When Darrel Scott decided to quit smoking last September, he knew motivation was the key to his success. So the 26-year-old Fort Frances resident took up power lifting–and he hasn’t looked back since.
In fact, his new-found passion for the intense fitness routine, which he’s learning from local weightlifter Rev. Dean Patrow, has left Scott a healthy 15 pounds lighter, drinking more water, cleaner lungs, and considering the competition level of the sport.
“I feel a lot better,” enthused Scott, who heads to the gym at the Sportsplex four times a week. “I used to smoke a pack-and-a-half to two packs a day so if I can [quit], anyone can.”
A recent burst of training, combined with a focus on future goals, also has helped him keep on track.
“I was benching [pressing] 225 pounds but in the last four weeks, I’m up to 270 pounds– that’s quite a gain,” he said. “By spring, I want to bench 300 pounds and squat 550 pounds.”
Even if that New Year’s resolution you made to get fit is still sitting on the shelf after 12 days, fear not–the road to good health is always ahead with a number of avenues of local instruction, training, and support to get you on the right track.
For women who want to trim and tone those arm and thigh muscles, weight training isn’t out of the question, urged Megan Reid, a physical education intern who teaches a six-week course in strength training at the Sportsplex.
“Strength training enhances health in all muscles of the body,” said Reid, who discounted the myth that lifting weights leaves women with bulging biceps.
“Women don’t want to look big–they don’t want big, hulky muscles and that’s not my [course]. I use less weights and increased repetitions,” she noted, stressing the importance of combining strength training with healthy eating habits and regular cardio-vascular exercise.
“Aquafit” classes also can provide additional toning benefits, and are among the Sportsplex’s most popular exercise programs, instructor Jill Coran said.
An “aquatherapy” class also is in the works there, which will offer improved strength and flexibility for anyone who suffers from joint or muscle problems, like MS or arthritis.
Coran noted women were her number-one client for water exercise classes, with the age range spanning from the 20s into the senior years. In the last five years, more and more younger women have been taking up aquatics as word spreads of its good workout benefits.
“One of the biggest benefits is losing inches, tightening up, toning up, and gaining muscle. And flexibility [and] overall range of motion improve big time,” Coran said.
“My ladies have this really good feeling about themselves when they leave,” she added.
< *c>Self-image key
Healthy self-image is a key to establishing a fit lifestyle that lasts long-term, suggested Ruth Brockie, leader of the local “Weight Watchers” program. “Weight Watchers,” along with the “Taking Off Pounds Sensibly” (T.O.P.S.) program, promote an environment of group support where positive self-image is strongly encouraged.
“From my experiences, a lot of people think that they can just change their eating habits–eat less, lose more–but as you know, you have to start feeling better about yourself and treat yourself [first],” Brockie stressed.
“It’s important to internalize that increased self concept and make it a part of your life,” she said.
“It’s a lot easier to do anything with other people [involved],” agreed T.O.P.S. member Cathy Robinson.
It’s small steps towards a healthy lifestyle that will keep people on the road to long-term success, echoed Lori Ball, a registered nurse with the Northwestern Health Unit here.
“Small steps, not big goals. Just change one thing in the day, like waiting 30 minutes in the morning before you have a cigarette,” she suggested.
“Yes, people know they shouldn’t smoke or they should lose weight, but they shouldn’t quit cold turkey,” she urged. “A positive goal is just small steps over time.
Low-impact exercise programs also are available here through local instructor Darlene Nugent at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
And nutritional counselling, by doctor‘s referral, also is available through La Verendrye hospital.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
