You get educated for your job and you read instruction manuals for gadgets, so why wouldn’t you learn the correct way to improve your fitness? Improving your health involves many aspects so here are a few tips to go with your personal training.

If you are typically inactive or inconsistent in your exercise routine, start with a low-to-moderate intensity workout like walking or jogging. Increase your session evenly over time up to 30 minutes three days a week and after a few weeks you could see a weight loss of nearly four to five pounds. Make sure to control your portions in your diet.

Avoid crazy diets you see on TV or online. Cutting out nutrients like carbohydrates will only cause low energy and irritability. The best way to deal with your diet is to shrink your portion sizes. Eat roughly two-thirds of the amount you would normally eat. The best foods are, of course, fruits and vegetables – they are full of fiber and will satisfy your appetite. This doesn’t mean to completely cut out meats and grains, but remember to eat lean meats such as chicken and whole grain breads.

Strength training will also help immensely. Try adding weights to your exercise routine after a week or two. Just 20 minutes of basic exercises two days a week will help firm and tone your entire body. Strength training can also increase your metabolism, which will help you burn more calories – even at rest.

If you have a goal to improve a certain area of your body you will likely find that more difficult than you would expect. For example, just doing crunches or leg lifts will not give you “six pack” abs. Sticking to a healthy, balanced diet and holding to an exercise program will prove much more effective at shaping your body. And if you have questions you can ask one of our personal trainers for advice on where to start or improve your routine. That is, after all, what they are here for.

To the you that you want to be! From all of us at Foothill Athletic!

Gyms usually see a rise in activity during the beginning of the year, yet many of those who start will not continue throughout the year. They will go very regularly during the first month, and after that may only visit a few times a month or stop all together. When you ask these people why they do not go to the gym anymore, the reason that they will probably give you is that they do not have enough time. This may be true, yet they did have time earlier in the year? Now it sounds a little bit like an excuse.

Losing motivation is the most common obstacle people run into. This happens because they are either not yet confronted by the effects of not exercising regularly or they do not realize the benefits of regular exercise. Not exercising regularly can severely impair your health at a later stage of your life, while regular exercise will significantly improve your physical, emotional and mental health. By working out frequently you’ll be able to burn fat faster, increase your energy levels, boost your self-esteem and relieve stress. These are real benefits that will improve your life beyond just losing a few pounds. The best way to remain motivated is to set a goal for yourself, whether it is losing 5 pounds or running in 5K.

You need a plan, and the best way to develop a plan is to first decide what you need to do to achieve your goal. Speak to one of our personal trainers to achieve your goal; then design a workout routine that will help you to reach your goal and fit into your schedule. Be specific about what you need to do and how you will do it. Create a specific routine of when you will exercise. It will be much easier to commit to an exercise plan, if you know exactly when it needs to happen. This will help you to continue with your exercise program and achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself.

When you do not enjoy something, you will need a lot of will power and energy to continue with it. Most people tend to stop if they do not enjoy something, or at least enjoy the benefits of it. The same is true of exercise. The key to continued exercise is, therefore, to find something that you enjoy doing or making the specific exercise you are doing fun. For instance, if you want to work on your fitness, but do not really like the treadmill, play some racquetball instead or take a swim in our lap pool. When you enjoy what you are doing, you will significantly increase the likelihood of continuing your exercise here at Foothill Athletic Club throughout the year.

We are here to help you meet your goals!

The #1 New Year’s resolution is losing weight and everyone at Foothill Athletic Club is ready to help you meet your goals. Did you know that obese Americans make up almost a quarter of the U.S. population? Obesity is responsible for a $40 billion jump in annual medical spending and those that are obese spend on average $1,400 more than people of normal weight. Your taxes, which help pay for Medicare and Medicaid, go towards $600 and $230 per patient, respectively, to help pay for obese patients. Reports attribute this spike to treatment for obesity-related ailments such as diabetes and heart disease. The total annual medical costs related to obesity is now estimated at $147 and is increasing at neatly 9% per year.

Obesity isn’t just a risk to your wallet; it’s a risk to your personal health as well. Being overweight increases the chances of heart problems even at an early age. Diabetes and all of the potential complications associated with the disease such as Stroke are reason enough to decrease your chances of getting the disease. Another health concern related to obesity is vision. Being obese can cause a number of conditions, which result in vision loss. Obesity can also reduce your lifespan.

Suddenly that hamburger and fries doesn’t sound like such a good deal, right? Eating right is a big part of leading a healthier life. But it isn’t enough. That’s why we want to ask everyone to take an active role in changing his or her lifestyle. And the best way to do that is to join us at Foothill Athletic Club. Getting a good workout is the healthiest way to lose weight and get fit.

We have plenty of workout classes as well as personal training available. Our Starter Aerobics are a great place to start losing weight. We have many other classes as well including STEP, Body Sculpting, and High-low impact aerobics. Check out our fitness schedule to find a class and time that fits your schedule. Our personal trainers are here to help you workout and get fit efficiently and effectively. And if working out in a class or using the machines isn’t something you are interested in we also have a heated lap pool as well as 3 racquetball courts to help you get a great workout.

We look forward to seeing you at Foothill Athletic Club very soon!

-Kevin