Elmhurst Fitness Gurus Share Their Tips for Keeping in Shape

It's early spring, that time of year where those who have been exercising and eating healthy look forward to the flimsy and fun fashions of summer, while others dread the revealing clothing that highlights the extra 10 pounds they gained during the winter hibernation.

It's no doubt that consistency really works. Stick to a regular exercise schedule and eating plan, and you'll definitely see results. But routine is difficult. We've certainly noticed fewer people crowding local fitness centers as compared to early January. New Years resolutions quickly get old and fall by the wayside. Fortunately, several local fitness gurus shared their unique tips and strategies on staying fit without getting bored.

Chrissy Sahlas, owner of Elmhurst-based , advises clients to use their creative vision. "Seeing and feeling" the end results of reaching one's fitness goals can provide motivation to be consistent with exercise and eating well, Sahlas believes.

Everyone has those days where they just don't feel motivated to stick with their workout, even trainers, according to Sahlas. 

"Have an argument with yourself while on your way to your workout, and don't give into your mood," she advised. "Instead, try to change your mood. Bicker with yourself if you have to. The workout will soon be over and you'll feel so much better for sticking with it."

But while consistency in working out is key, doing the same exact workout everyday will eventually diminish your results. Jill Giorno, owner of and the soon to be opened FITT-RX personal training studio in downtown Elmhurst, employs muscle confusion in her training regimen to avoid nasty plateaus. She was introduced to the Tabata method of interval training last year, and began using it to train her clients, who have all seen great results. Giorno also decided to begin her own personal 49 day food diary journey, Practice What I Preach.

"Healthy eating is important and I've read that abs are made 80 percent in the kitchen and 20 percent in the gym," Giorno said. "What I've learned over this experience is that in order to practice healthy eating, you've got to be mindful of every single bite that goes into your mouth."

While Giorno doesn't deprive herself, she has learned to be more conscious about all of her food and drink choices.

Even if you exercise religiously, you may have a trouble spot that just doesn't respond as well as the rest of your body. Many of my female clients are especially concerned about their legs and booties. The best way to get a stubborn body part to respond is to give it its own special day of targeted training.

While all of my daily workouts include leg exercises, I will target this specific area with isolated training one day per week. This concentrates on building muscle in the legs and glutes, which will also speed up your metabolism. The extra calorie burn also helps to burn fat from the stubborn belly area, a definite added bonus.

In the workout, I combine plyometric exercises such as jump squats with old school weight training exercises, including two variations on the lunge, stepups onto a bench and deadlifts. You'll also perform intervals of fast tempo and moderate tempo running or power walking sprints.

Not only will your legs look great, but they'll also perform better athletically and in your daily life.

Above all, it's important to make sure you enjoy your workouts. Lorna Samatas, co-owner of , advises to pay attention to how an exercise (or food) makes you feel.

"If you feel GOOD—balanced, energized, aligned and happy—you are much more likely to make that thing a habit," she said. "Cut yourself slack and start practicing looking for what is good and not what needs to be fixed."

Samatas believes that there are so many small things to celebrate in our bodies and everyday life. By focusing on the blessings present in any given moment and honoring where we are right now, she says, you'll experience a small shift in thinking that yields big results in terms of overall happiness in your life.