Healthy, Active Living

BY JENNY DRENNEN, FITNESS MANAGER, TWIN MILLS CLUB AT TRILOGY® LAKE NORMAN

I believe fitness provides us with the ability to enjoy healthy active lifestyles. Over the last 20 years, I enjoyed encouraging others to reach their true potential, while providing the highest level of service and safety to those adopting a lifestyle of physical well-being. As a passionate personal trainer, my ambition is to motivate, enable, and make training fun and rewarding, as clients explore new, creative avenues to reach goals not thought possible, and build strong, healthy bodies.

Fitness is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, it comes in many different forms to create routines that fit your needs. Make your fitness work for you, wherever you are, on your personal fitness journey.

LET’S FACE IT, DOING THE SAME ROUTINE REPEATEDLY GETS BORING QUICKLY. STAY MOTIVATED WITH THESE TIPS:

MAKE A PLAN AND SET REALISTIC GOALS | Create a plan that includes small steps toward your goals. You can always change your plan to meet the progress made.

START WHERE YOU ARE | Use the resources you have, and do what you can, whatever it is. If it is five minutes, then do five minutes. You know your body better than anyone else, so start small and increase when you are ready.

TURN YOUR ROUTINE INTO A HABIT | Schedule your workout on your calendar, like an appointment. You are more likely to stick to a fitness routine if you create time in your schedule.

MAKE IT FUN | Exercise should be fun and something we enjoy doing. Devote time to trying a new activity each month, by the end of the year you will have 12. Dance to your favorite music, clear out a space, or change the scenery by walking a different trail.

GET FIT TOGETHER | Group classes are a great way to meet like-minded people and workout buddies to help keep you accountable. Join a local group such as cycling or walking to maintain momentum.

BE CREATIVE | Opportunities are endless and right at our fingertips. Scroll through YouTube videos or enroll in those classes you’ve been thinking about trying. Pinterest has fitness challenges for all levels; the local park has acres of outdoor space to explore; and local lakes may have water sports you’ve always wanted to try. Technology has made it easier than ever to get in shape.

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS | Most of us focus on what we need to do instead of how far we have come. Smart watches and phones have made it a snap to track your daily workout, food intake, and progress.

WHETHER YOU ARE JUST STARTING YOUR FITNESS JOURNE Y OR YOU ARE A SEASONED GYM GOER, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT INVESTING IN YOUR FITNESS AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING IS IMPORTANT.