Do You Make New Year’s Resolutions?

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?

Jen Johnson, manager of JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center, said she’s a big fan of people setting goals to improve their health – but not necessarily a fan of New Year’s resolutions.

“When we think about New Year’s resolutions, we tend to think of huge, grand changes that are lofty and hard to achieve, even for the most disciplined people,” Johnson said. “I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, because in making them we often seem to set ourselves up to give up before we can reach the goal.”

Johnson recommends is that people who set fitness goals start small and set realistic, achievable goals.

She suggests: “Instead of ‘I want to lose 30 pounds,’ start with ‘I want to find a type of fitness I enjoy doing.’ Instead of ‘I am starting a diet,’ take one or two menu items and replace them with something better.  One cup of coffee can be replaced with one glass of water.  One night a week that is usually a pizza night can be a ‘try a new veggie’ night. Instead of ‘I’m going to save up $1,000, start saving $10 per week.’ Smaller, more manageable goals are more fun because you will feel successful, and that snowballs into wanting to set more and more small achievable goals! These will add up and before you even realize it you have found fitness you loved, lost weight, felt better with your new favorite veggie meals and have a little bit more money in the bank.  Let’s start up some good foundational habits and feel better in 2022!”

And don’t feel goals can only be set at the start of a New Year. Goals can be set any time. The Burkley Fitness Center offers a wide variety of ways you can keep fit – cardio and weight equipment, a pool, and many types of classes.

“If you will share with us your fitness goals, we can help you learn the best ways to work toward the goals, and you can try out a wide variety of exercise to find one that you truly enjoy. For some, classes are excellent because they also provide time to socialize with others who are working toward their fitness goals,” Johnson said.