How often have you not over-indulged during the long summer holidays and the festive season with the promise that you are going to get back in shape as from 1 January?
You may even have spent a good part of January alcohol, sugar and carb-fee. If this sounds familiar and you are keen to break the spiral of long-discarded and unfulfilled New Year’s resolutions, this one is for you.
Stand by as former international soccer player and fitness boffin Nick Gindre shares a number of practical and easy-to-follow tips for getting the best long-term fitness results, thereby sustaining your motivation well into 2016 and beyond.
“Many people will kick off the New Year with strong motivation to get fit and healthy, but as the weeks go by it is easy to get disheartened,” says Nick. He is preparing for the Ironman African Championship, to be held in Nelson Mandela Bay in April 2016, in which Resolution Health Medical Scheme (Resolution Health) will be one of his key sponsors.
As a professional athlete and fitness expert who runs his own gyms, Nick says that sport has always played an important role in his life. “When you are exercising, eating and living healthily it makes you feel great. I think everyone should give fitness a chance as this will help them to become the best they can possibly be. Apart from the obvious health benefits, physical wellbeing will spill over into every aspect of your life.”
Resolution Health’s principal officer, Mark Arnold, said that a few months ago he threw down the gauntlet to his colleagues to commence a serious exercise programme. “The team has seen positive results, not only in terms of physical health and wellbeing but also in their personal and professional lives. Instead of just encouraging medical scheme members to exercise, the team at Resolution Health is now walking the talk in one of Nick’s gyms by practicing sustained personal health and wellbeing.”
“The Resolution Health team has been inspired by Nick’s attitude to fitness and health. His determination and boundless energy aligns well with the philosophy of proactive health that Resolution Health has long advocated to their membership base.”
“When you are exercising, eating and living healthily it makes you feel great.”
The Argentinian-born former AmaZulu goalkeeper says that the New Year is the perfect opportunity for people, particularly those who have been couch potatoes for an extended period, to turn over a new leaf and get a new lease on life.
“Once you get into a dedicated fitness routine, there is no better feeling in the world. Working out is a great stress reliever and is wonderfully invigorating,” adds Nick.
Getting started on your New Year’s Resolution
“First and foremost, it is important to set realistic goals. Your ultimate goal might be to look like a model, however, if you don’t set yourself smaller, more realistic goals, then you will get discouraged.”
“It is also important to eat right in conjunction with exercise, otherwise you will undo all your good work. I recommend consulting a nutritionist or dietician to make sure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs,” he explains.
For those who are not used to strenuous exercise, Nick says it is imperative to seek your doctor’s advice before commencing a vigorous new fitness regime. “It is also advisable to consult an expert trainer, who will guide you to ensure you do not injure yourself.”
Staying on track
“When you are psyched up and ready to start a new fitness routine, working out is initially a novelty. The important thing is to maintain your enthusiasm and to make fitness a lifestyle choice.”
Nick recommends training with a partner so that you can help keep each other motivated. “If you are exercising with a buddy then you both have made a commitment not to let each other down. If you wake up in the morning and feel like skipping your run or gym session, then it helps knowing that another person is relying on you to be there.”
“If exercise is social, it makes it a lot more fun. It can also provide a great opportunity for couples to spend quality time together while motivating one another.”
“When you are exercising, eating and living healthily it makes you feel great. I“You will never be able to sustain your goals if you do not have the right attitude for long-term fitness. Your mental approach has a very real bearing on your physical follow-through, and this is why it is so important to embrace fitness as a way of life.”
That being said, Nick says that every so often you should take time to rest or give yourself a treat. “Find a happy balance, but one in which your ultimate goal is never forgotten.”
