First Posted: 2/19/2015
LIMA — Alexa Miller, assistant manager and director of marketing at Lima’s Anytime Fitness, says they see it all the time.
An onslaught of folks come and sign-up for the gym in January with the intention to make this year’s get fit New Year’s resolution stick. By February, most are already gone.
“They just fall off the wagon,” she said.
There’s a variety of reasons why this happens — some just don’t have the knowledge or motivation to keep up, others get discouraged if they don’t see quick results fast enough.
That’s why local fitness centers, including Anytime Fitness and Fitness Solution 24/7, made a conscious effort this year to provide programs and tips to help people stay on the wagon this year.
1. Trust the experts
If a car broke down, you wouldn’t try to fix it yourself. You’d take it to a mechanic.
“It’s the same thing with exercise,” Miller said.
Personal trainers have the knowledge and experience in determining fitness plans. As a result, they’re able to offer a wider variety of workouts based on individual needs and goals. They’re also able to provide more accurate advice regarding nutrition and tips to develop a more healthy lifestyle that lasts for a lifetime. This only helps people see results faster, but it keeps them accountable.
In fact, with their New Year’s special, new and existing members were offered two free sessions after an assessment. The trainers said people who had been members for years wished they would’ve made the investment earlier.
2. You get what you pay for
The right gym isn’t always the best price. So, make sure to visit local clubs and determine what works best for you and your goals.
Miller said it’s important not just to look for the best deal but also to talk to members and staff. If you don’t like the gym or its trainers, you’re not going to go.
“It gives people a better idea of what gyms have to offer,” she said. “You’re able to see how the price compares to the quality and culture of the club.”
Services or programs shouldn’t come cheap, either.
“It takes a lot of time and training for a personal trainer to put together a safe, successful and individualized fitness plan. It shouldn’t be something that comes free with membership.”
3. Going all out
Don’t. Rather than set a realistic long-term goals with baby steps, most people fall victim to the latest trending diet or exercise.
“Good luck, because that’s not going to last,” Miller said.
The trick is to take it step by step or a day at a time, slowly cutting down on bad habits and adapting to a long lasting healthy lifestyle.
“It’s a shock to people who try to go balls to the wall and end up falling off the wagon because its just not realistic,” she said.
4. Stay motivated
It’s important not to get discouraged. Getting fit is a long and sometimes difficult process.
To avoid the fitness blues, Miller said an easy trick is to set simple short term goals and make sure someone’s there to keep you accountable.
Just meeting with a friend or trainer once a week prevents excuses and encourages you to stay on track.
Some examples could include drinking a gallon of water a day for a week. If you’re a pop drinker, limit how many you drink a day for one week and slowly pull back each week until its completely cut out of your diet. If you like to cook, try a new healthy recipe a week or even just a new veggie or fruit.
Marcia Bigler, manager at 24/7 Fitness Solutions, suggests leaving reminders around the house. For example, keep an old outfit with your old size at the front of the closet. Don’t have any old clothes? Go out and buy a dream ensemble in your goal size and do the same thing.
5. Make it fun
Going to work out shouldn’t be stressful or boring.
Keep a consistent routine that works for you but make it more sustainable and exciting by adding in some new exercises, challenges and goals every so often.
Accomplish one goal? Set another. Bored of the same weights or machines? Ask a trainer or attendant for some new suggestions. Run the same route every day? Turn the other direction when you walk out the door. Bring a friend, go to a new park, make a new playlist.
Rather than comparing yourself to others or numbers on a scale, focus on your own health, what got you to the gym on the first place and enable yourself and your body feel good.
6. Have a powerful why
Bigler said its incredibly common for people without a real powerful reason to get and stay healthy to get off track. Without the ability to make your fitness goal a priority, life gets in the way.
Even if they do lose the weight for something like a wedding or a reunion, she said she would guarantee they’ll gain it right back.
The manager has even personally dealt with this battle, struggling to keep those last few pounds off until she had three family members die, one because of a heart attack.
“I’ve had no trouble keeping that weight off now and staying healthy,” she said. “I have that powerful why now. It’s about my health, about wanting to be with family and out of the nursing home.”
7. Portion control
Portion sizes are so big these days, Bigler said.
Even she and the CEO of Fitness Solution split meals when out on the town. Other times, she might order half a meal or ask for the last half to be boxed so she can take it home for later.
The trick is to move more than you eat, she said, and burn off that energy. Eating more food, however, makes that harder to do.
“We avoid that ‘e’ word,” Bigler said, referring to exercise. “It’s just about moving.”
