Keep Fit in 2008!
Forget the fad crash diets for 2008 – getting healthy and in shape doesn’t have to mean a dramatic overhaul of your life, spending hour upon hour on the treadmill.
Making small and easy changes is much better for you than totally cutting things out – after all, you want to stand out in 2008, not wither away into the background.
Here are eight top tips to kick start your fitness regime in 2008:
- Be realistic - set yourself a realistic goal - those who set their sights too high will inevitably become disappointed as they are not shedding the pounds as quickly as they had hoped - give yourself small signs of success more often and you are more likely to keep going.
- Try something new- although we all tend to repeat the things we like doing, try adding a little variety to your gym pattern as this will help you achieve better results. How about trying something you’ve never done before? Spin, Body Pump, Yoga and Pilates are just some of the classes on offer at Village Hotels’ health & fitness clubs.
- Have a plan - to refrain from feeling that your trips to the gym seem a bit pointless, keep your long-term goal in mind, and chart your progress. Personal Trainers are always on hand to help you reach that ultimate goal.
- Keep it comfortable - Exercise is important, but you don't have to train like you're going for the Olympics. Regular exercise provides more visible results than strenuous exercise - if it hurts, you're probably overdoing it. Ask one of the team how you can judge your right level with a Wellness Consultation.
- Gym lethargy - you may be someone who can’t do anything by halves, but working out every day may not be sustainable for you. Instead, give yourself balance and try all the benefits of the club.
- Fade out the fat - it’s important to spare a thought for what you eat! We all know what’s good and bad for us, with the obvious being fried foods, fatty meats and dairy products. Most of these are eaten in the form of snacks. Why not consider fruit when snacking? Sounds simple, but most of the time, the compulsion to snack comes from the need for sugar, which is readily available in all fruits as well as the balanced vitamins and nutrients we do not get from other snacks.
- The all-or-nothing approach - Not having a full hour to exercise is no reason to skip your workout. Something is better than nothing. Don’t give yourself the easy way out! A workout, any workout, ticked off in “the book” will up-lift your spirits and make the next one easier. Saying “I haven’t got time”, will lead to more self-justification and guess what, more blow-outs as “in for a penny…”
- Make a move - When you’re not at the gym, find ways to move your body. Climb stairs; walk your dog; chase your kids; mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is a healthy addition to your life.