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Community Corner

Project Summer Body: Countdown is On

Latest trends in exercise mean there's something for everyone

Losing weight and getting in shape is one of those items that is pushed from one week's to-do list to the next week’s. Every Monday is 'the day,' to start, but life gets in the way. Then comes Tuesday, and who starts a fitness program on a Tuesday? So it waits another week.

The best advice, according to Susan Donovan, Fitness Director at the Jewish Community Center in Woodbridge, is to find something comfortable enough that you can commit to. With the official start to summer looming just four weeks away, there are ways to make changes that will bring good results. The combination of cutting back on calorie intake and being more active is a good start.

“Start with small steps,” she says. "If we have someone come in who is sedentary, we'll go through a general assessment of what they've been doing and what their goals are," she says. From there, she'll recommend a variety of options.

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“Running has become trendy. There are more 5Ks and there are people who are thinking they want to hop on the trend and run,” she says. Next month the club is starting what’s known as a couch to 5K program for those who want to run, but don’t know where to start.

“It’s a nice way to commit to a fall 5K. It’s fun to do with a group.” Donovan says. Group fitness has also grown in popularity.

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“Zumba is just huge. For the person who likes to dance and enjoys music, that’s a great way to get into a routine of doing a few classes a week, dancing through a cardiovascular activity,” she says. “Spinning classes are probably one of the most efficient ways of burning fat.”

For those who want to start slower, 20 minutes of a brisk walk or light jog will help jump-start a person’s metabolism.

“Think of it this way: it takes 3500 calories to equal one pound, so you need a deficit of 3500 calories to lose a pound. If you could be active every day and burn 500 calories, you’ll lose a pound a week.

As much as cardiovascular activity, brisk walking and cycling burn fat, strength training is also important.

“We’re encouraging people to do core conditioning and strength training exercises because that will help your body develop more muscle mass—that’s not muscle building like a body-builder, but by increasing the amount of muscle mass in your body and decreasing the amount of fat, that will increase your metabolism,” she explains.

The Jewish Community Center offers 65 classes each week. There literally is something for everyone.

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