Set it: New year, new wellness journey
Published:Wednesday | January 3, 2024 | 12:09 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
When it comes to health and fitness, it is said that if the practice doesn’t challenge you, then it doesn’t change you. For many, the new year gives a chance to start fresh in the wellness department. While for others, it is an opportunity to pick up where they left off in the previous year. We asked a few fitness professionals and enthusiasts what their fitness goals were for 2024, and here’s what they had to say.
Denecia Green usually engages in unconventional modes of fitness, focusing mainly on pole and dance workouts. For this year, she is looking to kick things up a notch by giving herself a fitness goal to accomplish. “This will actually be my first year of actually setting a fitness goal. Usually I set goals based on my desire to look good for an event, like for carnival or the soca season, and after that, I fall off the wagon. But this year, I told myself that I want this to be a lifestyle. After all, I am getting older and I do want to remain healthy,” she told Lifestyle.
In her attempt to cut out certain foods last year, Green found the habit to be too burdensome for comfort. So her aim this time around is to consume in moderation, “I am taking the approach of trying to have at least three balanced meals daily while increasing my water intake.”
Additionally, it is her hope to bring that balance to exercise as well. “I am setting a goal of being active for at least 30 minutes, two times weekly, whether it is walking or working out at home. This is, of course, in addition to my usual activities which include dancing and pole fitness.”
William Greenwood is a firm believer of setting fitness goals, not just for the new year, but throughout the year as well. “We should be pushing ourselves to do that a little bit more each week or month, and make small steps towards our ultimate goals.”
His first order of business would be stepping up his push-up and sit-up routines in the morning. “I used to do 300 reps of each, then I pushed for 400 of each, and now I do 500 of each. I don’t stop until I reach ‘Nanny’, or my ‘5 Bills’.”
Greenwood’s goal last year was to lose weight and get slim. After hitting his ideal weight in October, his aim was to put on some muscles. “I don’t wanna be a bodybuilder, just enough muscle to look ‘fit’. My main goal for this year is to carry a six-pack by a specific date in 2024. And I’m not talking about Red Stripe or Heineken.” His body goals are based on Georges St Pierre, who is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion.
Hula hoop specialist Melissa Bloomfield is all for fitness goals since they are great motivational tools to stay active and healthy. “Whether it’s aiming to run a certain distance, lift a certain weight, or simply be more consistent with your workouts, having specific goals can give you something to strive for and track your progress,” she shared.
For this year, Bloomfield will be continuing her hula hooping endeavours. “Hula hooping is a fun and effective way to work on core strength, balance, and coordination. Plus, it’s a great way to add some variety to my fitness routine. I’m definitely open to trying something new in the health and fitness department. Whether it’s taking up a new sport, trying a different style of workout, or exploring a new form of mindfulness practice, there are always opportunities to expand and enhance our health and fitness habits. It’s important to keep things fresh and exciting to stay motivated and engaged with our wellness journey.”
As for fitness goals this year, Janine Hyatt is planning to jump back on her abdominal and squat challenges, along with engaging in 30-minute workout sessions three days per week. “I achieved significant success in my fitness goals in the last quarter of 2023. So now I am aiming to keep up my movement, eat differently, consuming less meat and more vegetables, as well as increasing my water intake,” she said. Committing to a total of three to six gym pop-ups per month along with taking her walks at least three times for the month, Hyatt says dancing is also a must-do activity.