Maritimers focus on healthier lifestyles as 2026 gets underway

Maritimers hit the gym to shape-up for 2026.

Many Maritimers are focusing on healthier lifestyles and increased physical activity in the new year.

“The numbers we are seeing are great. It’s the busiest time of year. A lot of people are full of energy off the holidays and realize they are ready to work towards those resolutions,” says Matt Short, head coach at the 360fit gym.

Mallory Malloy, a regular at this gym, says she has made fitness a part of her lifestyle.

“I think that moving your body, not just at the gym, is really important for mental health,” says Malloy.

Tom Ransom is an endocrinologist and says a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference and this is the time of year when people are motivated to take this on.

“Going for walks, being active and avoiding excessive sedentary lifestyle but it had to be within the constraints of somebody’s life. We don’t all have to get out and run,” says Ransom.

ParticipACTION says people should take part in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week.

The recently released an adult report card that shares key findings from Canadians’ physical activity patterns.

“Our previous report card had physical activity at around 49 per cent and that was data before COVID and the adult report card was before that was in the mid to low 40s as well. The issue is that we are seeing a flat line, which is good that we are not losing physical activity, but we could be gaining so much more by gaining physical activity,” says Markus Duncan, ParticipACTION data scientist.

Williams works out at 360fit and says the gym has been a regular part of her day for the past two years.

“I started the gym right after mat leave as most women can relate and I not only wanted to get back into shape and feel good but also a role model for my daughter to show her you can be healthy in so many different ways,” says Williams.

Janette Beaver comes to the gym five or six days a week and works with a personal trainer

“I come here to feel good. It’s a really good stress reliever among anything else. I believe that a lot of people should be working on building muscle and getting stronger,” says Beaver. “I have two boys, so it is incredibly important for me to be strong for them.

In recent years, weight loss drugs like Ozempic have become popular, but experts warn this is not an alternative to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“We do see several people on it or in the process of starting it or weaning off of it. For me it’s like any pharmaceutical that does what it’s supposed to do but the key with Ozempic is when you’re on it is going to be managing your diet and training properly,” says Short.

Ransom says in the last few decades obesity rates have increased but so has the awareness surrounding it.

“The medications such as Ozempic are prescribed always in conjunction with a patient optimizing their lifestyle. I would never consider it an alternative or as a ‘way out.’ Their medications and a healthy lifestyle have more benefits besides weight loss and sugar control for patients with diabetes,” says Ransom. “It will be interesting with what the year holds, given there is a potential for generic Ozempic potentially by summer.”

Experts say it’s important to continue to be active while on Ozempic.

“Taking these kinds of GLP-1 inhibitors can actually cause reductions in muscle mass and bone density so it’s really important to stay active even when you are taking any time of medication really,” says Duncan.