For those who have resolved to be more fit in the new year, personal trainer Jake Vopat has some advice.

“Don’t give up because it frustrates you,” he said

Vopat has been a personal trainer for 13 years and has worked at Andalusia Health and Fitness for six.

Fitness has been a very large part of his life, Vopat said.

“I’ve been working out since I was probably 10,” he said.

“For people just starting out, it’s important to set goals and try to make healthier choices in your diet.”

It doesn’t have to be done all at once, Vopat said.

“It’s very much small steps and building up on what you can do.”

It’s all about getting the motivation and actually working out, he said.

“Getting up and going to the gym is most of the battle,” Vopat said. “Even working out for 20 minutes, three days a week will help.”

Vopat says as a trainer, he targets weaknesses.

“Anything that you know you need work on, you should do it more to get better but also keep your strengths up,” he said.

Vopat also says doing research online can help.

“Most of us need a routine and something to follow,” he said.

“Websites and YouTube videos can help with that.”

Vopat said that people thinking of getting fit as entire change in lifestyle.

“It’s not necessarily a change in lifestyle unless you want it to be that way. It’s not a lot of time taken out of your day to work out.”

Setting a goal can help, Vopat said.

“For me, I like to be competitive with myself and others. I set goals and I set out to do better,” he said.

Vopat meets twice a week with most of his clients, but sometimes offers everyday sessions.

“I usually do that if there’s someone who really has no knowledge on fitness and is just starting out.”

For people who feel like they’re not doing enough or feeling like they want to give up, Vopat has some advice.

“There’s going to be a time when you don’t want to work out, it’s about pushing through that and actually doing that. Just keep trying.”

In addition to working as a personal trainer, Vopat works with the Andalusia Police Department.

To contact Vopat, call 334-343-5671 or go to his Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jakevopat.