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Road_to_Fitness_
- 1. Working out and having a well-balanced diet are key essentials to living a healthier life- style. But for most of us, already juggling assign- ments, jobs and a social life, fitting in the exer- cise and diet we know are good for us can feel more like a chore. The end result is that we may just never get to it. The good news is that there are simple ways to get started on your fitness and healthy eating journey so theres really no excuse not to fit it in. Having self-motivation and a positive mindset have helped many people stay actively fit and make time to maintain their healthy life- style. My fitness journey first began when I was a freshman in high school, says Melissa Handi- bode of Bellmore. I joined the track team for my school after years of not working out and with no experience with track level running. It was hard to keep my motivation because it was very emo- tionally and physically taxing at first. But I had made friends on my team and that kept me go- ing. I think having a support system is extremely important in fitness. Michael Nunez, a fitness trainer at Hofstra University in Hempstead, says that if you have a busy schedule, you should start looking at body- weight exercise programs. There are many phone applications and DVDs containing bodyweight programs that peo- ple can perform anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes in the comfort of their own homes and with little to no equipment, he says. Combine the body- weight program with a good diet and theres the formula to becoming a healthy individual. Helene Konsker, a nutritionist director at Adelphi University in Garden City, says: The brain is a powerful tool and a positive attitude will make the road in all areas of life easier. What we consume every day contributes to about 50 percent of the energy required to stay fit. Work- ing out contributes approximately 20 percent, and getting enough rest contributes the last 30 percent. She says a healthy diet includes whole grains, lean proteins including beans, fruits and vegetables and healthy fats such as olive oil, canola oil, avocado and nuts. By Eileen Interiano Road to Fitness: Whether you want to take it or not
- 2. -Having a positive mindset goes a long way. -Incorporate whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your diet. -If you have a busy schedule, try to down- load workout apps that you can do at home. -Keep your food interesting -Meal planning -Plan your workouts -Consult fitness trainers at the gym -Read the basics about cardio and weight training exercises. -Dont be so hard on yourself -Set short term and long term goals Tips to remember... Having a positive mindset is the most im- portant factor when it comes to fitness. It will help you get back on track when you make a poor food choice or when you decide to skip exercise for a day. If you dont have a positive mindset, you wont reach your fitness goals. Regardless of knowing the right things to do, there are many challenges on the road to fit- ness, especially when youre not getting the im- mediate results you want or when youre feeling stressed. Its always been tough to keep myself motivated, says Nunez. Sometimes I dont see any physical changes after doing an exercise program and I start having poor eating habits. I thought about quitting and it would frustrate me when I didnt perform as I expected or couldnt hit a weight that I thought I could lift. But, I al- ways manage to get myself back because it has become something that I enjoy doing. Ivan Morales of Corona, Queens says that the true challenge in getting fit was a wall that many body builders hit where they cant progress any further. It got to a point where I was working out so much that it began to be detrimental to my health. I wasnt letting my body heal properly and almost injured myself many times. With whatever fitness outlet or routine you decide to start your journey, its best not to overwhelm yourself with all of the content avail- able online about healthy eating and different kinds of exercises. Talk about a time waster. When people decide to begin their fitness journey and start doing their own re- search, the Internet can be an overwhelming place, said Nunez. You start reading up on thousands of di- ets and workout programs, which at first, might seem confusing. I recommend people to start reading about the basics, which consist of car- dio exercise, weight or bodyweight exercise and stretching. After becoming more knowledgeable and learning the movements, then you can start implementing more advanced types of things into the training and diet. Konsker adds: If you start making small changes you wont be overwhelmed. Incorpo- rate new healthy foods into your dietary regi- men, keeping foods gratifying and tasty. Keep your food interesting; play with spices. Radical changes are at the time predictors for failure and unrealistic outcomes. Nunez adds a final tip for people who are on their road to fitness. Having a positive mind- set is the most important factor when it comes to fitness. It will help you get back on track when you make a poor food choice or when you decide to skip exercise for a day. If you dont have a positive mindset, you wont reach your fitness goals.