S Santhana Simon

Chennai: It is New Year again and time to focus on resolutions – most likely the one that tops the list will be going to the gym and maintaining a healthy physique.

Even though the year changes, the resolution continues to be the same as most people are not able to keep their promise. A few gym owners in the city said just like the previous years, this year, too, more people have enrolled themselves to join the gym from January.

In a bid to help those who are going to take up the resolution, this year News Today speaks with Indian Hulk and two times world champion Rajendran Mani who makes a few suggestions to ensure that people keep their New Year resolution.

Create a plan
Rajendran says the first step in fulfilling the resolution is by creating a plan. “Prepare a chart and schedule your workout timings and write them down. Follow that plan and keep a record of everyday progress. Your schedule must also contain your diet plan which should be followed strictly.”

Eat healthy
The first and foremost thing to follow while going to the gym is to eat healthy food rich in nutrients. Half the progress is ensured in eating healthy food and the other half, is working outs. From the first day that you start gyming, you should stop eating junk food. Get your diet chart from your trainer and strictly adhere to it.

Don’t get stressed
Going to the gym is like doing meditation, it should get you relaxed and not stressed. If one gets stressed, it will affect their progress. As a beginner, work out with less weights and at first do cardio more like push ups, pull ups, dips, etc., and then go for weight training.

Progress always starts slowly
Going for 20 days to the gym and expecting results is not possible. Muscles are made up of tissues and fibres, so the progress takes time – wait to get results. Patience is a virtue and do not push yourself too hard in the initial days. It will strain your body. Enjoy the workouts instead of thinking about them as a burden.

Consistency
Consistency is more important in your daily workouts, you should be regular to the gym and not skip any workout. Plan your day so that you always give time for your gym workout. Even if you are not able to go to the gym on a particular day, make sure that you do stretching and basic exercises at home. Just like breathing and eating, working out should also become a habit.