Resolution Revolutions: Our guide to attainable health & fitness goals

BY RITA BRATOVICH

As well as de-cluttering, watching less TV and being nicer to certain relatives, many New Year’s resolution lists include goals around fitness and health – lofty or insincere goals that are often abandoned after the second week of futile effort. Yet, health goals are utterly achievable, as long as you take a considered, planned approach.

More than anything else, mindset will influence the success or failure of your goal setting. Focusing on “denial” and “resistance” creates a negative frame of reference. Instead, allow yourself to appreciate that you are finally treating your body with care and respect.

A significant factor of mindset is knowledge. Educate yourself about health and fitness and it will lead to increased interest, confidence in your choices and a more positive attitude. The caveat here is to be discerning – there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” solution.

“Each person has a different metabolism and [it] is important to understand what suits your body better,” advises Caique Ponzoni, CEO and founder of Naked Foods, an organic and natural health foods store with six Sydney locations including Bondi, Newtown and the Tramsheds. Their diligence in ensuring products are ethically sourced and delivered translates into goods of high quality and integrity, and advice you can trust.

“We believe that anything at Naked Foods can be incorporated as part of your diet,” assures Ponzoni. And what exactly should you incorporate into your diet?

“Lots of greens, healthy fats (nuts, coconut oil, butter) and organic or grass fed protein.”

Frequenting a store like Naked Foods will allow you to become familiar with particular foods, as well as with staff and other regular customers. You’ll then be more likely to continue with and expand your healthy eating habit.

If you’ve got a collection of mouldy gym memberships in the drawer where you keep best intentions, then chances are you just don’t like going to the gym. But there are options that don’t involve watching people in a g-string leotard do squats. Movement Republic is a boutique gym with a difference.

“It’s designed for how you move through life,” explains Director Ann Charleston, who runs the gym and also designed the custom equipment. Instead of traditional exercises, workouts involve obstacle courses and unique activities that imitate or facilitate everyday movements. They offer individual assessments including 3D body scans and personalised programs.

With both trainers and clients ranging in age from 20 to 60 yrs, the focus is on community and interactivity. ‘No isolated people and no isolated movements’ is their creed.

This is a key concept recognised by Movement Republic and supported by research – the importance, in general, of social engagement for mental and emotional health. Some fitness environments can be intimidating, insular and unsupportive, but many businesses are becoming aware of the inherent human need to belong to a tribe.

SheCamp is a women only boot camp that runs outdoor sessions at Maroubra Beach and St Peters. Susie, chief trainer, explains why it is gender specific:

“There are many mixed groups available so I thought it would be beneficial to provide a female only program, for women of all ages, sizes and fitness levels to come together in a safe and supportive environment to work on their health and fitness goals.”

There is a great selection of activities and they all take place outdoors. According to Susie, “exercising in natural environments has been associated with greater feelings of revitalisation, increased energy and positive engagement.” It can provide “structure and camaraderie that can often be difficult to find in indoor settings…”

If you’d like to find a “male-only” equivalent or other specific needs group, try the Fitness Australia website (www.fitness.org.au).

There are many things you can do alone that are much more fun to do with other people – cycling being one. And if riding on a highway at 6am in a moving swarm of fluorescent lycra isn’t your thing, no fear, there are plenty of bespoke BUGs (Bicycle User Group) that you can join.

Sydney Spokes, for instance, is a gay and lesbian cycling group (but welcome to all who are welcome to all). The group conducts social rides on most Sundays, exploring different areas of Sydney and focusing on fun, scenery and coffee. Any fitness level, any bike type and any attire is acceptable (providing it complies with NSW cycling laws). The group also takes part in organised events and fundraising as well as bike and non-bike related socialising. There is a strong sense of community and friendship and some members have even found a partner. Cycling is the perfect entry-level fitness activity.

All this unexpected movement may awaken muscles that thought they had been made redundant, and you may get complaints in the way of pain and stiffness. Of course a trip to the massage salon is an optimum solution, but you should really consider massage therapy even before you start exercising. As Bess De Brenni from My Massage Works points out:

“We spend more time sitting or standing on hard surfaces than we ever have. We spend hours craning our necks to view computers, iPads and phones. This is having a huge effect on our bodies.”

If you’ve been inactive for a while, a massage will help free up joints, release tension, and stimulate circulation. It will help you become aware of your body. A good masseur will teach you about correct posture and the best way to ease into your new activity regime.

“Remedial massage treatments help your body recover, align and flourish. If your body is not performing at its best your mind and spirit [are] also being constricted,” adds De Brenni.

Meanwhile, if you’ve gone for a run after months of sedentary Netflix binging, what’s the best way to apologise to your body?

“Stretching!” says De Brenni. “We all need to do it.”

Being fit and healthy should not be about reluctance, sacrifice, or solitary struggle. In fact, the exact opposite is true. It’s been proven that enjoying and sharing things that are good for you, will make them even better for you. (RB)