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Healthy habits can start with the smallest of steps

Opinion

Written by Jesse Trimble

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 09:00

All right, it’s official. It’s 2010, and the new year has started to settle in for all of us. By now, many of us probably have stopped scratching out “2009” and writing “2010” on that electric-bill check.

With the new year, as always, come all kinds of changes — to our diets, our fitness and potentially our health insurance, to technology and even how we get our news.

At the beginning of the month, I officially started working out again. Whew! Now I expect my readers to hold me accountable. It’s been awhile since I’ve worked out with a purpose, as in going to a gym specifically to work out, instead of just shoveling snow (which I added to my workout a few weeks ago as well) or “cleaning my house.” I decided to hit the gym for a variety of reasons, but most importantly, in order to feel healthy again.

When I was a student at the University of Kansas, I spent my first three years there working part time at the student-run recreation and fitness facility on campus. I worked my way up the ladder, starting out as a towel washer and greeter to become a manager, supervising the entire facility, employees and participants. While there, I was shocked to discover that it was sort of a dating cesspool: College students would file in at all times of the day or night to get in a workout, but also to find a potential dating partner.

Of course, one probably can attribute that to the college atmosphere. But I also noticed how many students were really dedicated to staying healthy and fit. This shocked me, because I came from a town where no one really considered working out a must; it was something the football team or the wrestling team did, but no one else. Most of the students at KU came from high schools just like mine and still had the drive to get in a workout three or four days a week for an hour or more a day. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor and get up the nerve to work out myself — and since I’d never done it before, I was terrified. Plus, I worked at a recreation facility; it didn’t seem like I was doing my job justice if I didn’t participate.

Upon my arrival in Louisburg, I wasn’t too concerned about working out since it had been so long. I’d been preoccupied with finding a job after graduation and hadn’t focused on much else. But one day while just driving around, I spotted the Louisburg Athletic Club. Several things drew me in at once. First was the overall look of the facility: up-to-date, clean and inviting. Also, the promotions: signs for tanning, massage therapy and cardio machines. Best of all, the club was right down the street from me.

Working out is really a whole new world for the inexperienced. I had close friends at the KU rec center, and many were very healthy and knew their stuff, so I consulted them for help. For me, the perfect workout consists of a balance of cardiovascular training and lifting weights. It was stressed to me that although it seems like you may be doing your body a lot of good by running or walking alone, lifting really tones and works out your muscles to their full capacity. And since I’m definitely not comfortable with free-weights just yet, I stick to the pre-set weights, or weights on machines that can be set to whatever weight you think your body can handle. With weights, I’d try to hit main areas: arms, legs, abs and back muscles.

I wouldn’t say I’m “hooked” on working out again just yet. But I’m getting there with the help of the Louisburg Athletic Club’s friendly and accommodating staff. I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to visiting the club a few times every week with water bottle and good music in hand, and feeling healthier by the day.

For those of you out there a bit fearful about working out for the first time or of picking it up again, don’t worry: I’m right there with you.

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