Exercise is a vital activity that all adolescents should participate in. The action of physical exertion is not only beneficial for the physical health of adolescents, it is also crucial for their mental well-being, especially during stressful periods of their lives. I reflect on my personal experiences during the last few weeks of the fitness program and how the sessions have been fundamental in maintaining a good physical state and a clear state of mind. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay While planning the fitness program, it became very clear that many threats would arise in my attempt to improve my fitness. A major threat was that overwhelming school work, portfolio tasks, and eventually preliminary studies took up most of my time during the day. However, this has created the opportunity to adopt key time management skills, which are essential to a successful matric year. Large portions of schoolwork lead to another threat, where I found that the stress created by projects and studying caused me to turn to unhealthy snacks to combat the pressure. This is where I saw an opportunity in the fitness program: adopting healthy eating habits that have been proven to spark a more positive mood and significantly reduce stress levels. Another threat I predicted was that I would push myself too hard at the start of the program or even lose interest in the program altogether. The opportunity I had was to set realistic but ambitious goals within my limits, thus teaching myself how rigor is necessary, while understanding that commitment to my goals is a quality which will be useful for the future. Before starting the fitness program, I felt like I needed to set goals for the duration of the program. I set my goals according to the SMART principle, which allowed my goals to be clear and concise while still being achievable based on my physical capabilities. My first goal was to train regularly while increasing the intensity and duration of each session as the program progressed. This would allow me to settle into the program at first while still reaching a maximum exercise climax. My second goal was to statistically improve my fitness in terms of resting heart rate, exercise heart rate, and recovery time, regardless of the magnitude of the improvement. These numbers would be clear indicators of any progress in my fitness, and so I decided to record them thoroughly and carefully. My third goal was to maintain a healthy diet and keep track of my eating habits that might become unhealthy during stressful times of the year. In particular, I aimed to reduce all sugar intake and keep my diet balanced with different proteins, carbohydrates and fresh fruits. My end goal was to enjoy the program and complete sessions that were worthwhile, because ultimately this is what keeps people interested in maintaining a healthy physical state. My fitness level before starting the fitness program was satisfactory, with an average resting heart rate of 66.67. beats per minute and my body mass index (BMI) is 17.59, which is right in the ideal range of 17.5-24.9 for a boy17 years old. These fitness levels are relatively good; However, I knew I could improve these numbers after completing the fitness program. Before starting the program, my resting heart rate varied between 66 and 70 beats per minute, while at the end of the program, my resting heart varied between 63 and 67 beats per minute, even reaching a low of 59 beats per minute. minute. Although not a substantial improvement, this data suggests that exercise has slowly had a positive impact on my health, and it is possible that with additional training in the coming weeks I can further reduce my resting heart rate.more. Another discovery was that early in the program, I tired very easily within 25-40 minutes and was very reluctant to complete long sessions. However, as the program came to an end, I was able to easily complete longer sessions lasting up to 50-60 minutes and my recovery time also decreased in proportion to the intensity of the exercise. This shows that I got into exercise mode much more quickly towards the end of the program and that the ability to complete longer sessions is a clear indicator of my fitness level progressing. It is expected that the registration year will inevitably be a source of stress for everyone. students, however, exercise has been suggested as an effective activity to combat stress. During the program, I was very busy with portfolio tasks, projects and preliminary studies, but I really felt that the exercise I did during my schoolwork was a crucial break that helped me to reduce my stress level. I carried out my sessions between my studies, which I found beneficial as the stress built up during the first round of work was released during the exercise period, allowing me to continue my work with a positive mindset. clear and a fresh state of mind. I felt that the most effective activity to relieve stress was Karate training, because this activity involved the highest intensity and this physical effort was essential to reduce stress levels compared to other lesser sessions. intense. The exercise performed in the fitness program was beneficial to my social well-being because I was able to meet friends and play sports instead of staying at home and choosing other antisocial activities that are somehow become the norm for modern-day teenagers. It was fantastic to have fun and experience the joy of exercise during a period of frustration and stress leading up to exams. I also believed that exercise had a positive impact on my emotional well-being, as I did not feel tied down or burdened by my schoolwork or studies. I was able to get on the treadmill or play outside in the fresh air and leave work behind me. The exercise acted as a release where I could relax and not worry about the stress of my job. Instead, I could feel free to enjoy exercise and return to my studies with a clear mindset. Sport has the ability to teach an athlete how to stay committed to their goals, remain determined and take responsibility for their actions while being able to unite people from different groups, to embrace multiple cultures and introduce new paths to people. people. This is the beauty of sport, because it can be characterized by its social aspect but also by its importance for the development of the individual. I have participated in both solo sports and social sports and can confirm that the two varieties can offer different benefits. I have been practicing Karate for several years now and..