Recharge your
Rejuwovrkeount ate
yourself!
Arecent survey by RoperASW shows you improved strength and
that Americans are becoming more endurance, it will help you
health conscious. Comparing 1998 lose weight and prevent
with 2003, the percentage of Ameri- boredom, says Michael Wood,
cans who place “a lot of importance” on a certified strength and PHOTODISC
getting enough sleep rose to 59 percent conditioning specialist and
By Patricia Amend
(up 16 percent); on drinking more water, 51 director of the Sports Performance Group sauna or whirlpool. You’ll attach more plea-
percent (up 11 percent); on making better at the New England Sports Academy in sure to the notion of working out—a power-
food choices, 47 percent (up 8 percent); on Westwood, Massachusetts. ful motivator.
getting more exercise, 40 percent (up 6 per- “You willalso seebetterresultsif you vary A new goal. It’s important to be goal-
cent); and on relieving stress, 39 percent (up the intensity of your workout,” says Wood. oriented in your workout. To chase away the
11 percent). “For example, try some ‘interval training,’ exercise blahs, choose a charity walk, run or
However, the data also reflect the diffi- which calls for alternating high-intensity bicycling event to train for. Or, if you’re plan-
culty that people often have translating these aerobic exercise, where your heart rate is ning a golf vacation, for example, try some
priorities into action. The number of elevated, with brief bouts of recovery.” exercises that will improve your game.
Americans who engaged in healthy behav- A slower, smarter workout. As a highly “Most activities or sports such as tennis,
iors rose between 1998 and 2000, but fell motivated careerist, you may be working out golf, skiing, cycling and running have spe-
between 2000 and 2003. too quickly—and stressfully. As a result, cific exercises that can improve your perfor-
Do you intend to exercise but have trou- exercise is wearing, instead of energizing. mance,” Wood says. “When training for a
ble following through? Has your motivation Take a breath; pace yourself. Go through sport, it’s important to train for specific
to work out been lagging lately? If so, the rea- your workout with a personal trainer to see movement patterns rather than just individual
son may be simple: Perhaps you have fallen that you’re doing each exercise properly. This muscles. You can get this training advice
into a rut that is making your workouts isespeciallyimportant withstrength training. from many personal trainers and, often,
less productive and fun. As 2004 begins, “Aqualified trainer can also help you make online. Focusing on a favorite sport each sea-
it’s a good time to evaluate your program to your workout more efficient,” Wood points out. son will give you more purpose at the gym.”
see if it needs a tune-up. “Individuals waste a great deal of time by using A better workout space. If you’re a
improper technique, by using too little or too home exerciser but tend to skip workouts, it
You may need: much weight and by performing exercises that may be that your exercise space isn’t com-
New activities. The good news is that may not be appropriate for their goal.” fortable. Don’t make the mistake of putting
your body gets stronger as you exercise. The To de-stress further, consider yoga, tai exercise equipment in a dark corner of the
bad news is, it adapts to what you’re doing. chi or Pilates, all of which emphasize focused basement, where it’s easy to forget—or
You need to “surprise” it occasionally by breathing. Stretching at the end of your work- avoid. Instead, put it in a happier spot—
working more muscles. Do that by taking a out will also give you time to realize how upstairs, where you can open the windows to
new class at your health club or by adding good you feel as you loosen those muscles. let in fresh air, or perhaps in front of a TV or
strength training, if you’re used to cardio. On some days, skip your normal work- VCR/DVD, where you can watch the news or
Doing new things will not only give out, do some stretching, then head for the a movie or try out a new workout tape.
Retooling your workout now is time well
Adding variety to your spent. It will recharge you mentally and put
workout builds fitness you in fighting shape for the new year. C
and wards off boredom. You’ll find a wide variety of products at
THE COSTCO CONNECTION
Costco to help you get in shape this
year: treadmills and strength equipment
(including the Bowflex Power Pro XTL),
accessories for yoga and Pilates, fitness
videos, sports drinks, clothes and more.
For more products, see costco.com.
Patricia Amend, M.A., is the co-author of two fitness books: The 30-Minute Fitness Solution: A
Four-Step Plan for Women of All Ages and The
Exercise Exchange Program.
