Before the new year meets the new you, health and fitness experts weigh in on how everyone can start off their fitness commitments for the new year on the right foot.
Consistency
When it comes to making health and fitness a regular priority, Fitness program coordinator for the SLS Centre Stephanie Marrello believes that consistency is key.
“My best advice I’ve ever taken and continue to give is – have a mantra of consistency is key,” Marrello said. “What I mean by that is; maybe you’ve never stepped into a gym, maybe try doing a few things at home before making that journey.”
She outlines that making small steps are part of the bigger journey when it comes to fitness and health. Everything from making sure you’re properly hydrated or even walking more every day all play a big role in small ways.
“The stat is that if you can get 10,000 steps in one day, that is enough to maintain or even lose weight, if you have been inactive,” Marrello explained.
Even if going to the gym doesn’t fall into your interests, Marrello said getting out and finding something that interests you can help develop a positive mental change.
“I don’t think going to the gym is going to align with a lot of people, but instead thing of joining something like a class to put yourself out there and meet people who are like-minded,” she said.
From what she sees at the SLS Centre, she outlines those simple things like meeting new people and being part of a community, all have positive health benefits.
“We have people who just come to walk the track and that’s all they do,” she said. “We have people who com here and they go to the gym, play pickle ball, or they swim. I think there’s something for everyone, it’s just developing the courage to come in.”
Starting fresh
With the new year, it generally comes with the thought process by many to start fresh and recommit to their goals. According to the General Manager of GoodLife Fitness Cochrane, Candice Strawson, she explains that this generally falls in line towards January 1.
“The start of a new year symbolizes a fresh beginning and an opportunity to make positive, impactful changes,” she said. “The new year encourages self-improvement, making it a time when people feel motivated to make changes in their lives.
“Often the desire to be healthier, look better, feel more energetic, and combat stress are some of the goals we see our members talking about in the new year.”
Through planning realistic, small, and attainable milestones, this prevents newcomers from experiencing burnout or injuries.
“Set specific new years resolutions like ‘I want to exercise for 30 minutes, four times a week versus a vague goal of ‘I want to get fit,’” she said. “Another tip would be to mix up your fitness activities Include a combination of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises to engage different muscle groups and keep the routine exciting.”
Since everyone has their own reasons for pursuing a healthier lifestyle, Strawson believes that there shouldn’t be the need to fell any pressure when embarking any type of exercise journey.
“At GoodLife we pride ourselves on having something for everyone,” she said. “[…] The most important is to be kind to yourself. Fitness is a journey, not a destination.
“If you miss a workout or have a bad week, don’t get discouraged. The key is to come back and make fitness a part of your lifestyle.”
Building positive habits
Brianna Norman and Jordyn Sydoryk from The Study Movement and Wellness Studio believe that finding the building blocks to develop the long-term lifestyle habits play a large role to keep people moving and healthy for the long run.
“We are all so busy with life these days, that adding something else to our plates often feels impossible,” Norman and Sydoryk said. “The reality is, if it is important to you, you will make time.”
They suggest that simple things like signing up for classes or scheduling your week work best when it comes to committing physical activity on a regular basis.
“This helps with committing yourself and your time to move and work your body and mind,” they said.
More than anything else, they suggest it’s better to pick something that you are interested in, rather than something you aren’t interested in.
“Do what you love and you will want to continue,” they said. “If you commit to running, but don’t really enjoy running, there is a high likelihood that you will eventually lose interest. If you choose a type of movement that excites you, you will ultimately look forwards to your workouts!
“This makes all the difference in the long term.”
