Everyone knows eating healthy and exercising is the key to shedding weight and living a long life, but figuring out how to actually start can be confusing, maddening and downright scary.
Whether you have a library’s worth of diet books gathering dust, or the thought of going to a gym makes you a nervous wreck, knowing how get into shape and eat well is not an easy endeavour.
The ‘Shed It’ program at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre aims to help beginners tackle the fear on those two fronts.
“What makes this program different from others available is that we address both exercise and nutrition,” said Jo-Anne Paulgaard, one of their program’s instructors.
She explained that while it is possible to lose weight without exercising, muscle is much more metabolically active during a workout, meaning it will burn calories for you.
“Exercise alone will not get you the results you want because there is no amount of exercise in the world that will make up for a poor diet, so they must go together. It’s like a one-two punch, and a rather effective one.”
The program is set to a gradual pace in order to ease participants into a fitness routine and build up their confidence so they can enter any class or gym without fear.
On the nutrition side, Paulgaard said what the program aims to impart is that there are no diets, magic pills, drinks, herbs, or quick fixes that will give you lasting results – unless you want those things to be a permanent part of your life.
“Shed It is about finding your permanent balance and what works for your body to get results that are lasting for you.”
The program includes three, 60-minute classes per week; one nutrition based and two movement based. The movement-based classes will consist of both theory and a progressive amount of exercise.
After participants gain some basic muscle control and strength improvements they will be given the opportunity to try a variety of different activities to find what they enjoy.
Some tentative activities will include walking, Nordic walking, Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, and Barre to name a few.
If a person does not want or cannot participate in a specific aspect due to whatever reason, alternatives will be offered. Classes are intended to not just be physical but supportive and educational as well.
Paulgaard said one of the biggest problems with sticking to exercise programs is that they can be too difficult.
“Most beginner programs are not really intended for true beginners and many overweight or unfit participants just cannot keep up the pace for long and end up quitting or getting injured and leave feeling even more defeated.”
She said that’s why the program is based on empowerment, not just exercise. She added it’s designed like a support group and will be tailored towards individuals.
Shed It will be running at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre from Sept. 21 to Dec. 2, with morning and evening options.
One session will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. while the other option is Mondays, 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. SLS Centre members can take part in this program for $150 while non-members will pay $200.
Registration deadline is Sept. 16. Contact Bogi Gyorfi at 403-932-1635 ext. 61 or Jo-Anne Paulgaard at 587-215-7994 for more information.
Go go to slssportscentre.com to register online today.
