Eat. Breathe. Resolve.

And just like that, a new year is upon us. Whether we keep them or not, this is the season for fresh starts and resolutions to live better lives. The question is, what does wellness mean to you and what realistic things can you do to make 2019 one of the best years yet?

We tapped some of the Hinsdale area’s most sought-after fitness gurus, yogis, nutrition experts, and strength trainers to find out how they balance nutrition, wellness, and working out in a way that is sustainable and achievable.

Katya Sidelnik of Inner Jasmine Yoga and Wellness in Hinsdale says it’s important to create wellness goals but at the same time, give yourself permission to make necessary adjustments and take detours.

“This year I’ve had some physical injuries and heath challenges that took me away from a daily physical practice,” she explains. But, it allowed me to honor my body’s recovery. Rather than be hard on myself for not making it to my mat, or having some custard, I gave myself permission to be. When I regained my strength, I made a new decision to get back to my mat. The challenge was being OK with not being OK and not being mad at myself. It’s the judgement that generally limits my movement forward.”

Ian Matthews of i.e. Fitness in Hinsdale says one trend that’s on the way out is the limited options for fitness. “One of the most neglected segments of the population is seniors. We’re firm believers that age is just a number. No matter your age, the same important variables apply to a fitness program,” he says. “All ages work on balance, mobility, strength, and basic foundational movements to ensure a complete healthy body.”

On a similar note, Kristin Kohn at Club Pilates of Westmont says she’s seen more new beginners to Pilates than ever before.

“America is looking to start moving again, and big box gyms can be intimidating to those who aren’t sure what to do once they get there,” she says. “Small group fitness is led by an instructor who guides you through your workout. People are responding well to the number of boutique fitness studio options available in the market and find it easier to commit to these more motivating programs and classes.

For nutrition, Kathy Napleton of Hinsdale’s Nourished Table says the low-fat, no-fat diet is also fading as people are becoming more educated about the scientific facts. “For the longest time, there was the common misconception that fat made you fat, but we know that is not true,” she says. “Sugar is the culprit. In moderation, healthy fats such as avocado, organic nuts and seeds, and organic extra virgin olive oil are part of a balanced diet—boosting brain power and leading to proper satiation.”

Barbie Boules, who runs Barbie Boules Longevity Nutrition, agrees.

“People are finally starting to realize that restrictive diets that deprive us of the joy of good food are completely unsustainable,” she says. “Keto, paleo, Atkins, anything that categorizes as fasting, leave it alone. We need to get out of that mentality and figure out what works long-term.”

The most important thing, most experts agree, is that people enjoy the process and find a wellness plan that brings them joy and makes their life better.

At Plate 28 in Hinsdale, Katie Mueller’s devotees have given themselves the nickname of “vibe tribe”—forming a community of support and camaraderie.

“We are told that this is more than a workout for them,” she says. “They say that attending Plate 28 is like a treat to themselves while they are getting the strength they need to take on their day. They leave here feeling strong and accomplished.”

The best piece of advice? Just get started. And if you fail once, try again.

“There are more exercise options available today than ever before,” adds Kohn. “Movement is the key to health, so find something that you enjoy doing so that you commit to regular exercise. If you’re feeling burned out on your current routine, try something new. A personal secret for me is working out early in the morning. I’m most consistent before distractions arise throughout the day. Club Pilates offers classes at convenient class times throughout the day and every day of the week so that everyone can find a time where they can commit.”

Based on feedback from this team of local experts, here are the top six health and wellness trends to watch for in 2019.

Evolving superfoods

Yes, superfoods are great but it’s not always easy to figure out how to incorporate them into a daily diet. When you’re busy with meetings and family obligations, sometimes the easiest path is not the best one.

That’s where businesses like Nourished Table have found their niche. Napleton says the demand for healthy prepared foods has surpassed even her expectations. Now the goal is to serve this emerging demand. One popular option is the One-Day Soup Cleanse™, the success of which helped launch the Be Nourished® soups and a new Superfood Smoothie™.

She says her favorite power ingredients are turmeric, ginger, maca, matcha, and grass-fed collagen. “We have made it easy for our clients to incorporate these superfoods into their diet,” explains Napleton. “Targeting specific health benefits, our six blend-at-home Superfood Smoothies™ are packed with prebiotics, probiotics, and nine grams of grass-fed collagen for optimal nutrition. Our line of Health Boosting Seasoning Blends™ is also available in our Kitchen Market. These varieties are chock full of organic herbs and spices the help detoxify, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.”

Clients at the Nourished Table are also encouraged to start each day with an electrolyte tonic to restore proper balance in everything from digestion and cravings to neurological functions.

Going Beyond the Mat

If you love yoga, you already know the long-term benefits to health and wellbeing. So imagine how great it is to incorporate yogic principles and mindful practice into your overall workout routine?

Sidelnik says that’s what she’s seeing now and couldn’t be happier about the expansion of the regimen she loves. “Every individual is different,” she says. “Some use it for cross training needs; others utilize the schedule for the main source of physical exercise.”

Her Inner Jasmine studio also offers private sessions for clients who are overcoming injuries. “Many are taking advantage of the multiple workshops on overall mind and body wellness from me and other guest lecturers.”

One thing is certain. There’s more to yoga than temperature.

The Personal Touch

Just as our wearable tech keeps us on track personally, the boutique approach to fitness means that your workout plans can be more customized than ever.

Matthews says the importance of individual coaching at i.e. Fitness, in group and private settings, is on the rise. “We’ve made a conscious effort to get better at understanding clients’ individual personalities and how they relate to their fitness goals,” he explains. “By stepping up our coaching with each client one-on-one, we can better attack mental and physical roadblocks that stand in the way of reaching goals.”

At Club Pilates, Kohn says clients tend to be more inclined to commit to this personalized, boutique approach.

Shorter workouts

One of the things that kept people from adhering to a workout routine in the past is the commitment of an hour or more each day. With new technology, such as the plate system used at Plate 28, you can pack more workout punch into a shorter time frame—maximizing the impact with results that inspire you to keep going.

“People are looking for a unique workout experience. They want to feel great while they are working out then energized when they leave,” says Mueller, owner of the studio. “The people that have come to our studio consistently comment on the environment we have created and they love getting their full body workout in 28 minutes. The vibrating platform we use is gentle on their body leaving everyone feeling fabulous.”

She believes that this unique technique of a short, simple, and effective workout also opens the door for clients to expand wellness practices and live more balanced lives.

Strength Factor

When it comes to working out, sometimes it’s easy to miss the obvious.

At i.e. Fitness, Matthews says the biggest trend he saw last year as the continued acceptance and understanding of the importance of strength training for overall health and wellness.

“With so many diverse gym and fitness options in the Hinsdale area to choose from, we’re seeing more and more people realize how amazingly efficient strength training is,” he says. “No matter the gender, strength training is among the very best options to lose weight, gain muscle, and increase energy.”

Kohn sees the same trend at Club Pilates.

Strength and flexibility aids functional movement in everyday life. She says that Pilates can be incorporated into a daily wellness routine to relieve chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain by developing better posture and a stronger core.

“A regular practice also strengthens muscles that aren’t targeted by other workouts and improves performance in other sports and workouts,” she adds.

Common Sense Nutrition

Fad diets are out. Old fashioned nutrition and smart eating are in. The challenge, according to Boules, is that while optimal nutrition is “simple,” it’s never “easy.”

“Incorporating a plan becomes easier when it’s custom-tailored and backed with coaching and support, which is what I do,” she explains, adding: “We are starting to turn away from the diet mentality and instead embracing a philosophy that is more intuitive and mindful. It’s the only approach that addresses emotional eating and your specific needs.  In my experience, it’s the singular method that will yield beneficial results and last a lifetime.”

At Nourished Table, Napleton is noticing a similar trend.

“People are seeking healthier food options,” she says. “With education from our classes and coaching—and greater general awareness—people have become more mindful of the fuel that they put into their bodies and its impact on overall health and well-being.”

Whether you choose one of these businesses or chart your own plan, the oldest piece of advice still holds true—you are what you eat.

RESOURCES

Inspired to start 2019 off on healthier path? Here is how you can reach all the experts who were interviewed for this feature:
Club Pilates of Westmont clubpilates.com
i.e. Fitness ie-fitness.com
Inner Jasmine Yoga and Wellness innerjasmine.com
Nourished table nourished.com
Barbie Boules Longevity Nutrition barbieboules.com
Plate 28 plate28.com