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Exercise, nutrition important in winter
Church, YMCA offer programs to stay fit, trim
By: Glen Reese
Winter is typically a time when people slack off on exercise and gorge themselves on food during the holiday season.
Exercise experts advise people to begin taking steps now to stay fit and trim during the cold months.
Dave Foster, wellness director at the Recreation Outreach Center at First Baptist Raytown, said there was not a better time of the year to stay healthy.
“There's three components to fitness,” Foster said. “That's weightlifting, cardiovascular exercises and nutrition. A lot of people put the first two in, but they forget about nutrition. That's just as important. It's a three-pronged attack.”
The center features eight treadmills, six elliptical machines, four recumbent bikes and weight equipment. The walking track at the center is free to anyone. The trainers will do an assessment and build people their own personalized workout program.
“Our facility is not the largest,” Foster said. “But we have top of the line equipment. We were the first in Kansas City to bring in Technogym equipment.”
The Raytown YMCA put in new, state-of-the-art equipment at the first of the year.
“We always have programs going on,” health and wellness director Chris Bessmer said. “There's something for everyone. We have financial assistance, so we can take anybody. We'll make it work.”
The YMCA has a myriad of programs including more than 45 exercise classes, personal training, home school physical education for kids, adult and kids classes at night, a weight-loss program and different pool activities.
“Our business really picks up after New Year,” Bessmer said. “It's a misconception that you can pack all that food in and wait until your New Year's resolution to go on a diet. We try to get people back every 90 days for a health assessment to make sure they're showing progress.”
Staying active is important.
“Get out and walk outdoors, or go to a mall if it's too cold,” Bessmer said. “Any activity is going to help out. You don't have to work out as hard as you can to feel you've gotten a good workout. It could be parking at the farthest point in the parking lot, or taking stairs instead of the elevator.”
Nutrition is important during the holiday season and moderation is the key.
“There's nothing wrong with having a piece of pumpkin pie,” Foster said. “Just don't eat the whole pie. It's not wrong to have some turkey and dressing. Just remember moderation and think about what you're doing. Take a little walk after the meal to keep your blood circulating.”
Use a smaller kids plate to eat off of, Bessmer said. That way you'll still feel like you got a full plate of food. He recommended five or six small meals during the day instead of fewer big ones.
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” Bessmer said. “You want energy to go on throughout the day. Then eat lunch and dinner with a small snack in-between. And you don't want to eat later than 8 at night. You don't want a full stomach when you go to bed.”
Staff writer Glen Reese can be reached at 358-6307 or greese@npgco.com.
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Exercise experts advise people to begin taking steps now to stay fit and trim during the cold months.
Dave Foster, wellness director at the Recreation Outreach Center at First Baptist Raytown, said there was not a better time of the year to stay healthy.
“There's three components to fitness,” Foster said. “That's weightlifting, cardiovascular exercises and nutrition. A lot of people put the first two in, but they forget about nutrition. That's just as important. It's a three-pronged attack.”
The center features eight treadmills, six elliptical machines, four recumbent bikes and weight equipment. The walking track at the center is free to anyone. The trainers will do an assessment and build people their own personalized workout program.
“Our facility is not the largest,” Foster said. “But we have top of the line equipment. We were the first in Kansas City to bring in Technogym equipment.”
The Raytown YMCA put in new, state-of-the-art equipment at the first of the year.
“We always have programs going on,” health and wellness director Chris Bessmer said. “There's something for everyone. We have financial assistance, so we can take anybody. We'll make it work.”
The YMCA has a myriad of programs including more than 45 exercise classes, personal training, home school physical education for kids, adult and kids classes at night, a weight-loss program and different pool activities.
“Our business really picks up after New Year,” Bessmer said. “It's a misconception that you can pack all that food in and wait until your New Year's resolution to go on a diet. We try to get people back every 90 days for a health assessment to make sure they're showing progress.”
Staying active is important.
“Get out and walk outdoors, or go to a mall if it's too cold,” Bessmer said. “Any activity is going to help out. You don't have to work out as hard as you can to feel you've gotten a good workout. It could be parking at the farthest point in the parking lot, or taking stairs instead of the elevator.”
Nutrition is important during the holiday season and moderation is the key.
“There's nothing wrong with having a piece of pumpkin pie,” Foster said. “Just don't eat the whole pie. It's not wrong to have some turkey and dressing. Just remember moderation and think about what you're doing. Take a little walk after the meal to keep your blood circulating.”
Use a smaller kids plate to eat off of, Bessmer said. That way you'll still feel like you got a full plate of food. He recommended five or six small meals during the day instead of fewer big ones.
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” Bessmer said. “You want energy to go on throughout the day. Then eat lunch and dinner with a small snack in-between. And you don't want to eat later than 8 at night. You don't want a full stomach when you go to bed.”
Staff writer Glen Reese can be reached at 358-6307 or greese@npgco.com.