Your New Year's Exercise Resolution – A Promise to Yourself You Can Keep
Last edited Fri Jan 1, 2016, 01:37 PM - Edit history (1)
Each year about this time hundreds of thousands of people nationwide finally decide that they need to start exercising. These folks have many different reasons or combinations of reasons for starting an exercise program again, or maybe for the first time. They may be tired of being out of shape, they may have gained too many pounds, they may not like what they see in the mirror, they may be following doctors orders....and the list goes on and on. There is one thing many of these folks have in common....they intend to stick with their new exercise program at least until their goals are achieved, and perhaps for the rest of their lives. Far too many have something else in common…they will fail, and they will fail miserably.
People start exercise programs throughout the year, but early January sees the biggest number of new exercisers by far. After overeating through the holidays, for these folks it is a time of new beginnings, for New Year’s resolutions. Every January, health clubs across the nation brace for the onslaught of new members, many confidently signing contracts for several months or even a full year’s membership to take advantage of lower rates.
Veteran gym rats like me patiently put up with crowded aerobic machines and stand in line for weight machines while the new folks try to figure out how they work. We endure this stoically because most of us understand that it is this sudden influx of new members, and the new money they bring in, that allows many health clubs to continue to provide services for long time members like ourselves throughout the rest of the year. And more importantly we know from long experience that by the middle of March most of the “New Year resolutioners” (as we call them) will be gone, and we will again have the clubs to ourselves. I have spoken to others who participate in other types of exercises program and they relate the same situation. It seems that most folks are far better at starting new exercise programs than sticking with them.
As I watched this phenomenon repeat itself year after year, I began to try to figure out how people who begin working out with the best of intentions and resolve can ultimately be more successful. If you are one of those people who is seriously considering starting an exercise program, I have come up with some suggestions below that will hopefully increase your chances for success. Maybe some of these suggestions will not work for you. However, I truly believe that you can use at least some of my suggestions to successfully to make exercise a part of your life - not for a month, or even for a year, but for the rest of your time on earth. No one can guarantee your success. In fact from what I have seen the odds are against you; it certainly appears that far more people drop out than succeed. However, I believe that if you can make some of these concepts work for you, you can be one of those people who defy the odds. Here are my suggestions:
The article then goes on to provide a number of suggestions with titles like, "Chose an exercise you enjoy", "Start slowly" "How to overcome excuses" etc. Good reading for everyone who is intent on starting an exercise program and is determined to stick with it. You can access the rest of the article here: Your New Year's Exercise Resolution – A Promise to Yourself You Can Keep
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More room for them at the gym w/out me, I say. I take walks with my dog and that is quite enough for me 
was pretty much always one of those "resolutioners" you speak of. Never lasted for more than a few weeks. Sorry for the inconvenience. 
Lately, I've just been trying to walk and eat right for now. Have seen a little improvement in weight, etc, but much more to do. No worries, though, I've given up donating to your gym. 
I'll be doing it the old fashioned way. Besides, we have a small weight/workout room in the apartment building I can generally get into. Fancy, expensive plans and toys ain't for me.
....anything you can do which gets you moving instead of sitting on your butt (like I'm doing right now 
) is a heck of a lot better than nothing.
I have to admit though that without the New Year's resolutioners, a lot of fitness centers would have to close their doors.
there is often a bit of resentment/air of superiority expressed, albeit generally subliminally, from the workout community. Nice attitude.
We all do what we can. And yeah, this computer doesn't help.
