Originally uploaded to The Hill is Home flickr pool by Madame Meow.
It’s everybody’s favorite thing to sleep through in the morning: Exercise. If you’re a regular gym-goer, you’ve noticed the January crowds. I’ve even seen a number of runners despite the freezing temps. It’s may be a cliche, but how does one really stick to an exercise plan? Sure, there are plenty of motivations now … getting winded on the stairs? Want to get back into your favorite pair of skinny jeans? Maybe high cholesterol or other health issues have you thinking about getting more active. Eating right is a big part of improving health, but exercise gives a big boost to those results and really helps change your body. I spoke to Alita Brown, owner of the Fitness Together studio at 4th and H Street, Northeast, about what it takes to get started and stay motivated.
Before getting started on any program, Brown says you need to see your doctor and know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol level, etc. “These are key indicators … they help you find out where you fit on the spectrum of fitness level.” For beginners she always suggests finding a personal trainer, “only because you want someone to point you in the right direction, develop a program suitable for you and establish some goals.” Plus, joining a gym right away may not help someone new to exercise who isn’t familiar with the equipment or classes. To help with that learning curve, Brown suggests picking some DVDs so you can try some things at home. “Try out a yoga DVD or dance; things that get your heart rate up.”
Taking the first step is the most difficult. Brown says a good way to get started is to know what your motivation is so you can refer back to it when you start to waver. Accountability and discipline are significant factors. Finding a partner can be a big motivator while promoting accountability, and scheduling time for fitness helps make it part of your daily routine. Most importantly, for people getting started, Brown says, “don’t be afraid to jump in. If you’re ready to start your fitness program, go for it. Whether your family and friends are ready for you to or not.”
Regular exercisers also run into roadblocks, particularly boredom and plateaus. For those people, Brown says, “it may be time to reevaluate and reset your goals and reevaluate your nutrition. Nine out of 10 people not seeing results find that the nutrition part of their program isn’t right. Reevaluate your exercise frequency too, because as we get older the metabolism slows so it takes a little bit more.” If you’ve hit a plateau, “change things up – the days, times and types of exercises you do. Generally when people hit a plateau it is because there is something that needs to be tweaked in the nutritional plan or workout. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
One thing that can work for exercisers at any fitness level is training for an event. Setting a goal and having a timeline can be a big boost to a workout. Washington has no shortage of races and training clubs, like the Washington Running Club, DC Road Runners and the DC Triathlon Club. “Getting with a team is always a great idea because you can train with people who have done a race before. You establish a camaraderie and you can gauge if you’re progressing appropriately,” says Brown.
So what does Brown suggest for this year’s resolution? “For a New Year’s resolution, don’t do the same thing as you did last year. Make a commitment to a program that will work for you.” Maybe it’s a gym membership, some new DVDs, a trainer or a nutritionist. Most important to Brown is using your time well and committing to do something different and better for your body. “Invest some time and money with a professional that can help you really make a change.”
Alita Brown
Fitness Together
408 H Street, NE
(202) 558-6486
email