzuki Quote http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/biodiversity.html#xFwgQLK5MbhLMRjG.99

Reflection about

Wars seemed like things that only happened in the past or in movies, but now we grew up seeing the news, the deadlines, and the stories of the horrific events that have been happening since 2001 and now we see them as normal issues in our world, our perspective about the wars, social and political tragedies are way too normal now.This film made me think about how twisted the mind of some people is, how they can agree to destroy the life of many innocent people, either way for the AH-Qaeda group and for the â€Å"supposedly† attack of the Americans to the Muslim people that Osama Bin Laden once claimed. It also got me thinking hat the security of the airports back in those days were highly poor, maybe they trusted more or they didn't even wonder that someone would dare to hijacked a flight, but of course it changed after all this tragedies, now you can't even travel with liquids that are more than 3 oz. ND obviously you can't travel with knives anymore. This film made me feel s o disturbed and uncomfortable, seeing what it actually happened in those towers, the Pentagon, how people were running for their lives, how they were struggling to get out and survive the hell that hey lived in, and the death of all the people that were in those planes.It made appreciate that life can be taking away from us in just the matter of 1 second, we should appreciate all the things that we have no matter what and always demonstrate the love that you have towards your family, never skipping a day telling that you love them. What I found most surprising/interesting was that all of this events happened in such a small matter of time, in less than 3 hours bunch of things happened, he two Twin Towers were hit, the Pentagon was hit also by an airplane, and that the passengers took over the plane that was going to hit the White House.Also I found out to be really interesting that the people that were in the United Airlines Flight 93 were brave enough to go and risk their lives jus t so they could save the life Of others, those people are the kind who should be called heroes. What I found most shocking or disturbing is that the fact of people who were in the Twin Towers got so desperate and they decided to kill themselves by mumping out of the building because they gave up, they couldn't stand all the suffer and the agony of being trapped in a 80 floor building and be completely helpless.Also, I got so disturbed in just thinking of hearing some outdoor soft music that was coming from the speakers while people were dying in the inside of those 2 buildings. The music felt and sounded so demoniac, like if it were a horror film. It is important for people to know about 9/11 because it was an event that left a mark in the world that we live in, it changed so many lives and the lifestyle f most human being in the Earth.It got some consequences that can explain why the present is like it is, the consequence of the problems that 9/11 caused, and because it's a tragic event that happened in our lifetime and we saw everything that was happening. Also, we should be informed in all the important and basic events that the humanity has lived and not repeating them again, these are mistaken decisions that people have made and We need to learn from them to not committing them again.

Should Marijuana Be Legalized - 978 Words

I know at this point many will think; ok, maybe tobacco and alcohol are worse than marijuana, however legalizing this drug will only lead to an increase in violent crimes, and will cause more accidents on the road due to impaired driving. Furthermore, it will increase the use among teens and minors. As well as becoming a gateway drug that will lead to other dangerous drugs, and what about the use of the drug while a woman is pregnant, how will that effect a baby in the womb? Let me begin by saying, that at this moment there is no research that indicates that a woman smoking marijuana can hurt an unborn baby, but just like tobacco and alcohol it is not safe for a pregnant woman or woman breast feeding to use the drug. With any substance there will always be risk that can be harmful to an unborn baby or babies who are breast fed. But without any research we will never know what effects it can have, the more reason why they should take marijuana off Schedule I and allow for more researc h to be done. Secondly, there is no conclusive evidence to support that the drug effects of marijuana are linked to the abuse of other illicit drugs. However, the use of smoking and alcohol in underage teens has opened up a gateway to the use of other drugs, marijuana included but rarely to be the first one. In my younger years, I’ve met various types of people, who began drinking, partying and being exposed to different drugs. Not one of them will tell you that they begin by smoking marijuana.Show MoreRelatedShould Marijuana Be Legalized?849 Words   |  4 Pageswhether marijuana should be legalized. Around 23 states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use. In the state of Illinois, medicinal use of marijuana has been passed on April 17, 2013. Since January 2014, patients are able to obtain marijuana with a doctor s recommendation. The new debate is whether marijuana should be legalized for the general public as a recreational drug. Although some believe that marijuana i s harmless, and that it has beneficial medicinal uses, marijuana shouldRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1715 Words   |  7 PagesMarijuana in Society Cannabis, formally known as marijuana is a drug obtained from the tops, stems and leaves of the hemp plant cannabis. The drug is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Only substances like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are used more (â€Å"Marijuana† 1). In the U. S. where some use it to feel â€Å"high† or get an escape from reality. The drug is referred to in many ways; weed, grass, pot, and or reefer are some common names used to describe the drug (â€Å"Marijuana† 1). Like mostRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1489 Words   |  6 Pagescannabis plant or marijuana is intended for use of a psychoactive drug or medicine. It is used for recreational or medical uses. In some religions, marijuana is predominantly used for spiritual purposes. Cannabis is indigenous to central and south Asia. Cannabis has been scientifically proven that you can not die from smoking marijuana. Marijuana should be legalized to help people with medical benefits, econo mic benefits, and criminal benefits. In eight states, marijuana was legalized for recreationalRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1245 Words   |  5 PagesMarijuana is a highly debatable topic that is rapidly gaining attention in society today.   Legalizing marijuana can benefit the economy of this nation through the creation of jobs, increased tax revenue, and a decrease in taxpayer money spent on law enforcement.   Ã‚  Many people would outlaw alcohol, cigarettes, fast food, gambling, and tanning beds because of the harmful effects they have on members of a society, but this is the United States of America; the land of the free and we should give peopleRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1010 Words   |  5 PagesThe legalization of marijuana became a heated political subject in the last few years. Twenty-one states in America have legalized medical marijuana. Colorado and Washington are the only states where marijuana can be purchased recreationally. Marijuana is the high THC level part of the cannabis plant, which gives users the â€Å"high† feeling. There is ample evidence that supports the argument that marijuana is beneficial. The government should legalize marijuana recreationally for three main reasonsRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1350 Words   |  6 Pagespolitics in the past decade would have to be the legalization of marijuana. The sale and production of marijuana have been legalized for medicinal uses in over twenty states and has been legalized for recreational uses in seven states. Despite the ongoing support for marijuana, it has yet to be fully legalized in the federal level due to cultural bias against â€Å"pot† smoking and the focus over its negative effects. However, legalizing marijuana has been proven to decrease the rate of incrimination in AmericaRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1231 Words   |  5 Pagesshows the positive benefits of marijuana, it remains illegal under federal law. In recent years, numerous states have defied federal law and legalized marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use. Arizona has legalized marijuana for medical use, but it still remains illegal to use recreationally. This is absurd, as the evidence gathered over the last few decades strongly supports the notion that it is safer than alcohol, a widely available substance. Marijuana being listed as a Schedule I drugRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized? Essay1457 Words   |  6 PagesSHOULD MARIJUANA BE LEGALIZED? Marijuana is a drug that has sparked much controversy over the past decade as to whether or not it should be legalized. People once thought of marijuana as a bad, mind-altering drug which changes a person’s personality which can lead to crime and violence through selling and buying it. In the past, the majority of citizens believed that marijuana is a harmful drug that should be kept off the market and out of the hands of the public. However, a recent study conductedRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1596 Words   |  7 Pages But what needs to be known before a user can safely and completely make the decision if trying Marijuana is a good idea? Many do not want the drug to be legalized because they claim that Cannabis is a â€Å"gateway drug†, meaning it will cause people to try harder drugs once their body builds up a resistance to Marijuana, because a stronger drug will be needed to reach a high state. This argument is often falsely related to the medical si de of the debate over legalization. It is claimed that this wouldRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?985 Words   |  4 PagesLegalize Marijuana Despite what people believe about marijuana, it hasn’t once proved to be the cause of any real issue. It makes you wonder what the reason as to why there is a war on drugs. Why is marijuana the main concern? Since the time that alcohol and tobacco became legal, people wonder why marijuana isn’t legal yet. The fact that marijuana is illegal is mainly caused by the amount of money, jobs, and pride invested in the drug war. Once the government starts anything, they stick to it. At