Strategies to help your New Year’s resolution stick

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on January 24, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman YMCA of Lethbridge Fitness manager Sheila Gruenhage says the YMCA has seen an increase of over 600 members this month from people setting fitness goals as their new year's resolutions.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

A new year is an opportunity to set new goals for aspects of life, and many choose to set fitness resolutions.

And the YMCA Lethbridge has ways of helping people stick to their goals.

YMCA Lethbridge fitness manager Sheila Gruenhage said they have seen an increase in memberships in the month of January in previous years, including 2023, with people heading to the gym either after taking a break from it to spend time with family and indulge during the holidays, or to embark on new fitness goals as a resolution for the new year.

“A lot of people make resolutions every new year and one of them is fitness and wellness, so we do see the increase in members in January and with that, we try and provide consistent classes in all different levels,” said Gruenhage.

She said they have seen an increase of over 600 members throughout January 2023.

“Our fitness floor has been busier at this time of the year and we also have seen an increase in our classes, in personal training and attendance to other areas of the facility like people playing basketball, families swimming. We do see an increase in population in all the gym with fitness resolutions,” said Gruenhage.

She said some of their new members attend classes to be able to become part of the community and create a sense of accountability with those in the class.

“And with personal training, we do see a little bit of an increase with people making that commitment to themselves to work on their own goals,” said Gruenhage.

She said that even though not everyone who starts their fitness journey based on resolutions see results, many of them do.

“I would say that people do succeed in sticking to their routines in accomplishing their goals, probably about 20 per cent of people have success with sticking to it,” said Gruenhage.

She said the reason why some people do not have as much success with their fitness resolutions might be because they set goals that are too big to begin with.

“For people that have success they often will do small goals, so instead of saying they will change their eating, going to go to bed at a regular time, get more sleep and get more exercise, they simply set a goal to go for a 20 minute walk every day,” said Gruenhage.

She said that another aspect is the way they set their goals. Those who are set on a specific weight loss goal are less likely to succeed.

“Going for a 20-minute walk is easier than saying I need to lose 10 pounds. People see more success when they align their goals with something that is actually attainable,” said Gruenhage.

She said they have ways to help them align their goals. One of them is by answering their questions, also asking them what they are looking to overcome and what goals they are setting for themselves and that way, they create a sort of road map to success.

“Once we know what their goals are we have a starting point, and then we can add new goals and establish routines to get these goals accomplished,” said Gruenhage.

She said one of the small goals they see set by their members is the desire to attend classes at a specific time and with a specific type of exercise, as a way to establish connections with those in the class and create a sense of accountability.

“One of the things that help with success if they attend classes, is that they become accountable through other members with friendships they form, as well as with the instructor and they just feel more positive about coming and making sure they stick to their routine,” said Gruenhage.

She said now that people are more comfortable being around others they seem to be more willing to engage in fitness activities.

“We have seen continual growth in the last year within memberships, so I think people are focusing a lot on health and wellness and spending time with each other,” said Gruenhage.

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