The gear

Follow through on your resolution to get fit.

By Harry Kirsbaum

ou've made it through
Thanksgivukah, office holiday
parties and New Year's Eve.
You've made a New Year's
resolution to get in shape and
drop some weight (again),
and promised yourself that
you won't let your health club
membership lapse (again). So how do
you turn past failure into success?
According to local experts, the
answers are patience, diet and setting
realistic short- and long-term goals.
"People give up resolutions because
they don't lose the weight fast enough,"
said Sarah Kuretsky, wellness director
at Franklin Athletic Club in Southfield.
"They didn't gain the weight in a few
weeks; they shouldn't expect to lose it
in a few weeks. They give up because
they get bored; they're doing things
they don't love."
The most important thing to know is
to be kind to yourself, she said. "Maybe
in your 20s you ran, but now in your
50s your body has changed and needs
different things. Don't go at it crazy —
go at it slow and steady. If it's your first
time working out, you might not be
able to do an hour. So try 20 minutes."
Jordan Levin, owner of Crossfit
Bloomfield in Bloomfield Hills, said
diet is key. "I would start by looking at
their diet. Eat real food, no processed
food," he said. "Cut out the sugar and
processed food one step at a time?'
Michael Minielly, personal trainer at
the Jewish Community Center Fitness
Club in West Bloomfield, spoke of set-
ting unrealistic goals.
"A goal at the gym seems to have
a finish line on it: 'I want to lose 30
pounds;" he said. "What happens when
you do? Of course you need a goal, but
it needs to keep changing."
There's a fallacy that you have to
work too hard in the gym, he said. "If I
could, I'd stress to everyone that getting
on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day and
moving your arms is not a hard thing
to do," he said. "Strength training is not

26 January 2014

I RED THREAD

Franklin Athletic Club

something that should be thought of as
using heavy weights; it should be done
with moderate weights with a pace?'
There is no reason to be intimidated
by gyms.
"If you feel intimidated and don't
know what to do, hire a personal
trainer," Kuretsky said, "even if it's only

for a few sessions, just to give you a
few ideas on what to do. People aren't
paying attention to you; they are paying
attention to what they need?'
Minielly agreed. "I should be able to
give enough knowledge in four sessions
to help anyone out," he said. "My clients
come in and find their niche, going to

classes or getting on a treadmill. Suc-
cessful people come in here and find
their niche. The unsuccessful people
come in here — they don't talk to any-
one, don't ask any questions?'

QUANTITY AND QUALITY

When starting out a fitness routine,

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