With the nights drawing in and just over eight weeks to Christmas, you might be tempted to slow down, put the feet up and leave all thoughts of getting fit until the new year, but there is no better time to start a healthy lifestyle than now, according to Mullingar fitness instructor and author, CJ Scally.
“Leaving the house and coming home when it is dark can be hard on people’s mood, but we can help ourselves. Training releases endorphins which are great for mental health. People feel a lot more positive when they’re moving their body, whether it be in the gym or going for a walk and eating the right foods adds to this. Don’t wait until the new year, when gyms are full and you might feel like you’ve gone backwards, to start. If you start now you’ll feel great by Christmas and can even indulge a little.”
CJ’s new book ‘Your 8 Week Plan’ is an easy to follow guide for people of all ages who want to feel mentally and physically stronger. It encourages people to get into the gym, showing them the best exercises to do and how to use the equipment. This training is supported by recipes and shopping lists of healthy foods, along with information on the importance of protein, healthy fats, calories and the benefits of training.
The past student of St Finian’s College, Mullingar qualified from University of Limerick in Exercise, Health and Personal Training in 2013, eager to share his passion for a healthy lifestyle with others.
“I started working out in 2010 and felt the benefits – improved mood, getting leaner, more flexibility. Soon it became part of my day and it wasn’t a chore. Doing something for yourself makes you feel good and then you start to eat a bit better. I wanted to show people how to get started so I wrote the book, and I think there is something for everyone in it, wherever they are starting. You can take pieces or follow it all. Hopefully the book might be the motivation for readers to start a new lifestyle.”
CJ was originally based in Mullingar Business Park but following an increase in his online work and one-to-one clients, he realised his dream and is now working from home.
“I always had a goal of building my own place here. I train males and females of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels, anyone that wants to feel good about themselves, for the sake of their head as well the heart. I get teachers, business people, solicitors and even a pro-golfer coming to me. They may come in stressed but they leave feeling great.”
CJ created the plan over eight weeks for a very good reason.
“It’s the sweet spot. Ten weeks scares people and six weeks isn’t enough. Eight weeks is doable, tangible and once you get into it and see how good you feel, the hope is you won’t stop. The hope is that this is just the beginning.”
‘Your 8 Week Plan’ is available to buy from Just Books, Mullingar, The Athlone Bookshop and on Amazon. Find CJ on Facebook at ‘CJ’s Strength & Fitness’.
