(BPT) – With the time for New Year’s resolutions right around the corner, many people look to the winter season as the perfect time to get in shape and back into the right wellness regime.

Few people know the benefits of capitalizing on New Year’s as a fresh start better than Beverly Hills-based personal trainer Gunnar Peterson. For more than 20 years, Peterson has helped clients ranging from celebrities, professional athletes and everyday people to push boundaries to improve their health.

“There is no better time than now to get started,” explains Peterson. “All it takes is a simple commitment to better living.”

Check out these simple steps for getting the most out of your workout:

Fuel up: Nutrition is an important part of any workout. In order to have ample energy, consume a small meal, such as two daily servings of fruits or vegetables, at least 90 minutes before you train. Also make sure to eat a high-protein snack within 30 minutes following your exercise to refuel and rebuild.

Take time to recover: Reward yourself after an intense fitness session by getting a massage once every two weeks. Not only will you feel great, but it will reduce lactic acid build up and increase blood flow. To save on costs, ask a friend or partner. Your mind and body will thank you.

Stay fresh: Crunched for time? If you don’t have time to hit the showers right after a workout, there are some easy ways to freshen up for your trek home or next stop. Keep a small bag of travel-sized toiletries in your gym bag with essentials like a toothbrush, an extra stick of deodorant and one of Peterson’s post-fitness must-haves – a travel pack of Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Wipes – to help feel clean and refreshed after a sweat session.

Equip yourself: If you are starting a new program, sometimes a new pair of shoes or a new playlist can provide the right motivation. Your old gear might be worn out and not up to the task. Proper training equipment can make or break your workout routine; it’s not just about fashion.

Mix it up: Switching up your fitness routine is a great way to maximize your workout and stay motivated. For example, combine resistance training with cardio and mix up the order week by week. Start by doing resistance training before your cardio for one week, then switch it up, doing cardio first followed by resistance training. Follow this pattern week by week for at least four weeks and your body will respond to the change-up.

To help people stay focused on getting fit and feeling fresh, Peterson recently named a post workout routine of using Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Wipes and Cottonelle Ultra Comfort Care Toilet Paper. He calls it “Two Rep Fresh.” You can name the routine too for a chance to win a year supply of Cottonelle products. For more information and tips from Peterson, visit www.facebook.com/cottonelle.