It’s a new year, a new you. This time you promise yourself that you will meet those health and fitness goals you’ve set out to do this year. What’s the secret? Well, it’s really not much of a secret.
Just remember this: Take One Step at a Time
It takes one step at a time to meet any goal you set out to achieve. Looking at dropping twenty, thirty, forty pounds or more at once and believing those weight loss gimmick infomercials is overwhelming and will often lead to even more weight gain. Instead, pick one or two eating or exercise habits that you know you can handle changing. Master that then move on. It could be reducing or eliminating something like soda from your diet, walking for a half-an-hour each day, taking up yoga, work out outside with a buddy, got aggression? Take up a kickboxing class!
I had the pleasure to talk with Personal Trainer: Elisha Quillen Smith about strategies to achieve health and fitness goals. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and certified as an NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist, she understands fitness is a lifelong journey. Packed with positive kick-butt energy, Elisha knows that if her clients truly want to reach their goals, they will. Here are some words of wisdom she has imparted from her years of training clients:
Q: How should someone who isn’t active start an exercise regiment?
A: “[It is important to] find an activity you truly enjoy. You can burn calories many different ways…Try different classes and training techniques to find out what YOU like and what works for YOU.”
Q: What is the most important piece of training advice you can give to someone?
A: Be accountable to someone. Have a workout buddy, trainer or any person to support you in your efforts. Having someone to meet for a workout makes you more likely to go on the days you feel like you just can’t drag yourself to the gym.
Q: What equipment do you personally use?
A: I combine running regularly, jump rope with the TRX. It stands for Total Resistance Exercise. It quickly builds tone and core strength through isometric work while greatly reducing chance of injury.
Q: What are your recommendations for diets?
A: I believe in trying to eat as natural as possible. There are many factors that affect this but try to stay away from processed food. [This always] makes me feel better. It can get expensive eating all organic and natural. I keep costs down by purchasing from my local farmers market and have joined a CSA. So don’t beat yourself up and do what you can, just making some substitutions will help.
Q: What is your favorite quote that keeps you going?
A: When I completed the Rock N Roll Marathon in 2000, this quote was on the back of my shirt: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are usually right” - Henry Ford. After crossing the finish line this really hit home. Ultimately we have control over our own destinies and goals. Knowing this gives me the energy I need to keep going and inspiring each and every client.
Elisha is a Personal Trainer with Holistic Strategies and trains at The Space Market & Studio at 195 Arizona Ave L/W #7, Atlanta, GA 30307. You can contact her at 678.478.9937 or elisha@holisticstrategiesinc.com