Getting in shape takes time

TRI-COUNTY AREA—Getting in shape is a common New Year’s resolution.
However, it is easier said than done, making it a resolution not everybody accomplishes. There are several resources in the area to help people, though.
“Everybody has a goal,” said Jennifer Genega, trainer at Snap Fitness in Penn Yan. She added, “why wait?” She suggested working out four times a week.
Genega said losing weight includes eating well balanced meals, following nutritional serving sizes and quantities, and drinking eight glasses of water a day.
Dan Soboleski, owner of Independent Fitness in Watkins Glen, explained it takes people five to six weeks to get into the routine of working out regularly. He said that is when you start to see results.
He advised people to start out slowly. Soboleski explained if someone works out too hard the first time they will be sore for a week and will get out of the routine. He said people need to make working out a part of the regular schedule and “not an extra thing.”
“People think of (working out) as a quick fix, but it’s not,” said Soboleski.
“Lifetime fitness is essential to a long and happy life,” said Jen Hutchess, one of the Dundee Decrease organizers.
The Dundee Decrease just started its second round of the Biggest Loser style program. The winners from last year’s program had a number of things that led to losing weight. The participants worked out regularly, going to the gym as often as possible.
Alicia Kroetch lost the largest percent of body weight. She said she tried walking two miles every day and limiting meals to 500 calories. Kroetch also learned paitence was necessary. After the program she said there were some discouraging times when the weight loss wasn’t immediate.
Information is also available online. People can look up information on calories and food groups at http://www.myfoodapedia.gov. The Web site also lets you compare two foods. For more on the food pyramid and other fitness advice, visit http://www.mypyramid.gov. MyPyramid also offers up some suggestions for ways to increase activity throughout the year.
Even though it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t take a walk outdoors. If you do, the Mayo Clinic offers some safety tips: wear sunscrean because you can still get burned, do the last half of the workout with your back to the wind, know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia, and dress in appropriate layers. The Mayo Clinic suggests a thin layer of synthetic material first, then a layer of fleece or wool, and a waterproof, outer layer.