VERO BEACH — In a little more than a week, people will raise a glass, kiss a cheek or two and say goodbye to the year that was. And like clockwork at the start of 2012, gyms across the country will fill up with an assortment of new fitness buffs.
New Year’s resolutions and a few extra pounds from the holidays tend to do that.
But by mid-February those new fitness buffs are getting frustrated or bored and their numbers start to dwindle.
Usually, at local gyms and fitness clubs, regulars look askance at the newcomers and fully expect them within weeks to drop out of the program.
This year, resolve to do it differently.
Fitness experts say that setting out to change old habits by joining a gym and resolving to lose weight is laudable, but it doesn’t always pan out unless you really put some energy and thoughts into the New Year’s resolution before uttering it.
One has to be emotionally vested to make resolutions stick, says Latifa Dumas, an International Sports Science Association certified fitness therapist and fitness trainer.
She and others say it is imperative to really think about what your fitness and weight goals are and to not make blanket statements such as “I want to lose weight.”
Instead, set goals that can be measured, such as “I will lose 10 pounds of fat by March” or “I will explore various group exercises such Zumba, (a widely popular calorie-burning Latin dance-based exercise) qigong, (a gentle Chinese exercise that helps strengthen the body through stretches and poses) or spinning, (also a popular exercise that involves a group atmosphere and a stationary bike) and see what I like best.”
The key to success is understanding that in order to achieve a goal of losing weight without a near starvation diet one must make exercise a habit.
To not do so is foolhardy, dangerous and sure it may make you slim in time for a spring fling event, but the pounds are certain to creep back.
“You must commit yourself,” Damas says.
And you must be realistic.
If you like the idea of a group exercise class but must be across town by 6:30 a.m. each day, think long and hard if you are really a morning person and can commit to the early classes.
If not, keep your options open or otherwise you could be setting yourself up to fail if mornings aren’t ideal.
“It is really a whole process,” Damas says.
And part of that process is not demanding a quick fix.
Having a healthy lifestyle takes an honest commitment.
“(Most) people want to see quick results and then be done with the gym or their routine and then they might give it a month or two and give up,” Damas says.
Many people give up because they are bored and frustrated that the weight didn’t come pouring off as they thought it would.
A few days at the gym isn’t going to melt away what took years to build over muscle and that in itself is one of the biggest reasons that people don’t stick with programs.
Sure, changing a lifestyle from a sedentary one to an active one is hard, says Damas, but the rewards are many.
Exercise can reduce blood pressure, lower the stress in your life and make you feel and look better.
Bob Geiman of Grand Harbor started working out six years ago. In March, he will celebrate his 81st birthday.
Geiman’s biceps are rock-solid.
“Anybody can work out,” Damas says. “Yes anybody. There is no excuse so don’t look for an excuse.”
Helping with the attitude adjustment is understanding a few things for novice exercisers:
Gyms can be intimidating because of unfamiliar equipment and an abundance of very physically fit people. But understand this Damas says: every person who has walked into a gym for the first time also felt that way before.
“You might be overweight and embarrassed,” said Dumas, “but don’t let that get in the way.”
If you must, she says, tell yourself this: “They may have looked like me at one point in their life and even had more weight than I do.”
“Don’t feel bad that you are heavy,” she says.
Instead feel good that you are building a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
Part of that commitment is asking for help.
Most large gyms have staff on hand willing to help show novices how to use equipment.
Many gyms can recommend personal trainers like Damas.
Damas, who lives in Sebastian, also will go to a client’s home for sessions or meet clients at gyms. She has many clients at Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club.
She encourages her clients to mix up their routines so not to get bored with a single activity such as say, weightlifting.
A shock on the body every now and then is good too, she and experts say.
“Get educated. Find out what is out there. Find out what is right for you. Chose a club or a place that you can feel good about going to. Hire a professional to take you through the equipment and exercises…someone that will help you design a program.”
But above all, Damas says, “You’ve got to learn how to walk before you can run down that road. You cannot change the whole world in one day. Get out there on that road. Know what is going to be involved (with the New Year’s fitness resolutions); give it a try; make it fun. Enjoy.”
