Palo Alto Family YMCA Brings In 2011 With Tips for New Year’s Fitness Resolutions

Jan. 4, 2011 - PRLog -- PALO ALTO, CA – January 4, 2010 – As many people decide to make it their New Year’s resolution to maintain a fitness routine, lose weight, and live a healthier lifestyle, Palo Alto Family YMCA announced today some tips from Diana Turner, the Y’s Group Wellness Director, to help local community members create a new workout regimen that can be easily maintained year-round.

“The month of January traditionally marks that time when people who put off their fitness goals all year resolve to make a go of it with the incoming new year,” said Turner. “That clean slate brings with it new motivation and determination to define a fitness regimen or goal, and improve their overall health and wellness. However, the community should think about the bigger picture – health and wellness is a long-term commitment to a lifestyle change. Those who stick with it will see visible results with lasting effects. We hope that local residents will really see the benefits of sticking to a fitness program for the foreseeable future.”

Turner offers the following tips for everyone who wants to start the new year off right, regardless of one’s current fitness routine:

•   Start off slowly.  Those who have not been exercising for a while or are new to exercise should start off slowly, gradually increasing the number of days they exercise.  One of the biggest mistakes people make is to do too much right at the beginning.  Since the muscles are not used to the extra effort, they become very sore.  Many people find the sore muscles too uncomfortable to work through and they end up quitting their exercise routine instead of enduring the pain.  What they don’t realize is that if they start off more slowly, at a lower intensity, and for a shorter amount of time, they can experience exercise without feeling the pain.  By taking small steps, gradually increasing effort and time, one will be more likely to stick with the new exercise program.

•   Set realistic goals.  Many people are inspired to try to lose weight based upon TV shows like “The Biggest Loser.” When they don’t see results like the contestants on the TV show are achieving, they become frustrated and discouraged and believe that they’ve failed.  But, those TV show results are really impractical for the general population.  The contestants on “The Biggest Loser” are at a ranch, away from their regular lives, and handled completely by professionals.  In the real world, you need to work around your family, your job, and everything else that is part of your life.  For safe and effective weight loss, up to 2 lbs. per week is a realistic goal.  That is a negative 7,000 calories.  So, if you want to lose 50 lbs., you would need a minimum of 6 months.  Most people do not lose 2 lbs. each week, so a longer period would most likely be necessary.  

•   Get help from a professional.  Now that you know your goal, find a professional to help you get started.  You may need a nutritionist, a fitness professional, your doctor, or a professional life coach.  For exercise, even if you eventually intend to exercise on your own, getting help from a fitness professional in the beginning will help you learn techniques to create a successful fitness program for yourself that includes cardiovascular exercise, strength development, balance, and flexibility.

•   Develop a support system.  Get friends and family involved in your new year's resolutions.  For an exercise program, either include them in the activity or ask them to help you stay on track with positive reinforcement.  Having a support system is one of the most important aspects of creating a successful exercise program.  People who exercise with someone else are much more likely to stick with it than those who go it alone.

•   Remember that exercise is only part of overall health.  Nutrition, mental health, and emotional health all have an impact on one’s overall well-being.  You can live a more fulfilled life by being surrounded with people who will support you, finding new and exciting activities to stimulate your brain, eating a healthful diet, and sticking to your exercise program.

•   Health is the journey, not a destination.  One will never get to "Health."  Exercise and nutrition benefits last only as long as the person continues to follow through with the program.  Stop thinking of the next big event in life as the fitness destination - every day is the next big event!

For more information about the Y and the many programs it offers, contact Diana Turner, Group Wellness Director at dturner@ymcasv.org or (650)842-7157.


Media Contact:
Tina Casalino
PR Consultant
Palo Alto Family YMCA
408-266-1934
tinacasalino_paymca@yahoo.com

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About The Y
The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community. With a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive.