By chance or fate, fitness enthusiasts and wellness experts are starting to fill gyms for the new year, aiming to maintain healthier, happier lifestyles. Long before he made this New Year's resolution, Keshi Gardner made a resolution that would change his life. Now 20 pounds lighter, she talks about her strength, determination, and her newfound confidence as she aims to lose another 20 pounds.
Gardner says Lifestyle“In 2023, I started working with a trainer named Pierre Domville of Fit 360 by Pierre. In the process, I lost 20 pounds and gained muscle and definition.”
She says the journey has been difficult, but it has made her even more proud of the positive outcome. “It was tough at first, I was 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighed about 180 pounds. Losing weight was tough.”
However, she understood the mission in front of her and would not rest until she achieved her goal. She says, “After a while, I started doing more. And it helped that I started seeing results. Seeing results gives me inspiration and motivates me to keep going.”
Having achieved that impressive milestone in 2023, her 2024 goal is to take it to the next level by incorporating health and fitness into her lifestyle and losing an additional 20 pounds.
“I make sure to walk 10,000 steps a day. I have a Fit Bit that counts it. I'm trying to get rid of bad eating habits. I used to always eat fast food. was addicted to soda. My plan now is to drink two liters of water a day, as well as exercise every morning,” she revealed.
After Christmas, she noticed that certain foods made her feel sluggish. Seeing these benefits led Gardner to incorporate fruits and vegetables into her life.
“Some days I fast depending on my mood,” she added. In order for a PR specialist to tackle upcoming tasks, it is best for her to start her day with quality exercises.
She has recently been incorporating walking into her afternoons after noticing that her fitness efforts were stagnant. “Generally speaking, I feel like getting outside and walking really helps.”
Gardner hasn't ignored other aspects of her health either. So in addition to her nutrition and exercise, she also works on stress management.
“I'm also trying to integrate more movement overall. More stretching, hip mobility exercises like Pilates and calisthenics. As we age, we lose muscle mass and bone density, so I will be doing some strength training and lifting heavier weights to compensate,” she said.
Gardner believes everyone should strive to be better than the previous year. It's a rubric she subscribes to with pride, not just in the fitness department, but from an overall perspective as well.
“I don't think we should think only about fitness. It should also apply to goal setting in life. The new year is a good marker. But we should always strive to improve ourselves over time.” she emphasized.
krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com
