Q&A for How to Know if You Are Physically Fit

I like to say that there's three realms that you should look to test your own fitness: one would be strength, the other would be cardiovascular, and another would be flexibility. That's really what I would look for.

There are some very simple tests, like checking if you can touch your toes. What you should look for, though, is if you have the flexibility to make sure that you can function well in your lyfestyle, without it interfering with your day-to-day activities.

To test strenght, people usually use exercises like deadlifts, squats and bench presses. No matter where you are in the world, people will understand those three, which is great. Fitness really is a universal worldwide language.

You can eat the food you like, just increase your activity level and stick with 3 meals, skipping snacks and desserts (except maybe on special occasions). Cardio exercise is your best option (running, walking, biking, etc.).

Create a caloric deficit based on the calories that you eat and drink vs. the calories that your body naturally burns without exercising. This involves a very restricted diet. It's better, though, to exercise regularly. Then you can burn calories more effectively and improve your strength, endurance, balance, flexibility and overall mobility.

Do body-weight exercises. One common calisthenic exercise is the push up. It strengthens the chest muscles, the muscles in your midsection, the front of your shoulders, and your triceps (on the back of your arms). Research others online. Planks, squats and split-squats don't require equipment.