Start the New Year On a Healthy Foot

Quit smoking. Stress less. Lose weight and get fit. These aren’t only some of the most common New Year’s resolutions, but they’re also the most commonly broken, according to an article published in Time. Committing to a healthier lifestyle that leads to these goals doesn’t have to be hard though, says local fitness pro Ambia Rossiter, who joined forces with her fiancé and fellow trainer, Josh Phelan, to establish Forte Training boot camps in Newport Beach. Here, the duo reveals their routine for getting in shape — and staying there.

What’s a tip for committing to fitness in the New Year?
The New Year always brings loads of resolutions that end up not being fulfilled due to a lack of commitment. You have to have a drive to be better. I highly suggest getting a coach to help keep you be accountable on days when you just don’t feel like working out (yes, there will be those days!). Most success comes from having a coach (I have two, personally) and/or an accountability partner to keep them motivated. Another good tip: Put a picture of your dream body or an upcoming vacation destination where you can see it daily to remind yourself why you’re changing your lifestyle.

What’s the best way to discover a fitness regimen that suits my personality and lifestyle?
You figure it out by exploring. If you belong to a gym, try a bunch of different classes until you find a class or instructor you enjoy. You never know what you’ll like until you try it. Plus, it’s good to get out of your comfort zone a bit; it fuels the soul.

What if there isn’t time to go to the gym or a class every day or even several times per week? Can a few quick workouts throughout the day have the same results?
Getting healthy and achieving your dream body isn’t just about working out or taking a class five times a week — it’s a lifestyle. Take the stairs instead of the escalator or park far away from the store to get a few extra steps in. It’s important to be active for at least 30 minutes a day. You don’t have to go to the gym at all, as long as you’re staying active.

How important is diet to fitness?
Nutrition is 80 percent of weight management. My mentor always says, “You cannot out–train a bad diet.” Avoid fad diets and focus more on eating whole foods — lean proteins, lots of veggies, and carbs like oats, quinoa, brown rice, and couscous. Don’t eat any boxed “food” — it’s all junk. A helpful I tip I live by and tell my clients: If it was once alive and/or came from the earth, it’s good to eat.

What do your clients say is the biggest struggle with getting/staying in shape, and what is your fix?
1. Motivation. They come for a while, feel great, and then drop off because life gets in the way or they become lazy. That’s why it’s important to get an accountability partner and/or coach.
2. They don’t see results quickly enough so they give up. It’s important to remember that change takes time. We live in a world that is so used to getting information and outcomes in a split second, so when something takes a few weeks or even months to see a result we give up. It takes about six to eight weeks to notice a significant difference. The biggest transformation I’ve seen in the quickest time was 12 weeks, and that was with incredible discipline. So when you get discouraged, breathe, relax — and go run another lap!

What new fitness trends are worth trying?
The fitness world is constantly changing and improving, with many new things [gadgets and techniques] coming out all the time. I highly recommend a TRX class. Another activity I’ve gotten into lately is aerial silks and aerial yoga. All three test your endurance, core strength, and risk factor — and are also a lot of fun!

What is your personal favorite way to work out?
When I’m not lifting weights for competitions, my [preferred] workout is TRX, yoga, swimming, and spin. I could do TRX everyday because it’s fun and challenging. I train five or six days a week and my workouts last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how much time I have. You can get a great workout in 30 minutes if you focus and push hard.

For more information about Forte Training boot camps in Newport Beach, call 661-645-8974.