Remembering those New Year's Resolutions

January is almost at an end, and if you are like most people out there, you made a goal to try and exercise more, eat healthier, or just be more fit all around. So how are you doing? It's a great time to look back on this month and see how successful you were. If you were able to stick to those goals you made for yourself great, keep it up. If not, it's okay, February is a brand new month to try and be a little more focused and determine on achieving those fitness goals.

For those of you who need some motivation, I have a little piece of advice. Start off setting small, attainable goals. Even if it's going to the gym once this week, you have to start somewhere. This way you are able to see and feel success and are determined to achieve more. It doesn't take that much to improve your health. Health benefits can result by being active for just 30 minutes a day. It is recommended to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on all or most days of the week*. Which if you think about it, that's only about 3 hours a week. This still may be challenging for some, but I know it's possible. As you become more fit and are able to increase the time and intensity of your work outs, you will see even greater results. I know it can be hard to fit in time to exercise, but you are worth it! Invest in yourself now, and you will gain huge rewards later in life. You will also feel better, have more energy, and be healthier.

I know it's not easy. Why do you think that losing weight and exercising more are always some of the top New Year's resolutions? And still recent studies show that about 66% of Americans are considered overweight or obese**. It takes time and planning, it takes energy and effort, and it takes a good amount of self control and dedication to exercise regularly and eat right. It is difficult, and set backs are bound to happen. However, you don't have to be alone in achieving your goals. One of the best ways for staying motivated and accountable is having someone else supporting you along the way. Whether that person is a family member, a friend, or personal trainer, they can help you stay on track and cheer you on while reaching your goals.

Being healthy is not just a New Year's resolution, but a lifelong resolution. So don't get discouraged if you haven't done as well as you would have liked this past month. Keep moving forward; setting small goals, recognizing your accomplishments, and you'll get there.


*Source: American College of Sports Medicine
**Source: Health, United States, 2011, table 69

Spring Sports Sign-ups

Can you believe it's already time to start thinking about Spring Sports?!?!  After last night's storm, neither can we.  But Youth Soccer and Youth Competitive Basketball sign ups opened today.  We will continue to take registrations through February 17 or until the leagues are full.  You can come into the Rec Center to sign up (315 E 600 S on the east side of Sky View) or go to our website (www.smithfieldrecreation.com).  Here is a little more information on each league:

Youth Spring Soccer

 

 

 

Youth Girls Competitive Basketball

Youth Boys Competitive Basketball

 Please feel free to call the Recreation Center if you have any questions or concerns when registering for these sports. We would love to help you out!

Yoga: Garudasana

Standing in the sand at the edge of the water feels secure as the sand washes in encasing one’s toes. But that security only lasts until the water ebbs away hollowing out space beneath the foot, washing away the foundation.  A gleeful giggle or a scared squeal may greet this play of constant change. Either way, one cannot remain attached to ground upon which she is standing.

Yoga balances provide the opportunity to practice responding to the ever shifting challenges of life. Do you laugh at the feeling of the sand slipping out from under foot? Do you dig in deeper and attempt to hold on? Are you stepping out of the water to find firmer ground? In April’s Thursday night flow yoga class* we are exploring this ebb and flow on our mat as we practice standing on one foot and wrapping around our center in garudasana.

All yoga balances bring to our attention the constancy of change. Garudasana, described as trying to climb a vine that wraps around itself**, adds some curly twisting to the challenge. Just as the foot roots down, the crossing of the leg encourages the hips to sway to the side. How will you respond? Rooting firmly or toppling over? Laughing or cursing? In class it isn’t really important whether you can remain balanced on one foot or not, it is about the attitude you take while experiencing the posture. If you can find the play in the effort of standing on one leg, you can certainly find the play in the midst of other challenges.

While one might expect standing on one foot wrapping arms and legs into yourself to be confining and constricting, in practice I find it to be expansive across the back of the heart, through the sacrum, and in the mind. Standing in garudasana responding calmly to the flow and ebb of the breath, the pulsing of subtle energy, and the chattering mind creates a spaciousness of possibility that I carry off the mat. The practice of garudasana refreshes my perspective like standing on sand as the waves wash the sand from under foot.

 Acknowledgements:

 Feet in the Water photo by Chase Lewis.
*Thursday nights 7:15–8:15 pm until at least Feb. 7
** Lee, Cyndi. "Eagle Pose." YogaJournal.com.

Welcome!

Happy New Year! We are excited about this new year and the opportunities it will bring to our community. Our primary focus at the Smithfield Recreation Center is our patrons and making their experience as enjoyable as possible. We are looking to open up new avenues of customer feedback so we can improve our programs, activities, and facilities. This blog is just one way to do that. If you have any concerns or suggestions for us please let us know. Call us, email us, come chat with us in person-whatever works best for you! We want to make the Rec Center a place for everyone to enjoy. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated with changes that are taking place here!

Speaking of changes...we recently received several new pieces of Free Motion equipment to replace some of the older machines in the weight room. Check out the photos then come try them out for yourself! 

Our hours are:

Monday through Thursday - 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
Friday - 5:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday - 6:00 am to 6 pm
Closed Sundays

We do share facilities with the high school so, from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm during the week, Sky View has priority use of the weight room and the gyms. But, the cardio room, aerobics room and racquetball courts are open to patrons all day!

We are also running a special right now through January 27. Mention this post when signing up for an Annual Membership to get the sign-up fee waived or receive a 13th month for free!