January 1, 2016
By Michelle Conerly
With a fresh outlook and New Year goals in mind, many people consider health and wellness to be at the top of their resolutions list.
But many don’t know where to start.
The key to health and wellness, according to a few local experts, is a balance between body, mind, and spirit.
Jason Roman, head coach and owner of Crossfit Latte Stone, said some people are hesitant to join a Crossfit gym, but at Crossfit Latte Stone, they offer a couple of programs that work for seasoned vets and beginners.
“Some people think they have to train before they can begin doing Crossfit,” he said. “The reality is in Crossfit the workout can be hard or easy. It depends on you and on how much work you put into it. You just have to remember it’s you against you and you against the clock.”
Roman also said consistency is key to gaining confidence in your abilities and fitness and also progressing toward your goals.
“If a person is consistent, they are more than likely to reach their fitness goals,” Roman said.
Aurielle Gardiner, general manager of International Sport Center, said the biggest hurdle to overcome is the mental aspect.
“Start with being mentally prepared and focus on the goal,” Gardiner said. “Start small, and ditch the excuses.”
At ISC, they offer a variety of classes like TRX, cycling, and yoga so there’s something for everyone looking to start fresh in the New Year.
“Living a healthy lifestyle promotes overall health from preventing chronic diseases, maintaining/losing weight, reducing stress, & much more,” Gardiner said.
Caleb Barretto, director of programming and vice president of operations at UNIFIED, said achieving good health and wellness starts with improving your quality of life.
“We use fitness as a tool to do that,” Barretto said. “For beginners, the focus should be getting comfortable with the proper movements. If it’s a physically tasking workout, and you’re not having fun, then it becomes a chore.”
Barretto said the goal at UNIFIED is to help people achieve functional fitness, meaning strengthening the motions and movements that will help you live a longer and happier life.
“A six pack of abs doesn’t let you play with kids a lot longer or go on a hike,” Barretto said. “You want to be able to move on the go, and functional fitness can prepare you for these life experiences.”
Clare Calvo, owner and instructor at Synergy Studio, follows a similar philosophy when it comes to the yoga classes she teaches.
Calvos says yoga helps people both externally and internally, and although losing weight is a byproduct of some of the yoga positions and movements, the ultimate goal is to achieve peace of mind and spirit.
“Diet and exercise can only take you so far,” she said. “If your mind is not in alignment with the physical, it could lead to health issues.”
Other health benefits of yoga are lowering blood pressure and depending on the positions, it could aid in digestion.
For those looking to try yoga, Calvo said to research what type of yoga you find interesting and look for beginners or “gentle” yoga classes. She also encourages those wanting to delve into the world of yoga to consider it as a lifestyle change because it “takes care of the person holistically.”
But your food intake can’t be ignored, said Rosae Calvo, registered dietician for Pay-Less Supermarkets.
Many people can exercise for hours, but unless they are eating the proper balance of food groups, weight loss and overall health and wellness cannot reach its full potential.
Rosae Calvo suggests an equal amount of four of the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and starchy vegetables, and having a side of dairy—which coincides with the MyPlate program created by the United States Department of Agriculture. Instead of the Food Pyramid, MyPlate helps people visualize what they’re eating, and cut back where needed.
Other tips offered by Rosae Calvo include reading the labels of canned foods to check for added sodium, and if you’re looking to try a new diet plan, make sure it’s one that will work for your body and budget.
Ultimately, achieving health and wellness also incorporates having a community of friends, family, and positive people surrounding you, said Barretto.
“It’s really important for someone to find a community they enjoy,” Barretto said. “When you come into a studio-based fitness center, what motivates you is the people that you surround yourself with. Having someone feel the same thing you’re feeling and going through the same thing helps you through the bad stuff and proceed onto accomplishing new goals.”
International Sports Center
671-477-9885
iscguam671@gmail.com
Crossfit Latte Stone
671-633-2357
crossfitlattestone.com
UNIFIED
671-969-8641
social@unifiedguam.com
Synergy Studio
671-472-7674/9642
synergyguam.com
Pay-Less Supermarkets
671-477–7006 / 472–8346 (Agana)
paylessmarkets.com/kick-the-fat-5k-2016
