45°
How can you resist a business called Change with Cheryl?
Russo, a certified personal and group fitness trainer and health coach who grew up in Fair Lawn but now lives in Franklin Lakes, offers in-person, online personal and group training, detox programs and weight loss programs.
While she trains a variety of individuals across all age groups, she said September is a particularly busy time for moms as their kids are back in school and their schedules are returning to normal.
January is another key time of year when folks of all ages create New Year’s resolutions, among them new fitness goals. Another key season is the beginning of spring, when people are reminded that they'll soon be wearing tank tops, shorts and bathing suits.
Through it all, Russo is there reminding clients it's not difficult to get in shape and that everyone can find something they can enjoy.
Defining goals is key. Russo first sits with potential clients to learn their past and present eating and fitness habits and what they'd like to improve.
"People will stay committed to a fitness program if they enjoy it," she said. "If it doesn’t feel like a chore and it's not overwhelming."
Her job, she told Daily Voice, is to create simple, effective personalized fitness plans that are built on exercises clients will stick with. "I motivate and support them to go beyond their self-imposed limitations," she said. "And I offer as much help as they want in respect to food choices, meal planning, etc."
Some easy tips:
- Drink half your weight in ounces of water. That alone helps the lymphatic system, and can help you lose up to five pounds.
- Decide if you are a morning or evening person and plan on working out during that time of day. Russo prefers working out first thing in the morning before she gets side tracked.
- Take advantage of guest passes. Most gyms, yoga studios, spin studios etc. offer three to five-day guest passes. "Take a variety of classes and decide which you prefer," she advised.
- Go outside, whether it's to walk in the neighborhood, the high school track or area hiking spots like Campgaw, Ramapo Reserve, High Mountain Park Preserve.
- Observe the 80/20 rule: 80 percent healthy food choices and 20 percent slight indulgences. Said Russo: "This will keep you from feeling deprived."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fair Lawn-Glen Rock and receive free news updates.
