It has to be one of the most cited New Year’s resolutions: “I will be healthier.”
Just what that means varies greatly from person to person – some may want to lose weight, tone or boost cardio, others want to learn to relax or run a 5K. But despite the diversity of wellness goals, the road to reaching them is remarkably similar.
1. Find an activity you enjoy: To stick with something new, it should be enjoyable and convenient. But how do you know if you’ll like it? Find the right class to get you started or discover a new favourite to add to your routine during Esquimalt Parks & Recreation’s Fitness Demo week, Jan. 7 to 13.
Try out a variety of the centre’s scheduled classes, then when you find one you like, simply sign up for the rest of the session. “We want to give people the opportunity to come out and try something new,” says Esquimalt Fitness & Wellness Programmer Vicki Klyne.
But with Groove to Buddhist Meditation, TRX Conditioning to Pilates Back to Basics, the difficulty might be in choosing!
Haven’t taken a class for awhile? No problem, Klyne says, pointing to classes like “Zoomers,” combining gym and pool time for older adults. “It has a terrific instructor and a really good social component as well, so it’s a really positive experience.”
2. Challenge yourself: Accountability is a significant motivator when it comes to staying on track. Esquimalt’s 60-Day Challenge includes small group training sessions with a personal trainer – a great opportunity for a few friends to train together and inspire each other, Klyne suggests – plus numerous other opportunities to support that training. See your progress with fitness testing and weigh-in at the start and end of the program, try multiple one-off fitness classes, get gym entry on training days, a five-time pass to get you started, additional discounts and the chance to win great prizes! Along the way you’ll receive newsletters filled with tips and hints to keep you on track. “We’re here to support people’s health and wellness goals, and we want to help them reach those goals,” Klyne says.
3. Set goals: While it’s good to have an end goal – reaching your healthy weight, for example, or finishing your first 10K – setting and achieving smaller goals will help keep you motivated along the way. If a 10K is on your bucket list, for example, the Esquimalt 10K Clinic will show walkers and runners continual, gradual progress. From Jan. 20 to April 21 you’ll gradually build your fitness as you get run-ready. See how far you’ve come at the Esquimalt 5K and 1K kids run on Saturday, April 7.
Ready to learn more? Visit esquimalt.ca/parks-recreation and the on-line program guide.
