By Heather Wood

Well, the New Year has arrived and I am sure you are sitting down thinking about how you are going to make this year the best by getting fit!  You can do this by making your health your number one priority, each and every day.  No more excuses; no more putting yourself on the back burner while you take care of everyone else.  This is your year!  Here are 5 ways that you can begin creating a new you in 2015.

1. Walking

You can start by getting up out of that chair and simply walking for 15 minutes every day.  Just get moving.  If you have not exercised in a long time, this is a great goal for you.  Start out small and work your way up.  You will be amazed at how your body responds, and how your attitude positively changes towards everything in your life.

Lace up your sneakers and check the weather—if it is nice out, take advantage of outdoor walking opportunities at local parks like Fourth of July and Civitan Park.  If you are in an adventurous mood, the Kernersville Parks & Recreation Department maintains a 3.1 mile Cross Country Course at Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex that is sure to raise your heart-rate.  All are welcome to walk laps indoors at The Kernersville Community Recreation Center but, open gym hours vary so call 996-3062 to check for availability.

2. Strength Training

What is wonderful about this type of training is that you can do it anywhere.  All you need is a little space and a piece of tubing to help develop strength and flexibility, and gain a little metabolism boost in the process.  During resistance training, remember to allow your muscles to go through the full range of motion.  This way, you will increase your flexibility and strength for the muscle group you are working.  For detailed instruction, we offer R.I.P.P.E.D. (Resistance, Intervals, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance, & Diet) and PiYo (a high intensity, low impact workout for a new kind of STRONG) classes at the Kernersville Community Recreation Center on Monday and Thursday evenings.

3. Aerobic

Regular aerobic exercise has significant cardiovascular benefits, including a reduction in incidence of and mortality from coronary artery disease.  Aerobic exercise increases your stamina and endurance.  This ought to excite you.  If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day—too tired to even enjoy your family—you need to make regular exercise a part of your life.  Once it becomes a habit, you will not want to give it up.  You will feel too good after you attend one of our intensely enjoyable, cardio-rich classes like Fitness Boot Camps with Anna Carter and/or Zumba with the Dance Fit Divas!  These two classes are offered on several weeknights (and even some Saturdays!) to work with anyone’s preferred schedule.

4. Flexibility

The benefits of yoga provide both instant gratification and lasting transformation.  Yoga’s deep breathing and meditation practices help foster an inner shift from to-do lists, kids and spouse’s needs, financial concerns, and relational struggles to something a little bit bigger than the daily issues you face.  Yoga helps relieve stress and unclutter the mind, and helps you get more focused.  One of the benefits of yoga is that you can choose a yoga style that is tailored to your lifestyle, such as hot yoga, power yoga, relaxation yoga, prenatal yoga, etc.  If you are into a combo-class, try out our above-mentioned PiYo class, as it combines the very best of Pilates and yoga-inspired moves.

5. Social Well-Being

Being involved in your community makes you a more responsible citizen.  You are taking an active role in helping shape your community.  Being more involved can also give you a voice to affect positive change.  Communities are always looking for people who want to improve the lives and well-being of others and so are we.

The benefits from attending Kernersville Parks & Recreation programs are more than just the obvious.  Vital, yet often overlooked aspects of what constitutes a person as “healthy” include friendships, effective stress-management, confidence, accountability, and more.  When planning our course and league offerings, we keep these things in mind.  At Kernersville Parks & Recreation, we strive to “complete the circle” of what makes a person HEALTHY.

Kernersville Parks and Recreation has an array of programs being offered this winter such as Oil Painting for Beginners, Girls Lacrosse, Krav Maga (Self Defense) for Women, and Bullying Workshops.  Visit our website at www.toknc.com/pr for a complete list, or pick up our latest 2015 Winter Leisure Guide around town.

You have met the man or woman of your dreams, you have decided to get married, and now it is time to plan the wedding.  We know how it is.  When the euphoria of the engagement begins to fade, you are struck by a flutter of panic—“I need to plan the wedding!”  Searching for the latest bridal must haves for your upcoming nuptials can be stressful, but we have you covered.  The Kernersville Wedding Fair has local vendors who are ready to spend one-on-one time helping you plan the perfect wedding.  Where else, but at a wedding fair can you preview ceremony and reception locations, peruse photographers’ portfolios, as well as see and hear entertainers?  As you walk past the exhibitors, caterers will tempt you with the likes of roast beef, pasta, and nibbles of buttercream-frosted cake.  You and your entourage can play with wedding jewelry and bridal fashion accessories like veils and tiaras. You will pick up splashy decor ideas, as well as a few freebies along the way.  Join Kernersville Parks and Recreation for the Kernersville Wedding Fair on Saturday, January 10 from 11am- 3:00pm at the beautiful Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden.  The first 100 registered brides will receive a gorgeous tote.  Brides can pre-register at www.toknc.com/pr for $2 or $5 at the door.

“For the first time in forever,” we are “opening the castle doors” to Dads and their princesses!  Spend a magical evening making memories filled with music, dancing, refreshments, 1st class transportation, visits from Arendelle royalty and lots of FROZEN fun!  The highly anticipated Father / Daughter Dance will take place on Saturday, February 7 from 6:00-8:30pm at the Kernersville Community Recreation Center.  Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting our website at www.toknc.com/pr.