Local News
New year spurs resolve to get in shape
Marc Valero | Highlands Today
Published: January 4, 2013
SEBRING - The chimes of holiday bells has given way to the clanking of weights and the whirring sound of exercise bikes and treadmills for many who seek to start the New Year with a goal of losing weight and getting in better shape.Published: January 4, 2013
Instead of Christmas tunes, folks are now listening to up-tempo music with a beat at local gyms to keep that fitness drive alive.
Instead of an eggnog, you're egged on to complete one more rep or to keep up the pace of an exercise routine.
"Keep your elbows tucked in," Tommy Brandt instructed his 11-year-old son, Tommy Brandt, II, who was using a pec-deck machine and working out for his first time at the Highlands County Family YMCA.
Brandt, who is an inspirational county singer/musician, said usually his only exercise is loading and unloading band equipment, but he is trying to stay in a little better shape until he goes out on the road again in a month.
Robin Michaud performed concentration curls, tricep kickbacks, lunges with dumbbells and other exercises at the YMCA.
She started working out five to six times a week about eight months ago to alleviate her back pain.
"I started out with the doctor," she said. "I had an epidural, but the pain came right back."
A physical therapist instructed her on an exercise routine.
"I have practically no back problems for the first time in years," Maxcy said. "So that's what got me hooked on going to the gym. So now that my back is better I can work on everything else to get in shape."
Pat Maxcy took a tour of the YMCA on Thursday with her husband as she looked for a new place to exercise.
They've closed Curves and the closest one is 40 miles away, she said.
Maxcy said she works out about three days a week to maintain her strength.
Highlands County Family YMCA Membership Director Michelle Cathey said, "We see people wanting to get back in the gym and get healthy again."
The variety of classes all get used up including: spin, yoga, tai chi, aquatic classes and zumba and aqua zumba classes and youth sports, she said. The numbers are up also with the snowbirds here for a few months.
Fitness Factory manager Lisa Tyson said they were very busy Wednesday with people ranging in age from 19 to 76.
Everybody has got a New Year's resolution to work out or lose weight, she said.
Tyson noted that Wednesday marked the third anniversary of when she started the gym.
"Three years ago when I walked in here that's what I looked like," she said showing a photo of herself before she lost weight through diet and exercise.
Everybody thinks there is a magic pill out there, Tyson said.
Staying fit is a lifestyle, she said. Just dieting to lose 20 pounds won't help if you go back to your old ways of eating once you reach your weight goal.
"It's a commitment. Every day you have think, with that candy bar how long will it take to work it off," Tyson said.
The Highlands County Family YMCA is located at 100 YMCA Lane, Sebring.
Fitness Factory is located at 3100 Medical Way, Sebring.
mvalero@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5826