Fitness Resolution Tips
Coach Mo’s top 5 tips for fitness resolution success
Editor's note: Each month, CultureMap features an exclusive story from Austin Fit Magazine. This month, the magazine offers help staying in shape during the doldrums of winter. The January issue is on newsstands now.
In the fitness business, the new year means only one thing: promises to get in shape. Although I know those resolutions are often broken, I am an optimist. It is my job as a trainer to help you keep that one promise to yourself. I can motivate you and give you tips, advice and a regimen. But before we can begin, before those words even come out of your mouth, be realistic. It’s good to have big goals, but you need to keep them achievable. That’s where I come in.
A personal trainer can help you decide what’s within your reach and what will leave you feeling disappointed. Weight loss and fitness are different things. Usually, getting fit results in weight loss, but in my opinion, building muscle, improving cardiovascular health and preventing bone loss is more important than just the numbers on the scale. Plus, if you have been living a sedentary lifestyle, there are many health risks associated with jumping into a fitness program.
For long-term success, find a fitness program that will fit into your lifestyle.
For long-term success, find a program that will fit into your lifestyle. Don’t go out and get a gym membership only to work out for three months and then stop going. Then you’re stuck with a monthly membership fee as a reminder that you didn’t meet your goal. No one likes hearing “I told you so,” especially by a lingering charge on your credit card. To help you make a realistic resolution for fitness, I’ve put together a list for you.
Coach Mo’s top 5 ways to meet and maintain your 2014 fitness goals
1. Make fitness friendly and fun
Find and work out with a group. Your friends will keep you motivated and honest. Plus, working out is more fun when you can laugh through the pain.
2. Hire a personal fitness coach
It’s an investment but, unlike with a gym membership, you will get personalized attention that’s focused just on you. Plus, if you are paying for someone’s time, you are much more likely to show up for your workout.
3. Work out at home
Everyone is tired after a long day. I’m not suggesting that you put in an hour; every little bit helps. Ten or 15 minutes in the morning and 20 at night equals a good workout each day. You can search for workout routines on YouTube if you don’t have a treadmill or an exercise bicycle.
4. Set realistic goals for yourself
I know this advice is also above, but it’s worth repeating. As you progress on your fitness journey, your goals may change, and that’s okay. It’s a good idea to re-evaluate them from time just to make sure the goal is still worth chasing.
5. "Just Do It"
Nike has made millions on this slogan. The only way to achieve a goal is to start working toward it and just keep doing it. Fitness is a marathon, not a sprint, and if you’ve ever watched a marathon, you've seen that some people walk — even crawl — to the finish line. What matters is they just do it. As Muhammad Ali said, “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it."
Five questions to ask when choosing your trainer
1. What is your payment policy for a missed session?
2. How do you handle injuries?
3. What do you expect from your clients?
4. What is your experience with clients’ weight-loss plans — have they been successful?
5. Can you help me with nutrition and meal planning?
One of the weekend's major talking points was the addition of the new Paddock Hospitality track at the top of Turn 1. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although he is not in contention for a repeat championship, Lando Norris remains a crowd favorite. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli led from the start, never losing placement as he claimed his ninth win of the season. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It was hard to get a moment with Paddock star the Ferrari Pope, who posed for pictures all weekend. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli greeted the Grandstand before boarding the trailer ahead of the Driver's Parade on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Lily Zneimer stopped for a quick portrait before heading into the McLaren garage to support her boyfriend, driver Oscar Piastri.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Michael Dell made their way to the McLaren garage just before the qualifying round on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It takes a well-oiled machine of a team to win races. No drama, just fist bumps and good communication. Oh, and a fast car.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
COTA's new attraction is the theme park, aptly named COTALand. Clearly, the jury remains out on the spectacle. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's not uncommon to see fans lined up outside of the Paddock as they wait for their favorite drivers and teams to head out for the day. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Last year's US Grand Prix winner, Max Verstappen, finished third this year after starting second on the grid. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Alpine's pit crew got their warm-ups done shortly before race start on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
"All we talk about are tires and batteries in this sport. (They're the) stars of the show," said Nic Cameron of Leeds, New York. Mercedes engineers stacked used tires from the qualifying session to send off for analysis.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Interior designer and Miss Jamaica Universe 1994 Angelie Spencer was on site to support her favorite team, Ferrari. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Having Cadillac driver and fan favorite Checo Perez back on the grid has been great for the US Grand Prix, as thousands of Mexicans come to Austin to watch their countryman race. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's no surprise who fashion influencer Aimee Kelly supports.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although Antonelli took home the winner’s trophy, he did not clinch the driver’s championship as some had hoped. He needed teammate George Russell to fall to 9th and ex-Mercedes world champion Lewis Hamilton to finish in 5th. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Mercedes garage was full of adrenaline as they waited for Antonelli to arrive at parc fermé and take the traditional plunge into the hands of his crew.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The championship is all but Antonelli’s, with one hand firmly on the grip of the trophy. He is expected to complete his first-ever world championship this weekend in Mexico.Photo by Daniel Cavazos