Barry’s Fitness

Now is the time to start thinking what fitness programme you want to take on in the coming 12 months. Do you wish to get into gym circuits, aerobics or running. Are you looking for something to help reduce stress, but at the same time tone your body, then perhaps you would enjoy pilates or Tai Chi. Another possibility for reducing stress and becoming relaxed is yoga. To help you decide on one of these, there are DVD’s you can purchase or maybe even hire so as to get an idea.

Another possible way of getting and staying fit is to take up a sport such as golf, tennis, squash. These are just three examples, but there are many more. Have you got a spouse, friend, another member of the family where you can take up a sport together. Join a club and get professional training from a coach so as to become more competent at the new sport far quicker.

If you really enjoy the outdoors then join a ramblers club or go hiking, but make sure you have good walking equipment. You will always find beautiful places to explore no matter where you live in the world.
Whatever avenue you decide on give it a good try before you say this is not for me. But you must be doing it because you really enjoy it and not just for the sake of doing it.

The end results you are looking for is fitness, a more healthy lifestyle, fun, more energy. If you find the right type of programme for you these end results will emerge. Also you may make new friends, get a new outlook on life because you will feel fitter, feel healthier.

Therefore take time out, sit down and list things you want to achieve with yourself. Then list what you think you need to do to achieve them. Look at which avenue would best suit your needs and achievments, is it gym or aerobics. Is it taking up a sport you would prefer, or is it something like pilates, Tai Chi or yoga.

If you decide on gym activites go to your local sports or gym centre and give it a try. Speak to a member of the gym, get an induction course so you get a feel for it. You can then either join the gym or if you have space at home - an empty garage or a spare bedroom, why not purchase some exercise fitness equipment and set up your own. You can start with perhaps just a running machine and a fixed bicycle. Later you can add other items, perhaps even some light weights. You would be the envy of your friends.

Even if you decide on taking up sport, still go to a place where you can try out before you commit yourself. Go along to your local golf club or your sports centre to try squash or perhaps badminton. When decided then start purchasing the equipment needed. You will be so pleasantly surprised how exciting it is to go out and get your golf equipment and accessories or your squash racket. It will give you a buzz and make you want to get playing whatever sport you have decided on.

If you want to take up something to relieve your stress and at the same time get reasonably gentle exercise then it will probably be pilates or Tia Chi. There are other activities out there you could do, but I have just named two

This is definitley the right time of year to put ideas and plans into your mind and then into practice. If you give yourself 100% commitment to something you enjoy you will see a different person within yourself. Because once you start becoming more fitter, healthier, you will want to achieve even more. You will probably then look at your eating habits and see how you can improve them to get a much more healthier diet, because fitness, healthy diets and healthy living all go together to make a much better life.