OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — New Year's Day starts a new calendar, and with it come resolutions focused on improved health and fitness.
Local gym leaders say 2021 should come with patience, as everyone emerges from a difficult 2020.
"I think starting small in any type of exercise or healthy way of life regimens starting small is always going to get you the best results long term," said. Lifetime Fitness general manager Greg Gilbertsen. "You always hear about people, giving up on their fitness goals too early. And that could be because they take on too much to your point, so starting small is definitely what we encourage getting involved in some nutritional programs as well as small types of exercise."
Gilbertson manages the location in Overland Park and had more advice for anyone with a new fitness goal.
"I think the first thing is to go easy on themselves and start with mental wellness, so getting aligned with where you're ready to be mentally coming into a healthy way of life," he said. "Now what I would say for people that are just tired is don't give up, any goal is a great goal to have when it comes to health and wellness especially coming out of a year like 2020, reprioritize your health for those pre-existing conditions."
Lifetime, like every most gyms, has strict health protocols in place. That includes contactless screenings upon entry, socially distanced exercise rooms and rigorous cleaning.
"Don't overhaul your whole health lifestyle, again start small," Gilbertsen said. "Think big, don't be afraid to have big goals, stay away from the scale it's not about weight numbers or anything like that it's about how you feel, and then start with nutrition. What are you eating? Do you have enough vitamin D, are you taking care of your body in the best way that you possibly can to set your overall health up, and then what we're talking about right now immune systems and immunity going into 2021. So are you setting your body up for any type of illness or anything that may come your way?"
