Tips To Stay Fit From The Montclair YMCA

The following article was written by Health and Wellness Director of the YMCA of Montclair Washima Solomon.

The importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is hard to overestimate. It affects everything we do – either positively or negatively. So here are a few simply tips to keep in mind that will help promote a healthy lifestyle. 

Get mental: Losing weight and adapting a healthy lifestyle is extremely challenging, especially if you have eaten a certain way for years or if you are new to exercising. 

The key is to start off slow and make realistic short term goals. Don’t compare yourself to others and their accomplishments. Your weight loss journey is just that: Your journey! So, do what you can and pace yourself. 

Remember, every milestone is a milestone, so relish in it and move forward!

Watch your diet, but don’t diet: Getting fit and eating healthy is truly a lifestyle change. There is no magic pill or diet that will help you lose weight and keep it off. They are all temporary fixes. 

You have to make up in your mind that this journey towards a healthier you is a commitment to yourself.  

Get ACTIVE: Make a commitment to work out or complete some form of physical activity for 60 minutes or more most days of the week.

Try to make sure your workout consists if at least 20 minutes of cardiovascular activity; 20 minutes of strength training; and 10 to 15 minutes of stretching or flexibility training. 

Try to take a group exercise class, such as kickboxing, step eerobics, boot camp, pilates, yoga, Zumba, and many more are all offered throughout the week at the YMCA of Montclair! 

If your workout time is limited, try to split it up throughout the day and perform mini workouts that add up to 60 minutes or more.

Be patient: Remember that you didn’t gain the extra weight overnight so give yourself adequate time to lose it. 

Know your limitations and boundaries, but don’t be afraid to push past them.  Encourage yourself, but also form a support group of friends and family that will encourage you as well and keep you motivated throughout your journey. 

Best wishes to you all in your journey towards a healthier you!

YMCA Workout Schedule

Click here for the group exercise schedule at the YMCA of Montclair, located at 25 Park St. The YMCA is open Mondays through Friday between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. 

The pool schedules can be found by clicking here. 

The Geyer Family YMCA, located at 159 Glenridge Ave., is open Mondays through Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Fridays between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.