Of the 50 percent of Americans who make a New Year’s resolution, only eight percent of people stick to it, according to experts at the Statistic Brain Research Institute.
Over 90 percent simply give up, whether out of laziness, perceived difficulty or because their hearts really were not in it in the first place. Experts say that those resolutions typically fall by the wayside by mid-February.
One of the top resolutions that is abandoned early is to get fit and healthy. The Malibu Times talked with local fitness trainers and coaches who explain that — while the first day of 2016 may be well past — it is never too late work on (or restart) a fitness resolution.
Betsy Lluch works at Malibu Health and Rehabilitation. As a trainer, coach and competitive runner, she has been shaping bodies for more than 20 years, using a combination of weight lifting and cardio work.
For Lluch, a workout must be scheduled into the day — just like work hours. She said that while many people go to their jobs every day and perhaps feel overweight and out of shape, their workout has to become a daily (or near daily) part of life in order to be on the path to health and fitness.
Since Malibu offers an abundance of trails, hiking can be that path to fitness, according to Tina Sartorious, a personal trainer at Malibu Fitness. She explained that hiking can be one of the best ways to burn some calories, while taking in beautiful views.
For four years, Sartorious led fitness hikes while working at the “The Biggest Loser” resort, located in the Malibu Hills.
“It’s never too late — some days are better than others,” she said. “If you feel you slacked off, go back and start a new class or something different. If you’re bored in classes or uninspired by them, try something new. It’s always great to try something new.”
If you’re always doing cardio at the gym, Sartorious recommended mixing it up and taking something like a new dance class.
“It’s good for your body and mind to try something new,” she explained.
Sartorius also emphasized that stretching is very important. She said she likes the yoga and ball classes at Malibu Fitness that feature stretching and strengthening.
To keep motivation up she said to remember that “every day is a new day.”
Diana Nicholson echoed Lluch’s advice and explained that scheduling workouts is one of her go-to tips. The Pilates instructor and health coach, based out of Malibu Health and Rehabilitation, tells her clients to schedule time for fitness and said that it can be as simple as “going on a hike on Saturday and Sunday” or “planning a fast walk.”
“It’s easier to commit when you have a plan,” Nicholson said. Nicholson also said we people should think in the long term. She explained that she believes in sustainable, moderate workouts that will last over time.
“It’s all about staying on task, not necessarily competing with anyone, but be better than you were the day before — baby steps,” she said. She emphasized the importance of “making incremental increases.”
Each of the trainers agreed that there is a need to work out consistently.
Mark Sainz, a fitness trainer at Malibu Health and Rehabilitation, said that his number one tip to get in shape is to “start small — make it easy and be consistent.” “If you’re not feeling it that day, go home,” Sainz said. “Don’t beat yourself up. If you’re fatigued, go home and rest. Come back when you’re feeling good. If you’re not working out in the gym then focus on your food because when people want to get in shape, it’s about [a combination of] food and exercise. If you [just] want to lose weight, it’s mostly about food. “
A healthy diet is a major factor in weight loss and fitness. Malibu resident Nilo Falamaki owns Goji Juice and Vitamins — a health food store in Santa Monica. He explained that what we eat makes a big difference in maintaining and changing our health.
“Every day we have choices, and every thing we put in our mouths is a choice.”