Accountability paves the way
It’s here again. New year inspiration time. The question is—are you simply dreaming about cutting out unhealthy foods and making time for fitness? Or are you ready to launch those goals into orbit? Hitting our health goals can get a little sketch without a solid plan and some built-in accountability. If getting in shape and embracing healthy eating habits in 2023 sounds appealing, maybe it’s time hang out with more fitness-minded people who can actually help you get there. After all, going it alone is highly overrated. Here are some ways to get connected with fitness folks.
Training for Warriors (TFW), a Longmont-based boutique style fitness studio is just place for anyone who wants to zip up those jeans a little easier—or run-walk their fur baby around the block. Studio owner Kristy Neary, CPT, NASM, and her team of coaches help people get fit by developing lifestyle changes that work.
Her secret weapon is simple. Communication. Neary starts with a one-one sit down style discussion to root out pesky stumbling blocks that often lead to inflated numbers on the bathroom scale. She says that goals like weight loss are far too vague. She wants to know why you have a specific goal. “Maybe you want to look sexy on your trip to Mexico later this year,” Neary said.
By adding “the why” to the goal, she says it suddenly becomes more tangible. And it also helps you visualize the end result from all that hard work that’s required.
When people finally become serious about their goals, it’s because they have finally learned how to prioritize their goals. That means no more excuses. Change requires us to accept the idea that goals come at the expense of time, Neary said. Like the time it takes for workouts. Grocery shopping. Planning meals and meal prepping.
“Look at your schedule and schedule your workouts. If you like workouts at noon, but also have meetings, then you have to reschedule the workout,” she said, because skipping workouts won’t cut it, she added.
When Neary sits down to have the talk with clients who are struggling, she has to prepare herself to have some tough conversations about habits. Eating sugary snacks in the afternoon or drinking excess alcohol are two of the biggest obstacles for people, she said. Both can affect energy levels in her clients, she’s noticed.
“With food it’s usually an addiction and breaking the addiction. We don’t have mental health training so we do some handholding. It usually takes about 10 days to break the addiction.”
Starting in January, TFW is offering a 10-week challenge to help people jump start their 2023 fitness goals. The program consists of training two times a week, recording starting and ending body measurements, weekly one-on-one accountability sessions, and a plan that helps each person hit their goals.
Banish boredom—join a rec center
Want to meet more fitness minded people and stop feeling so cooped up every winter? YMCA of Northern Colorado offers far more activities than most people might realize. Activities include group sports like volleyball and basketball—to swimming, resistance training, and group exercise classes, like yoga and dance—to personal training, Pilates and group hikes.
Anyone who claims that fitness at a rec center gets boring maybe they have not given the Y a try. Take their schedule of dance classes alone. Not many gyms offer line dancing. Plus, classes like hip-hop and dance fusion jazz up the dance studio with new moves.
Since the Y offers so many activities and unique programs for all bodies, ages and many health conditions, the environment naturally feels inclusive—which is not always the case at other fitness establishments.
“Inclusion is one of our core values. We take pride in being a community organization that welcomes, uplifts and empowers all people. Each and every day, we work to make wellness accessible to as many people as possible,” said Andra Coberly Webster, executive director of communications.
They also offer classes for older adults, people with Parkinson’s and MS, and those with balance issues or in recovery from cancer.
New members receive three one-on-one sessions with a wellness coach. This helps people learn to use the equipment, set goals and reduce the intimidation that some people may feel when first starting out, Webster said.
—By Elise Oberlissen for LONGMONT MAGAZINE
