It’s the time of year again when gyms fill with people carrying out New Year’s resolutions, but for the most part the crowds don’t last long.
Jodi Oslund, owner of Coyote Fit, says a good way to be successful with resolutions is through support of family and friends.
Oslund says she and her family do a “January detox” to clean up after Christmas and work together to stay on track.
“My kids are phenomenal at doing a little daily pyramid of workouts that you don’t need any equipment for and they’re the first ones to remind me to get up and do 10 of each of these,” explained Oslund. “We do it as a family, it ends with some laughs and even if we only got 10 minutes in together it’s 10 minutes more than not doing it.”
She explained there are resources available to provide nutrition tips at home, as well as fitness activities one can do without equipment, a gym membership or attending classes to help you succeed without the additional financial or commitment stresses.
The gym owner also recommends setting smaller goals rather than being defeated by putting too much on your plate.
“I know for a lot of people their reason, or excuse if we want to call it that, is time,” said Oslund. “Even if they just gave themselves 10 minutes [or] 20 minutes a day rather than looking at an hour commitment a day to try and get something in is better than nothing.”
Even with an achievable set goal people need to be kept accountable, whether it be fitness related or not.
Oslund says some of her members have been able to find motivation by putting sticky notes as reminders on bathroom mirrors, adding sometimes reminding yourself why you set the goal in the first place can be what you need to keep going.
With her members she tries to encourage activity, especially in the winter months, with little challenges.
She will challenge people to record how much screen time they have a day and match it with active minutes.
To help encourage activity through the winter months Eckville FCSS and Early Years Matter are hosting free family fitness events in January, February and March.
Oslund also referred to a free walking club offered at the Community Centre, which is held twice a week to get people moving in a safe environment.
Other facilities in town will be offering fitness activities as well, including Coyote Fit, Peace in a Pod and Crank Gym.
“It’s pretty amazing that this is going to be offered for the financial purposes for people, but also it takes away an excuse for people and it just gets you out and active with your family,” commented Oslund. “Kids like to do what their parents are doing so it they’re doing it together it just encourages that positive healthy lifestyle.”
Oslund added when setting goals for herself she tries to think outside the fitness and nutrition box.
She sets herself on the path to connect with a friend she hasn’t seen in a while, becoming more efficient in certain areas or even something as simple as random acts of kindness.