Physical wellness a top priority for 2024
Even if you’ve resolved not to make any resolutions for 2024, chances are good that you paused to reflect on improvements, seeing Jan. 1 as the end of the “before” that will pale in comparison to the “after” you envision.
Chances are also good that those improvements included physical wellness.
According to an online poll by Forbes Health near the end of 2023, 48% of respondents listed fitness as their top priority for the year to come, beating out finances, mental health, time with loved ones, hobbies, workplace performance and more.
That popularity makes sense. Logic dictates that a healthy body is essential for accomplishing most goals. But logic may not motivate a person to get up for an early morning workout, or lace up running shoes, or just endeavour to move periodically throughout the day.
For that and more, we turn to the experts and alumni of NAIT’s Personal Fitness Trainer program, who offer these 12 pieces of easy-to-follow advice that will have you feeling your best throughout 2024.
Learn more about NAIT’s Personal Fitness Trainer diploma, one of the most in-demand fitness programs in Alberta
How to make and keep goals
1. Set yourself up for measurable success
Setting real goals is a process that involves careful consideration, planning and measurement. Jarryd Reed (Personal Fitness Trainer ’21) explains how to do it.
2. Make the time
Whether it’s work, kids, trying to find time for hobbies, or all of the above, you’ve got a lot going on. But how do your mornings look? Amy Eversley (class of ’10) shows how to be an early bird.
3. Don’t let winter stop you
Winter can be a physical and psychological barrier to achieving your exercise goals. From Falon Fleming (class of ’15), here’s how to overcome the cold.
Work (out) from home
4. Body weight is all it takes
If you have the opportunity to go to a gym that has all the latest gear, why not? If you don’t, fear not. Check out this full-body, equipment-free home workout from Brittany Uchach (class of ’05).
5. Sometimes online will do just fine
The pandemic showed us how much we can accomplish (including saving travel time) through video calls. Can the same apply to working out? Under the guidance of Reed, one techlifetoday writer discovered that it could. Check out his first-person account of a transformative two-month program.
Find a great trainer
6. Look for the right qualifications
It takes more than being fit or sporty to be a personal trainer. “I would say buyer beware,” says one fitness expert. Here’s her advice on finding someone who has the knowledge needed to tailor a plan that suits your goals and that will move you safely and steadily toward them.
Ignore your scale
7. Shift your focus away from weight
The conventional bathroom scale does not offer a complete picture of the composition of your body. That’s why it’s unlikely to be the right tool for measuring progress. Here, two NAIT alumni trainers explain why it’s important not to obsess about a number.
Walk, run or run really, really far
8. Stroll your way to wellness
Don’t discount the power of a brisk walk. It may be low-impact, but it’s impactful in other ways. Check out instructor Dr. Kenneth Riess’s five tips on finding your stride with a walking program.
9. Train for a 5K
Ten weeks is all it takes to go from the couch to crushing a five-kilometre run. Here’s instructor Dr. Tim Just’s take on a standard, step-wise program designed to tackle a manageable distance.
10. Aim for an ultra
Why stop at a marathon when ultramarathon running is booming as an endurance sport? Perhaps the answer is obvious (i.e., it’s not easy). But the rewards include a unique self-knowledge that, as running coach Conway Belcourt (class of ’21) explains, can be applied to better living in general.
Work out the kinks
11. Don’t let sitting bring you down
If you spend most of your day in a chair, your hips are likely aching for a break. To loosen up and prevent that soreness from affecting your posture and gait, consider these seven tips for healthier hips from Ruth MacGillivray (class of ’21).
12. Shed shoulder tension
Your shoulders see a lot of use throughout the day, inviting strain from everyday activities such as cooking and driving. If your answer to what to do about it is a shrug that shouldn't hurt but does, MacGillvray has more tips for exercises that will help keep you pain-free throughout the year to come.
Banner image by Bastian-Weltjen/istockphoto.com