20 Steps to Your Perfect Vision for the New Year
If you want to sharpen your vision for 2020, forget about resolutions, which come with heavy pressure and high failure rates.
Being healthy is a process and is packed with daily choices. It’s not a goal or an event.
We prefer thinking about positive steps you can take every day.
Living the life you want to live takes steady, concentrated intention. Why pin it on the calendar changing?
Consider these 20 things we can all do all the time to improve our lives. And come see us soon. We’re here to help you live your best life by being fit – with strength, functionality, endurance, flexibility and fun.
- Move your body every day. You don’t have to go to the gym every day but do something – walk around your neighborhood, do body-weight moves at home, take a dance class, come play some squash, racquetball, Tai Chi or Restorative Yoga classes. Whatever. Just move.
- Limit your calories if you’re trying to lose weight. It’s a simple formula: Eat fewer calories than you use, and you will lose weight. Better yet, burn off more calories than you consume by eating healthier and being more active.
- More fruits and veggies, less candy and chips.
- More lean protein, fewer candy bars and donuts.
- More water, less alcohol (yes that includes wine) and soda (even diet).
- Lift weights. People over 50 need to practice strength training two to three times a week. It won’t make you bulk up. It will improve your functional abilities, health, mood, balance and looks.
- Don’t eat in front of the TV. In fact, turn off the TV and talk to someone, play with your pet, read a book, or prep tomorrow’s meals.
- Consider hiring a personal trainer. One on one or partner training with a friend, learning to workout for health and reduce chances of injury are great reason to work with a professional. You might just get to like your trainer as well. It may be a love hate relationship but it will be a rewarding relationship.
- Or enroll in small-group training. More like minded people, more fun.
- Either way, talk to your trainer about your goals (you want to go on a ski trip, or you want more confidence with your grand kids). Your motivation matters.
- Also share your limitations or concerns. A good trainer knows how to accommodate you.
- Tell your loved ones you love them more often.
- Meditate, pray, or practice mindfulness every day.
- Do the thing. You know the thing we mean. Do it.
- Focus on losing fat more than weight. Change your body composition – change your health.
- Sleep well. Rest well. Relax well. It’s so important, no matter what your level of fitness or exercise intensity.
- Remember, exercise is the miracle drug. It’s good for your bones, muscles, balance, heart, breathing, mental health and sleep.
- Practice an attitude of gratitude. Exercise is a celebration of what your body can do. Be thankful you can move as well as you do.
- Remember exercise is fun – even when you don’t feel like it. You be happy you got up and did something.
- You do you. Nobody else can, after all. And one of the gifts of being older is the confidence to evaluate options and embrace your choices.
As fitness experts, we know that plenty of people start each year wanting to get in shape.
We’re here to help. And we look forward to talking and answering any questions you have.
To 2020 and beyond.
Gordon Palmer, Personal Trainer, Functional Aging Specialist, Precision Nutrition Coach at Global Fitness Kelowna.
