Community Corner

Five Tips to Help You Keep Your Fitness Goals in 2013

Planning to lose some weight in the new year? Here's how you can stay motivated.

A new year usually means new resolutions for most people. If one of your resolutions to lose a few pounds, get toned, or to be more active in general, you may need a little help getting started. Patch asked Pro MAXX Fitness personal trainer Rachel Martin for five tips to help you meet your fitness goals this year.

Martin has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Mary Washington and has experience as a year's worth of experience as a group instructor and personal trainer for Customs Fitness Concepts. She is also an assistant coach for the Langley High School women's varsity basketball team in McLean.

Five Tips to Help Achieve Your Fitness Goals in 2013

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  1. Having trouble with motivation to walk/run on the treadmill? Before you begin set a specific goal within reach, whether it be minutes or miles, and think of an inspirational person in your life for each one. That will push you to not let that person down and to complete your workout.
  2. Try incorporating exercises that work multiple muscles at one time. For example, try doing walking lunges with dumbbells and add a shoulder press on your way up. This will not only engage your arms and your legs, but also your core at the same time. Talk about getting more bang for your buck.
  3. Interval training. Whether on the bike, elliptical, or treadmill incorporate intervals of high and low intensity training. If on a bike for example, increase the resistance and pedal fast for 30 seconds and then decrease the resistance for the next 90 seconds. Repeat until you reach your desired workout time.
  4. Drink more water! Water is the most critical nutrient for health, growth, and development. In order to perform at your optimal level, it is important to drink sufficient water for stamina, fuel, and building muscle. Remember, just because it is winter and you are not sweating just walking out the door does not mean you should neglect your water intake. You still need it!
  5. Make working out part of your daily routine and not by just going to the gym. For example, have a workout regimen before you get into the shower. Make it something simple and easy so that you will actually do it, like 20 jumping jacks and 10 push-ups. This will help you burn extra calories without even thinking about it.


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