IDEA
Press Release - Seven
Fitness Tips for 2004
 Back to 2004 Press Releases
San
Diego – Exercise is good for you and its benefits range from
preventing illness to reducing weight to making you feel better about
yourself. Most people understand this and it seems that almost everyone
has some sort of New Year’s resolution related to fitness. Jay Blahnik,
IDEA Health & Fitness Association’s Inspire the World to Fitness™
spokesperson, offers these suggestions for starting and sticking with
an effective health and fitness plan.
1.
Start Small! One of the reasons it is difficult to stick to
New Year’s Resolutions is because we generally bite off more than we
can chew! When you are trying to exercise every day, and cut out sweets,
and eat more vegetables, and drink more water…it can become daunting!
Try picking only ONE goal to work on for the month of January, and allow
yourself to concentrate on just that one goal. Then, choose a different
goal in February. This is more realistic, and makes it easier to be
successful. Remember, you have 12 months to work towards your goals…you
don’t have to achieve everything in 12 days!
2.
Get a Coach! A qualified personal fitness trainer will not
only get you on a realistic fitness program, they can also ensure you
don’t get hurt and you reach your goals. Remember, if money is tight,
you don’t have to see a personal trainer every day or even every week.
You can hire a personal trainer to simply check in with you every couple
of weeks. This makes it more affordable, but also ensures that your
workout routine stays interesting and gets results. To find a qualified
and experienced trainer near you, go to the Personal Trainer Locator
found on www.IDEAfit.com.
3.
Bend, Reach, Play, Push, Pull, Squat! One of the best ways
to help control your weight is to simply make sure you include more
activity during your day. Try getting in and out of your chair (chair
squats) 10 times every time the phone rings, or take all your phone
calls while pacing your office (instead of sitting down), or set your
watch alarm to remind you to do a set of toe touches every 30 minutes.
Taking the stairs (instead of the elevators) or wrestling with your
kids (or dog!) burns more calories than you might imagine. It all adds
up! The people who have the easiest time managing their weight are often
NOT the most avid exercisers, but simply the most active during the
day.
4.
Sleep! Most people simply don’t get enough sleep each night,
and it makes it much more difficult to keep active during the day. A
good night’s sleep can do wonders to help keep you energized and on
your toes. It will also help give you the energy you need at night to
take that 10 minute walk after dinner that always seems so difficult
to do when you are tired and sleepy.
5.
Find a Partner and Take a Class! Research has shown that people
who have a friend or partner to work out with are often more likely
to stick to their fitness programs. So, find a partner who you enjoy
spending time with, and sign up for a dance class, yoga class or weight
training class. Not only will you enjoy having the company, you will
get into a routine with other people with similar goals. Classes can
make exercise a whole lot of fun, and help make a workout seem shorter
than it really is! Remember, classes don’t necessarily have to be gym
workouts. Some of the best classes to take can be found at your local
recreation or community center or church.
6.
Don’t Buy Into the Magic Pill! The first three months of the
year will be full of images and promises of fast weight loss pills, programs
and workouts. Don’t buy it! Life-long weight control and successful exercise
is not about producing instant results, but rather incorporating healthy
habits over time. Be patient with yourself, and remember there is no quick
fix to health and fitness. It is a lifestyle that must be realistic for
YOU if you want to be able to stick to it forever.
7.
Drink Water! Water will help keep you feeling energized, help
control your appetite and do wonders for your skin and body before, during
and after you workout. Try filling up a big bottle of water in the morning,
and carry it with you throughout the day. Do your best to finish the entire
bottle before you go to bed, and keep track of how much water you are
drinking each day. The more water you drink, the more you will WANT to
drink.
Jay Blahnik is one
of the world’s most recognized fitness instructors and serves as a spokesperson
for IDEA’s Inspire the World to Fitness™ initiative. He is also the Spokesperson
and Educational Consultant for the Nautilus Health & Fitness Group®
and he is a NIKE Athlete. Based in Laguna Beach, California, Jay will
be a member of the faculty at the IDEA World Fitness Convention® taking
place in San Diego, July 7-11, 2004. Historically, this event attracts
more than 4,000 fitness professionals from over 65 countries.
IDEA is
the world's leading membership organization of health and fitness professionals
with more than 19,000 members in over 80 countries. Since 1982, IDEA
has provided health and fitness professionals with pertinent information,
educational opportunities, career development programs and industry
leadership while helping them enhance the quality of life worldwide
through safe, effective fitness and healthy lifestyle programs. For
more information on IDEA events, publications, educational products,
member services or other activities, visit the IDEA website at: www.IDEAfit.com.
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