Out & About October 2017

OA fitness

Workouts + Nutrition + Support = Success

Steps to success As autumn is truly upon us and we hurtle towards the festivities at the end of the year, it is often a time when people think about kick-starting a fitness routine. VICKI BROWN says it’s easy to get started and if you plan properly you can adopt a whole new healthy lifestyle with comparative ease

Working out Firstly, as you might expect, you should look to plan your workout routines. Think about what your goals are, how much time you are going to put aside each week and then, in more detail, what each workout’s aim and content will be for a set period. It is a good idea to loosely plan for 6-8 weeks of training and make sure you have the week ahead planned in detail. It is good to have an idea of direction, but you may need to adapt the plan as you go – progress can sometimes be faster or slower than you might have initially anticipated. Focus on making a little progress each week and try to include some exercise that you enjoy – this will make your plan easier to stick to, and more fun. Nutrition What nutritional choices are you going to adopt once you start your new exercise routine? It is important to think about all the food and drink that you consume. You should track this information and keeping a diary is the easiest way to do this – either with an app such as MyFitnessPal or just simply logging it in a notebook. Here are some basic choices you should make n Make sure you drink at least two to three litres of water a day. n Try and eat as little processed food as possible, with your aim being to fuel your body to its optimum level to achieve maximum results.

is so important for achieving the long-term goals. Professionals have often dealt with many of these issues before with clients and through their own experience, so know how to guide you. Prioritise time for yourself with those who can help you – it pays dividends. Success If you address all of these issues you will be accomplishment; try not to spend too much time comparing yourself to others, but focus on how far you have come and what your own personal goals are. Good luck on your pathway to success. successful in achieving your goal. Remember, success is a personal

n Limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume and increase your helpings of fruit and vegetables. Getting the right balance regarding nutrition often starts with learning about what your food is giving you; in turn, making good daily choices becomes easier and this leads to a long-term healthy lifestyle. Support Setting yourself up with a good support network is an important thing to consider. Do you have the help of your family or close friends? When you have goals to work towards it is extremely helpful if you feel supported. Let people know what you are trying to achieve so they can encourage you along the way. The last thing you want as you get started is the offer of office biscuits or a night out down the pub, because temptation when you are trying to change habits is often counter- productive. Most people thrive off routine and it’s all about taking small steps to change your daily lifestyle to a healthier, fitter and happier one. Professional help can come in the form of showing you how to put a structure and routine into place that will allow you to work towards your goals. A personal trainer or a gym instructor can then keep you accountable and help you with your bumps in the road along the way. Remember, you need to remind yourself this is a long-term plan for long-term results; it may not all be plain-sailing and that is when support

Personal trainer Vicki Brown is the founder of LiveFitNow, based in Wash Common. For a free consultation, more information and links to online home fitness videos, visit: www.LiveFitNow.co.uk

7