By Jim Riley

Contributing Writer

The new year is upon us, and for many it’s time for the annual New Year’s Resolution. One of the most common resolutions is to become more fit. Coincidentally, January is also the month that gym memberships soar. Good intentions to improve fitness often become expensive, long-term commitments that go unused after the new year enthusiasm diminishes.

Many people see gym membership as essential to improving their physical fitness and think the money commitment will keep their goal in focus over time. Although I value and enjoy the workouts at my gym to maintain and improve fitness and for the social aspects available there, a gym regimen does not appeal to all who wish to improve their fitness levels, and many fit people never see the inside of a gym.

My wife, Nadine, proofreads and critiques this column. She pointed out to me that being fit doesn’t always require a gym membership, as I too often assume. I was informed that she is fit and does not like or attend fitness classes or formalized strength and aerobic training that are commonly available with gym memberships.

We have been married for 52 years and I know it is unwise to criticize her fitness levels, but her comment rang true for me. She was right. She is fit, she moves well and never goes to the gym.

There are two traits displayed by those who stay fit without formal exercise programs. There are many, like Nadine, who maintain their fitness levels the old-fashioned way by moving often in a variety of activities throughout the day. If you move often doing a variety of tasks you are really doing a series of mini-workouts. Such mini-workouts might be called chores, housework, yard work, gardening, grocery shopping or playing with the grandkids.

These types of activities build stamina, strength, mobility, athletic skill and may bring a lot of personal satisfaction and save money. Any task that gets you on your feet and moving has fitness benefits and removes you from the sedentary lifestyle, the arch-enemy of fitness.

It’s easy to work more movement into your life by implementing some of the following suggestions:

If your goal is a half mile or closer, walk don’t drive.
Sneak stretching in throughout the day.
Park farther away from your destination.
Do the TV workout. Stand up and move during commercials.
Do walking meetings, whether it’s business or social.
Get a standing desk for the computer and you’ll burn more calories.

Moving often throughout the day is the most important thing you can do to improve fitness. Frequent movement is far more important that a regular workout at the gym with regard to improving fitness levels. Sitting and the sedentary lifestyle are the enemy.

There is a second trait exhibited by fit people who shun the formal exercise available in gyms or exercise classes. These fit people perform moderately intense activities that they enjoy, such as brisk walking, birding, biking, tennis, golf and ballroom dance. Nadine performs six to seven hours of ballroom dancing weekly, which provides her with an excellent aerobic workout plus agility, rhythm and variety of movement as well as a social and joyful experience.

There are many activities that provide such an experience. The secret is to pick an activity you enjoy and do it often. An activity that is joyful helps you to maintain the commitment to exercise.

You can improve and maintain good fitness levels by employing two simple concepts: Move well and often doing a variety of tasks throughout the day, and find activities you enjoy that require physical intensity and do them often.

People To Know: Jim Riley

Hometown: Santa Ynez for the past 24 years. I was raised in Clinton, Maryland

Occupation: Retired P.E. teacher and coach of many sports. For the past 18 years I have been a fitness instructor and personal trainer part-time

Family: Wife, Nadine; children Dan, Erin and Anton; and four grandchildren

Favorite movie: “Dodgeball” and “A Beautiful Mind”

Favorite Book/Author: I read primarily fitness, health and strength training books and journals

Favorite Music/Musician: Country, Willie Nelson, and 1940s and ’50s music

Hobbies: Ballroom dance, woodworking and cooking

Your Bio in One Paragraph: Nadine and I have lived in the valley for 35 years where we raised our family. I taught P.E. in the Lompoc District and coached a variety of sports until retiring after 37 years. I also coached youth sports in the valley. Upon retiring I began teaching fitness classes and doing personal training at Performance Fitness. I have made a career of studying about and teaching movement and conditioning and am still fascinated by the field. Nadine and I are serious ballroom dancers and frequently attend good dancing venues from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara and beyond. We find dancing physically challenging, fun and a good way to meet other couples.

How I believe I have made an impact in the SYV: I’ve taught fitness classes for a long time and I hope my students not only move better and become more fit but also understand why moving often and moving well is important to the health and enjoyment of their lives. Teaching the classes has also afforded me the opportunity to bond with others in friendship.

Pet Peeves: People who let their cell phones and computers take over their lives.

Road to the Santa Ynez Valley: While teaching in the Lompoc School District I became impressed with the valley and was fortunate to move here in 1983 before prices become too high.

Favorite Place in the Santa Ynez Valley: Performance Fitness Gym