Fit for Life: How Perfect Can You Be?

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Matt Espeut, GoLocalWorcester Health +Lifestyle Contributor

I was looking for something healthy to eat at the airport last week, and when I asked someone if there were any other options, the reply was "Maybe in a perfect world, but not here". Then I started thinking what would a perfect world look like? We all have our interpretations of perfection, so I came up with a few scenarios that if everyone implemented, it may not create a perfect world, but maybe a better one. Here they are:

In a perfect world...

1. Everyone would be rational, and there would be no conflicts. Instead of fighting, there would be resolutions.

2. Everyone would eat healthy organic whole foods, therefore our disease rate and dependence on medication would be reduced by around 90%.

3. Everyone would work out and be fit, thus reducing muscular, arthritic, and postural problems for the majority of the population.

4. Everyone would have the ambition and drive to be better in all areas of their lives. At work, this would reduce company waste and improve productivity on all levels. In the world, this would reduce unemployment, and entitlements and people would be more driven to perform their jobs at a higher level, and not just show up and clock hours. At home, this would improve relationships and make for a happier household. People would take responsibility for their own actions and stop blaming others, and crying victim for their lack of success.

5. Everyone would know the rules and how to drive, and stop holding the people up that have something to do or somewhere to go.

6. It would only rain on Monday and Tuesday, and every other day would be sunny and 75.

7. Everyone would be honest, therefore eliminating the need for lawyers, police, security cameras, prisons, court rooms and every other authority figures.

8. Technology would work 100% of the time, and never crash.

9. Big food companies would not exist, therefore making #2 a more realistic possibility.

10. Everyone would care. Not only about themselves, but others. When you care about what's in the mirror, you elevate to a higher level in all areas of your life. You carry yourself with more pride, therefore you treat others differently, and when you do this, others treat you with more respect and gratitude. People would be more willing to help someone out rather than beat them down with negativity. It only takes one little degree of effort to go from good to great, ordinary to extraordinary, and everyone has the ability to excel and perform at a higher level. If you care you will attempt to do so. If not, then you will most like remain where you are, and stay idle for life.

Although we will never live in a perfect world, we all do have the ability to make it better.

Legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi said, "We strive for perfection, but will never reach it because nobody's perfect. But along the way we will achieve greatness". So, what will you do today to contribute, and help yourself and this world get a step closer to perfection?

Matt Espeut, GoLocal's Health & Lifestyle Contributor has been a personal trainer and health & fitnesss consultant for over 25 years. He is the owner of Fitness Profiles, a one on one, and small group personal training company, as well as Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, located at 1284 North Main St., on the Providence/Pawtucket line. You can reach Matt at (401) 453-3200; on Facebook at "Matt Espeut", and on Twitter at @MattEspeut. "We’re all in this life together – let’s make it a healthy one!

Related Slideshow: The 7 Best Health and Fitness Apps

Here is a list of some of the most obsession worthy health apps.

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MapMyRun

MapMyRun is the number one selling running app for a reason: it is easy to use, offers community support if you want it, and tracks and stores your exact routes for you. If you are training for a race or a serious runner, users say that the extra perks in the upgraded paid version are well worth it.

Made for iPhone, Android and Blackberry

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MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal seems to be the clear favorite amongst everyone polled. It is helpful not only for the fitness tracking aspect, but everyone polled mentioned how much they loved the food/diet aspect as well. From carb counting for diabetics to recipe ideas to complement your fitness goals, users love this app.

Made for iPhone and Android

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JeFit

JeFit is another fitness app that has rave reviews. It not only tracks progress for you, but offers a huge database of workouts. While many apps offer community support, JeFit allows you to sync workouts with friends who use the app, offering a (real) virtual buddy system.

Made for iPhone and Android

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Strava

Strava gets the highest mark of all the cycling apps. While it is also great for runners, the cyclers seem particularly inclined towards the fierce competition that can be ignited by this app. You can track all of your rides via GPS, then you can compare your efforts to those logged by others in the community on the same stretch of road. You can also join ongoing challenges that can net you great prizes (in addition to bragging rights).

Made for iPhone and Android

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YogaStudio

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Made for iPhone only

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SimplyBeing

SimplyBeing meditation app offers the best of both worlds. You can choose to run this app as a background for your meditation with soothing music or natural sounds that run for a set amount of time. Conversely, for those of you who have trouble focusing during meditation, you can choose a soothing voice-guided meditation.

Made for iPhone and Android

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Fooducate

Fooducate is an app all about educating people so that they make healthier food choices. Although not perfect, this app is easy to use (you can even take pictures of bar codes to instantly find foods in their database). It gives food a letter grade, tells you the pluses and minuses, and gives you better ranked alternatives. You can also use it as a weight loss tool by tracking your daily calories.

Made for iPhone and Android