FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS WITH THE YMCA OF GREATER TORONTO
The Y offers 14-day “Try the Y” passes, new TotalFit class and tips for setting and sticking to your goals
TORONTO, December 23, 2019 – The end of the year marks New Year’s resolution season, with many of us setting goals for the year ahead. To help kick off 2020 with motivation and inspiration, the YMCA of Greater Toronto will offer free 14-day “Try the Y” passes. Passes will provide access to its health and fitness facilities across the GTA, including group fitness classes like a new class called TotalFit. “Try the Y” passes can be accessed at ymcagta.org/newyear.
TotalFit is a 45-minute, high intensity total body workout combining 15 minutes of cardio, 15 minutes of total body strength and 15 minutes of core exercises. In January, the new class will be available at all nine YMCA Centres of Community in the GTA, joining a broad range of health and fitness programming the entire family can participate in at the Y. Class details can be found at https://ymcagta.org/health-and-fitness/group-fitness-classes
“This class is a great New Year’s Resolution booster because it’s efficient – covering a broad range of exercises in under an hour – and keeps you committed and motivated because you’re working out with a group,” said Sherry Perez, Health & Fitness Expert and Manager, Program Development - Group Fitness, YMCA of Greater Toronto. “Plus, when you’re at the Y, you Sweat for Good so it’s a win-win!”
The Y offers a wide range of programs and services to help maintain your overall well-being – physical, mental, and social – including group fitness classes, drop-in basketball, personal training, swimming, yoga and more.
“Setting and maintaining New Year’s resolutions can be tough and sometimes leads to added stress or anxiety later on in the year if you’re putting too much pressure on yourself,” said Sherry Perez, health and fitness expert and Manager, Program Development - Group Fitness, YMCA of Greater Toronto. “So it’s important to be realistic at the start of the year and not set strict expectations for yourself – be positive and have fun with it.”
To help set and maintain health and fitness New Year’s resolutions, the Y shares Perez’s expert tips:
- Set realistic resolutions: Make a plan that will be easy to stick to and identify barriers that are keeping you from achieving your fitness and health goals. Then try and change one at a time because small successes quickly build into large success. Challenge yourself but set a goal you know you can actually achieve with a healthy dose of dedication!
- Find your fitness fit: Don’t force yourself into a kind of exercise you just don’t enjoy. There are so many options when it comes to fitness activities, exercises and classes, so choose one that you enjoy, are interested in and fits your lifestyle! This is the best way to keep you engaged and motivated year round. Not sure what you’ll enjoy? A great option is the Y’s new TotalFit group fitness class, which has something for everyone – it’s only 45 minutes, which is easy to squeeze into any busy schedule, and includes cardio, total body strength and core exercises so you get a bit of everything!
- Find balance: Both in and out of the gym, balance should be a key ingredient to your New Year’s resolutions. For a well-balanced workout, ensure you’re incorporating strength training, cardio and core strengthening work. Outside of the gym, find balance in your eating habits by packing snacks and lunches ahead of time to avoid ‘quick and easy’ temptations on the go.
- Don’t go it alone: Find an accountability partner to exercise with! Get your bestie, partner, mom, or co-worker to sweat it out with you or opt for a group fitness class, like TotalFit, where you can meet and stay motivated with other people. It’s also a great way to stay accountable – when someone else is expecting you to show up, you’ll more than likely come through! Those who exercise as part of a team are more likely to stick to their goals in the long run.
- Make sleep a priority: Your willpower plummets when you’re sleep-deprived and cranky. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night, because if you’re running on fumes all day, chances are you’ll be tempted to skip your workout.
- Stay positive and remind yourself “I can”: If you find yourself saying “I can’t” by mid-January, it’s time to acknowledge the struggle so you can get on the path to “I can.” The next time you catch yourself thinking (or saying) “I can’t,” stop, take a breath, and make a conscious effort to do something, no matter how small, that will give you that satisfying feeling of being one step closer to your big goals.
For further information or to arrange interviews, contact:
Jessica Walcot
walcot@veritasinc.com
416-482-2154
