29 woman this month | January 2012 | We have all set our goals for the year and topping that list is a reduction of those dreadful numbers on the scale. Hisem Hagras, corporate wellness manager at Fitness First, gives us tips for how to stay loyal to the plan. How can we stick to our New Year’s fitness resolution? While you can’t wave a magic wand and make your resolution come true. There are some easy steps to take that will make it easier to fulfil your promise to yourself. • Choose an attainable goal. Resolving to look like a model is not realistic for most of us, but promising to include daily physical activity in our lives is. • Avoid choosing a resolution that you’ve been unsuccessful at achieving year after year. This will only set you up for failure, frustration and disappointment. • Create a game plan. At the beginning of January, write a comprehensive plan. Break it down and make it less intimidating. Rather than one big end goal, dissect it into smaller pieces. Set several smaller goals to achieve throughout the year. This will help you to reach the ultimate goal. • Make contingency plans. Don’t assume sticking to your plan will be smooth sailing. Plan on hitting bumps along the resolution road and be prepared with specific ways to overcome them. • Give it time. Most experts agree that it takes about 21 days to create a habit and six months for it to actually become a part of your daily life. • Reward yourself with each milestone. If you’ve stuck with your resolution for two months, treat yourself to something special. But, be careful of your reward type. If you’ve lost five pounds, don’t give yourself a piece of cake as a reward. Instead, treat yourself to something nonfood related, like a professional massage. What are the main factors that derail fitness resolutions? Think SMART — specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. For example, losing 30 pounds in a month is a specific, measurable and timely goal, but not attainable or realistic. Determine goals that meet the SMART requirements, but also identify barriers that may interfere with reaching those goals and draft a menu of strategies to deal with them. Therefore, if you plan to go to a yoga class every Monday and Wednesday, but another commitment suddenly comes up on a Monday, you can use your backup strategy of going to a Thursday class or subbing in a different workout. It helps to be prepared. The only exercise that you will stick to is the one you enjoy. Make a list of your favourite activities and then incorporate them into your everyday life. Do you have plans to introduce any sort of new group exercise classes to Fitness First in the near future? In fact, we have recently launched a brand new class called Tuff. The revolutionary freestyle routine dramatically changes the shape of one’s body through a three dimensional plane utilising 50 per cent bodyweight and 50 per cent barbell or weight exercises. This optimum combination decreases body fat and increases lean muscle tissue, to give the body a chiselled look. The functional training increases overall fitness levels and guarantees personal achievement and satisfaction. Call 17 564-005. It’s Time for Change FITNESS FIRST
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