Page 28 - Real Style April 2018

HeAlTH & FiTneSS With Michelle Roots
CEO, OwNEr AND hEAD TrAINEr wITh COrE CONDITIONINg BAsED IN sUrrEy, B.C., MIChELLE rOOTs ANswErs yOUr fITNEss AND hEALTh qUEsTIONs.
Real Style: What is your advice for those looking to start a fitness program?
Michelle Roots: start slow and strive for
progress not perfection! i often see people
starting a fitness routine and trying to get to
the gym seven days a week, which is very
tough, overwhelming and tough to stick to
long term. i always recommend making it a lifestyle changechange, meaning find a way
to fit healthy eating and fitness into your
lifestyle so that you don’t feel like you are
giving up anything to get your workouts in. Be
in it for the long haul, not just 30 days, and don’t expect immediate results. Consistency over time is key to seeing results with a fitness and clean eating regimen. Lastly, find something you enjoy to help with consistency. Try a group fitness class, hire a personal trainer (online or in-person) to help get you started in the right direction, find a workout buddy or begin playing a sport. if you enjoy your workouts, you will be much more likely to stick to them in the long term!
RS: What are your tips and tricks for living healthy, lean and fit?
MR: Make it a lifestyle change! incorporate movement into your lifestyle each day and learn to love how you feel after eating healthy. Find a healthy balance between workouts, eating healthy, and relaxing and enjoying some yummy food too! no one wants to live feeling restricted or that they have to be at the gym for two hours a day, seven
days a week. the key to long-term success is making it a lifestyle, meaning finding a workout you enjoy (group fitness classes, strength training, boxing, CrossFit, etc.) to attend two to three days per week. Go for walks on your lunch break, take family hikes on the weekend with your family,
eat healthy five to six days per week and then enjoy all the good food the world has to offer (in moderation) the rest of the time. health should not be stressful or a game of counting every single thing you put in your body or every step you take. Just do what you can and move your body as much as you can.
MR: wow, if you ask any of my clients, i am constantly saying “this is my favourite exercise,” meaning i have Many favourite exercises. if
i had to pick my favourite form of exercise i would choose strength training. there is nothing like the feeling of throwing some heavy weights around and really pushing your body to its limits.
28 Real Style April 2018
RS: What’s your personal favourite exercise?
photos, left: brett AlexAnder, riGht: istoCk