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Many of us welcome the new year with resolutions to start a diet and gym routine in the hopes of losing weight, gaining muscle, or simply feeling better.

Starting is easy — we are motivated to make changes and excited to see the progress those changes bring. “I often hear, ‘Starting January 1, I’m going to exercise every day,’” says Dr. Marja-Liisa Magnuson, a family practice doctor with Montage Medical Group.

But when new year motivation fades, it is time to embrace discipline to stick with the commitments we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. An effective way to stay disciplined is to make small and manageable, yet meaningful and measurable changes to our daily habits.

“Diet and exercise go hand in hand, and trying to do both at the same time is the best way to do it,” Magnuson says. “Increasing the regular physical activity that you get throughout the day is a really easy way to start incorporating some lifestyle changes.” This includes taking the stairs instead of the elevator, taking a walk on your lunch break, and choosing movement-based family activities like going on a hike, riding bikes, or playing an outdoor game.

Magnuson says she is commonly asked about weight-loss medication. “There are some large proven benefits to medications,” Magnuson says, “but there are also a lot of other things that need to be considered that you should talk to your physician about.”

When starting a new exercise routine, consider working with a professional to get started on the right path. Montage Wellness Center’s personal trainers can help you do just that, and members joining in January receive two complimentary sessions with a personal trainer to help you identify your goals and guide you toward exercises and classes suited to your specific needs. Training options include group classes, aquatic exercise, strength training, cardiovascular training, and working with a personal trainer.

Montage Wellness Center’s new year special takes 75 percent off the initiation fee for everyone who signs up between January 1 and January 31. Learn more and get started today.

Marja-Liisa Magnuson, DO

Family Practice

Marja-Liisa Magnuson, DO, specializes in both family and sports medicine. She chose the path of family medicine because of the continuity of care and the relationships that are built through a family medicine physician. She is also passionate about sports medicine and loves to help people keep a healthy lifestyle. She believes a healthy lifestyle is paramount to wellness.

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