When
Chetna Naik (name changed to protect identity) stepped on the weighing scale
earlier this week, the guilt of devouring through the festive season, crept in.
Upon realising that she has put on a few unwanted kilos, she did the next
obvious thing – she joined a gym. Chances are that 8 out of 10 people opt for
fitness related new year resolutions. But how many of these really
materialise?
Certified
fitness trainer Sunil Karmalkar, under his banner Sunil’s Fitness Wave,
conducts beach training routines as well as personal mentoring for the fitness
conscious. Karmalkar says, “As the new year begins every year, people start
realising the need to be fit, but as the year progresses, all the motivation
and dedication keeps dipping. Some join group classes or even start outdoor
jogging with their friends but out of 5, at least 3 drop out. People should
understand that fitness does not have a finish line. We need to exercise
throughout our life to stay fit.” Another fitness trainer, Chetan Gawas, who
works with Basilio’s gym in Panjim, seconds the thought. Gawas says, “This is a
common trend. Every year, in January, we see a surge in the number of gym
memberships. Many people start working out with good intentions, only to be
distracted from workouts. By February, almost 70% of the people drop out.”
While
the solution to endure the distraction and keep pushing towards one’s fitness
goals is as simple as staying motivated, execution is far easier said than done.
But a few suggestions will go a long way in achieving this. Clinton Fernandes,
a fitness enthusiast from Calangute, says, “It is important to have clear cut
goals as opposed to something as vague as ‘I want to gain/lose weight’. Write
down what is the weight/physique that you wish to achieve and keep reminding
yourself about it. One can even have pictures of people who have achieved
results that you desire and push yourself to achieve that in as short time as
possible by following a disciplined lifestyle.” Gawas, too suggests a few more
subtle ideas – “One can make gym buddies. When fatigue sets in, your buddies
can keep you motivated in return for the same favour. The number of individuals
discontinuing working out is far higher than those who work-out in groups.” In
addition to the ideas mentioned above, there are a few unusual solutions that
you can gift yourself or your loved ones. Karmalkar says, “One of my clients
gifted her father a 6-month package of Personal Training and Gym. She paid it
in advance when she was in Goa for Christmas. The fact that she has already
paid for the package will act as an additional motivator for her father to make
full use of it. Gifts like these can be a good alternative to expensive
gadgets.”
For
those trying to achieve their fitness goals, it is a bit difficult but
definitely far from impossible. Hit the nearest gym and work towards sculpting
a body you can flaunt this year.