News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
A blizzard of enthusiastic Sisters residents hits local gyms each January - only to see New Year's fitness resolutions melt away by March.
It's a cycle that repeats as regularly as the turning of the seasons. But it doesn't have to be that way, according to Ross Kennedy of Sisters Athletic Club (SAC) and Sue Parker of Cascade Fitness.
The two local trainers and fitness experts agree that there are a few common pitfalls to avoid - and a few simple steps to take - that can help folks in Sisters keep to their fitness goals winter, spring, summer and fall.
"I think the first thing you have to ask yourself is 'Why am I here?'" Parker said. "If you're here for any reason other than yourself, it's not going to work. You've got to be here because you want quality of life, and it becomes part of who you are."
Both Parker and Kennedy emphasize that it's important to set realistic goals.
"They're unrealistic," Parker said of the ones who fade away. "They think they can do it in 30 days, and then they find out (extra weight) is not going to come off that quick and they get discouraged."
Kennedy says that thinking you can go from couch potato to athlete in a month is a recipe for disappointment, burnout, injury or all three.
"If you're a first-time person and you expect to be Lance Armstrong tomorrow, it's not going to work," he said.
Kennedy strongly recommends working with a trainer to get - and stay - on the right track.
"Meeting with a trainer is important, I think, for establishing a routine that is successful and customized to the individual," he said. "The trainer offers motivation. They offer proper guidance."
Parker notes that using a trainer helps keep a person focused in the gym and prevents boredom from setting in.
A balanced program is essential. Most people want to lose weight and "tone up." To do that, cardiovascular exercise in the right target zone is a key. Both Kennedy and Parker have long recommended the use of a heart monitor to help make sure a workout is effective.
Many people look askance at weight training, fearing that they will "bulk up." Kennedy says that weights are critical to reducing body fat.
"You want to develop muscle mass," he said. "The more muscle you can have, the better your metabolism will be."
Muscle mass doesn't mean bulking up. It's very hard work for most people to gain size. For most, more muscle mass means simply a better body composition.
Kennedy recommends starting with benchmarks - for example, how long it takes for you to walk a mile - so you can measure progress.
"I think it's critical to establish a starting point," he said.
SAC offers body age testing to provide a baseline - and motivation. People like to see themselves rolling back the biological clock.
"I think the best thing that keeps people going is to see success," Kennedy said.
Parker notes that many of the most successful people at her gym have created a lifestyle and a social network around exercise.
"They're like a family in here," she said. "I think it's older ones that probably settle in best."
For many seniors, exercise is so obviously critical to their quality of life that it quickly becomes an ingrained part of their lifestyle.
Cascade Fitness offers buddy membership programs to encourage people to bring a friend. Often, a workout partner can create a sense of accountability, and partners can motivate each other to keep going in a program.
Both gyms offer group exercise classes of various kinds that promote the social aspect of training.
But if there is a single act that can help secure and sustain success, it's starting with a trainer.
"If you're really serious about sticking with a fitness program, take the time to hire a professional to help you with it," Kennedy said. "Try not to go at it alone."
How are you meeting your fitness goals this year? Let The Nugget know at http://www.nuggetnews.com or e-mail [email protected]
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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