How to Shape up in the New Year

Published: December 30, 2008

After the partying is past, come the New Year’s Resolutions and topping off the list is usually losing weight and getting in shape. It sounds good in theory, but actually doing it is tough.
So to help get you on track News Three’s Alice Massimi spoke with a fitness expert at Memorial University Medical Center.

It’s that time of year again… When we promise ourselves this will be the year we lose that extra 10 maybe 20 pounds. But lest we forget it’s not an easy goal.
“You’ve got to suck it up at first but it does help to either hire a trainer, because if you can’t motivate yourself they certainly will, or enlist a buddy,” says Khristine Hammond the Manager of Fitness One at Memorial Hospital.
Khristine says in order to do your body good you need to go around five times a week, any less she says will not cut it.
If you’re not sure what to do when you first get to the gym ask for a tour.
“Pick something that interests you and that you are going to keep doing,” she suggests. 
Don’t try to drop 20 pounds in one week, not only is it not healthy it’s close to impossible.
“Set a reasonable goal. People usually set a goal that is maybe too big to start out with. If you do have an ultimate goal that’s maybe 20 or 30 pounds to lose make mini goals, chop it up into 5 pounds at a time.”
A difference Khristine says you shouldn’t mark by the numbers you see on the scale.
“Once you start working out your muscle mass is going to increase, that muscle actually weighs more than fat so your weight could actually go up. I would recommend you find a piece of clothing that maybe you used to fit into a little bit better. Try it on and as you are making progress that is going to get looser and looser.”
But remember reaping the rewards won’t come without a little bit of pain.
“At first if you’ve not been doing anything it is going to be hard. If you are lifting weights a day or two after that you are going to be sore.”
No one ever said new year’s resolution were fun. 

Of course with any exercise program it is also important to also eat healthy.
While there are many diets and plans out there, Khristine says the best thing to do is to speak with a dietician.