Local PT and personal security expert, Andrew Saipe, offers advice to keep us motivated in accomplishing goals for the new year and discusses the health benefits of regular physical activity.
Whether it’s to shed off some extra weight after an over-indulgent festive season or jump into a new health regime for the very first time, most new year’s resolutions centre on a regular but daunting physical exercise routine to help accomplish those 2023 goals.
Having taught martial arts for over 35 years and competed internationally at the Maccabiah Games in the 1990s, PT and Self- Defence Tutor, Andrew Saipe, knows a thing or two about setting up fitness goals which can be followed all year round.
“No one can deny the benefits of eating well and regular exercise, but those who have never exercised before can often set unreasonable expectations for quickly increasing their fitness,” explained Andy. “But if done in smaller chunks to begin with, sticking to a new fitness routine is always manageable.
“The general recommendation is to get in around 2.5 hours of regular exercise a week, but this doesn’t have to be anything strenuous. The key is in the consistency and setting smaller achievable goals – especially if you’ve never done it before.
“Most people don’t naturally wake in the morning feeling eager to work out first thing. But setting a time and a day down to exercise, such as three days a week at 8am, helps set you up for a regime.
“You don’t even have to start with a personal trainer but can still take a few minutes to perform some basic exercises every few days at home. Once this becomes a regular habit, it becomes easier to manage as a routine part of your day which can also be enjoyed.”
As a clinical practitioner in rehabilitation introducing physical activity for people with neurological conditions including Parkinson’s, Andy also emphasised how the lasting benefits of a comfortable exercise routine can motivate anyone in all stages of life: “It doesn’t matter how old you are or what condition you’re in – it’s fully recognised that the release of endorphins from regular exercise has enormous mental health benefits. Setting those goals for yourself is the first step to connect to this understanding.
“You can never underestimate what mental health and anxiety challenges lead to. There’s a growing number of under 16-year-olds who are seeking out boxing or martial arts training as an outlet to help them focus and deal with stress and anxiety.
These sorts of sessions are not only fun for participants but can create an environment to share things with a personal trainer which they wouldn’t otherwise talk about with friends or family.”
The steps to set yourself up on a new health regime, Andy insists, are just as easy as what’s needed to keep up your motivation once getting started, even when tempted to take a day off: “It’s easy
for me to see when a client is simply having a bad day which can negatively affect how they train.
“But no matter what is going on in your life that might be getting you down, the fact you still want to carry on reminds you of all the reasons why you wanted to train and get fitter. You’re already set to achieve those goals simply by showing up in the first place.”
Asdt.co.uk