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.. Northern Ireland Travel: How to Get Fit - and Stay Fit ; DAVID LLOYD LEISURE HAS ALL THE ANSWERS

Posted on: Saturday, 1 January 2005, 06:00 CST

AFTER the excesses of the Christmas break you will be wondering if it has all transferred to your midriff.

For those of us who carry a few extra pounds there is always the reminder of the Baywatch lookalikes as they strut their stuff across the golden sands of the Mediterranean to annoy us even more.

But now we are about to enter a new year and have fresh desire to feel cool this year in the clothes we wear, there are two choices available.

You can either stay at home and do nothing to shed the extra weight or take up some exercise and try and feel a whole lot better about yourself.

Like most of us, I end up making the same promises every January.

And a lot, me included, do not even make it through the month without slipping off the wagon or down the slope.

I definitely need assistance and encouragement to prepare for the many wonderful destinations that will be adorning the travel agents shelves and of course here in the travel section.

In an effort to ensure I really do shift some excess pounds for the summer, I have ventured off my sofa and sought the advice of the wonderful David Lloyd Leisure in Belfast.

After a short chat with its staff, I soon realised why we often fail to achieve the goals that we have set ourselves.

Thankfully David Lloyd Leisure has set out some excellent tips to help you and me finally succeed this year.

l ANY goal that is written down is much more likely to be achieved

lSTICK your goal somewhere that you will see it each and every day, like on the fridge or on top of the TV

lTELL someone else because once we have revealed our plans we are more likely to achieve success

lPLAN a joint resolution with someone and challenge each other along the way

lBE specific and don't make plans that are vague or you are unlikely to be successful.

If you have decided to get fit you could plan to go jogging once a week, join a health club, take up yoga, buy a mountain bike or find some friends who will join you in a regular game of tennis.

I plan to join David Lloyd Leisure because they openly welcome families and provide a variety of activities and experiences for children and adults alike.

Their impressive facilities at its magnificent sprawling complex in Dundonald, East Belfast, include indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools and tennis courts.

They provide swimming and tennis lessons as well as aerobic classes specifically for five to 16-year-olds.

And when it's time for a snack, their restaurants offer healthy, delicious food in a family friendly environment.

If like me you travel often and want to keep up your regime, then don't forget David Lloyd is not just a Belfast-based fitness company but can be found all over the world.

If you are a member of David Lloyd in Belfast - and provided you have completed six months' membership - you can also be a member of all their other venues.

If you are a regular traveller this could save you a fortune in local gym fees.

David Lloyd Leisure in Belfast is generally open from 6.30am to 11pm most days of the week.

It offers many different levels of membership to suit every person's requirements.

It would take all day to list them here so I would advise that you contact them directly at 115 Old Dundonald Road, BT16 1DL, Belfast, phone 028 9041 3300 or visit their excellent website www.davidlloydleisure.co.uk.

But how will you know when you have achieved your goal?

It has to be measurable in some way so that you can plot your progress and celebrate your final goal when you reach it.

Planning how you will reach your goal ensures that you have thought about the journey as well as the final destination.

It could be the number of weekly workouts or the total minutes of exercise each month - for me it's the loss of one stone at least.

But is your goal achievable? This is where I too often come unstuck.

We always want great results too soon and when that doesn't happen we become demotivated and lose interest.

As a general rule, losing weight will take approximately half the length of time it took to gain it in the first place.

That's a startling thought when you consider that most excess weight is gained over a year or more.

The good news is that with a sensible and realistic change in your lifestyle, you will gradually lose the excess weight and should keep it off permanently.

But you must agree a day of reckoning - plan a date when you will achieve your goal by.

Without a date, this leaves your goal wide open to be achieved when it suits you and the likelihood is that you will never get there.

Many fitness goals will take months or even years to achieve, so it's important to break them down into smaller, achievable chunks.

Each mini-goal should really be achievable within four to eight weeks to provide clear focus, regular progress and motivation to keep going. And keeping all your goals to small achievable ones is going to ensure that you will be able to slip into those cool summer clothes when and where you want.

DAVID LLOYD FACTFILE

Cafe Bar

Club Bar

Restaurant

Lounge

Large TV Screen

Childcare

Creche

Extensive children's & teens sports coaching and fitness classes

Unique David Lloyd Hi5 Kids Activity Club programme

Conference facilities to suit every requirement

Licensed private bar

Exclusive and unique environment

Excellent catering service

Non-member, private and commercial bookings welcome

Gym

Cardiovascular stations

Computerised resistance machines

Fixed weights machines

Free weight apparatus

Warm-up/stretch area

Aerobics dance studio

Personalised fitness programmes

Hair and beauty salon

Sports shop

19.5 x 9.5 metre outdoor pool with sun terrace and pool bar open all year

25 x 13 metre indoor swimming pool with children's pool

6 luxury carpet indoor racquet courts

5 outdoor courts

3 championship squash courts

4 anti-slip badminton courts

Spa

Sauna

Steam Room

Whirlpool

IF you feel that getting fit for the summer is something you would like to try out, then we are offering you the opportunity to have a go for free.

The first 50 names sent on a postcard - complete with address and telephone number - to our normal address or sent in by email to travel@ein.org will be passed on to to David Lloyd Belfast so they can give you with a free day's pass worth around pounds 12.

Please note in order for David Lloyd to contact you we will have to pass on your details to them.

By sending in a request for a free pass you will are agreeing that we can pass on your details to David Lloyd Leisure Belfast.

PLANNING YOUR TRAVEL FITNESS

IT often happens that a holiday includes not only a break from your home but also from the exercise routine which you have so diligently started up so to avoid being a fitness backslider, be certain to try a water workout instead.

Whether you travel for business or pleasure, you won't regret it. First take a look at your exercise routine and find a way to include it when you get away.

When you make your reservations, a little checking on your part can assure there is a pool available to you. If your holiday accommodation does not have a pool, you can always ask the property owner or hotel staff to suggest a local alternative.

Don't forget if you are using an outdoor pool to protect yourself with sunscreen, tinted eyewear and a hat.

Another option for a fun and fit vacation is to choose one specifically with an exercise focus. For example, there are many cruises, spas and resorts throughout the world that are geared for exercise and fitness.

Source: Daily Mirror

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