The Fitness Club wishes each of you a happy, healthy, and successful new year. Our club IS the place where fitness, friends, and fun connect—especially when our seasonal and snowbird friends are sharing time with us. I love walking over to the club and seeing all the smiling faces.
While we look back on 2025, we would like to encourage you not just to make fitness a priority, but to create some goals. As with any changes in your exercise routines, please consult a health professional, so you can work together on your targets.
When goal setting for 2026, it is time to Get Smart (no shoe phone required). Yes, SMART. This time, SMART is the acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. Using this technique helps break down big goals into smaller ones so you can track and appreciate your victories. When you reach those goals, make sure you reward yourself!
• S – SPECIFIC: Craft goals that are quantifiable. Rather than “I’m going to eat veggies,” try for something like, “I’m going to have a salad with lunch every day.” Hey, that is a great idea (as long as it is not laden with creamy dressings or ultra-processed meats)!
• M – MEASURABLE: Make it quantifiable and, well, measured. While telling yourself you are going to “get more exercise” is great, it is better to say, “I’m walking to the gym and will exercise for at least 20 minutes, 4 days a week.”
• A – ATTAINABLE: Make it realistic. We can all say we want to “lose a little weight.” For a few weeks, we might limit calories and fat, do a few extra minutes of sweating, and perhaps shed a few pounds. But depriving ourselves of those little sweets that make us smile, or the joy that comes from reading a book all day, can keep us from adopting an attainable shift in lifestyle. Appreciate the joy that comes from small successes.
• R – RELEVANT: Make sure your goals are meaningful. If you are looking to lower your blood pressure, it is prudent to watch your salt intake. Use herbs, spices, and seasonings in the kitchen and just add salt at the table. A typical “shake” or pinch is about 1/16 of a teaspoon.
• T – TIMELY: Goals without deadlines are amorphous; they sit there and do not have an ending. Putting a timeline on your goals not only gives you a chance to measure your progress, but it also gives you a chance to reach that goal and feel that self-satisfaction.
OTHER TIPS:
• Find your Motivation.
• Setbacks are part of the game. Accept them, look at them, and then keep moving forward.
• Write it down (or track it on your phone).
• Focus. You don’t need to set a dozen goals. Decide on a few that are important and manageable and concentrate your efforts there.
• Consider partnering with a friend. Not only does this create some fun, but it also creates accountability.
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
There’s no denying that as we age, we increase our likelihood of having cancer. This year, we spent a few months raising awareness of this devastating disease.
Fitness Club Manager Leigh-Anne Hall says, “At the Fitness Center, we started in September with Ovarian Cancer Bands. Someone anonymously donated wristbands so we could band together to honor a member who was recently diagnosed. Then, in October, we provided our members with Breast Cancer Awareness pins. There are members and staff who have fought this type of cancer, and we wanted to show our support and solidarity. We all were feeling the love, but then decided that CANCER SUCKS. I got to work planning an event for all who have had cancer or know someone who does, so we could all come together. On the morning of November 16th, we held our Cancer Sucks Walk where we rode golf carts, walked, or ran in support.”
PICKLEBALL
Our thriving pickleball community is in full swing (and dink). Our round-robins, tournaments, and socials are for Members Only (hands up if you had one of those classic 80s Members Only jackets!). We welcome community members to watch and check out our upcoming events.
• Saturday, January 10, 2026 – Open Play, Corn Hole, 50/50 Drawing
• Saturday, February 28, 2026 – Social Tournament & Cookout
• Saturday, March 21, 2026 – MLP Format Tournament & Cookout
Note: Tennis and Pickleball programs offer support to members who are new to both sports. Currently the tennis program is looking for entry level team members. If you haven’t played in some time and would like to dust off your racquet, there are plenty of opportunities to get started again. Pickleball members volunteer their time to teach those new to pickleball the basics. No need to feel intimidated, we got you covered! Come check us out and join the fun and work on those New Year fitness goals!!
PUNTA GORDA PICKLEPLEX.
DIANA MOORE WON GOLD
AT LAKE KENNEDY.
