This is the time of year when many of us make resolutions to live our healthiest lives — including fitness trainers. We asked eight trainers over 40 to share their fitness goals. Whether you are just starting out, trying to get back on track, or want to take it to the next level, we think they will inspire you to get your year off to a strong start.
Elyssa Sardy
Age: 41
Gym/Location: Private instructor, Detroit
Goal: Mental and physical health are both important to me, so my goal is to create more “me” time in 2019. I want to spend more time meditating and moving my body. I believe in setting a lot of small goals to build up to your ultimate big goal, so I intend to start by carving out just a few minutes each day to practice giving back to myself so that I can give to others.
>READ: THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION
Kristen Hawkinson
Age: 44
Location: Private instructor, Dallas
Goal: It is always my goal to do something active every day. Getting to a yoga class is the hardest thing for me to work into my schedule, so I am setting a goal of getting to at least one per week. From strength training to walking, to yoga, moving your body, and staying active is so important to overall health and well-being, especially as we get older.
>READ: STUDIES FIND THAT YOGA HELPS DEPRESSION: SAY OM
Cynthia Czarnecki
Age: 45
Gym/Location: Muscle Mechanics, West Hollywood, California
Goal: I want to feel strong and have more lean muscle as I age. Consistency is key, so training on a regular basis, plus fueling my body in a balanced way, and getting enough rest and downtime when I need it are also goals.
>READ: BRAIN POWER: THE BENEFITS OF OXYGEN AND SLEEP
Stephanie Christie
Age: 46
Gym/Location: Moxie, Orange Beach, Alabama
Goal: I want to face life’s challenges as the best version of myself and focus on my overall health (inner and outer) while maintaining a graceful approach to aging and mental fitness. I will continue to build strength and stamina with indoor cycling, TRX, and barre, adding more Pilates for flexibility and daily meditation for mental fitness. I will also keep my nutrition simple, avoiding sugar, flour, and gluten, and fasting intermittently.
>READ: BENEFITS OF INTERMITTENT FASTING FOR WOMEN
Claudia Conley
Age: 47
Gym/Location: C2FitnessandNutrition, San Antonio, Texas
Goal: To dedicate more time to my yoga practice. I love the intensity of strength training, and I really love sprints and uphill running, but my body needs yoga and stretching to balance all that sprinting. I am extremely excited about starting the new year with a certification in yoga for PTSD and TBI (traumatic brain injury) survivors.
>READ: STRETCH! 5 YOGA POSES TO EASE BACK PAIN
Barbara Queen
Age: 51
Gym/Location: Grip Fitness, Chicago
Goal: For 2019, I want to work on my upper body and balance upper- and lower-body strength. Believe it or not, body-weight exercises are the most challenging. I intend to do more pullup and pushup variations, combined with heavier free-weight loads to get the job done.
Sarah-Jane Hill
Age: 51
Gym/Location: KrankFit, Nashville, Tennessee
Goal: My goal is to make it outside at least once a week. I’ve also become a big fan of doing a Tabata workout with a jump rope, so I intend to continue to incorporate that into my routine. I enjoy hiking, so that makes it easier for me to achieve the “get outside” goals. I also plan to take a jump rope with me on my hikes for a quick cardio boost.
Hilary Rifkin
Age: 54
Gym/Location: Lifetime Athletic Club, Westchester, New York
Goal: My short-term goal is to enter a figure competition. My long-term goal is to get my yoga certification. For the fitness competition, I am working with a trainer and nutritionist to fine-tune my body composition, and then I’ll work with a posing coach and get that awful tan! As for yoga, through LifeTime I have the opportunity to become certified in some of its signature yoga fusion classes.
Photos: Courtesy of the trainers
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