As we approach that time of year, everyone starts going full force on their holiday food and alcohol binges. They use excuses such as holiday parties, family gatherings, high stress levels, and hectic schedules to justify their behavioral habits. Many of the avid gym goers who go to the gym ALL YEAR long, complain about the surge of newbies that enters the facility starting in January and staying until maybe February to start their fitness journey. The month of March is when things usually go back to normal and most of the resolutioners will reside back into their old habits, because they have failed to make any progress. They will get discouraged and blame everything as to why they were unsuccessful in adapting a continuing fitness lifestyle. The truth of the matter is if you truly want to be fit and healthy, you will be because as with most things you will make sacrifices in order to achieve your goals. If there are no sacrifices than there is no personal growth and the bad habits will continue to occur until a life altering health event happens and you are forced to do something for yourself. There are many comments on both sides of the discussion as to how much of an inconvenience the resolutioners are vs. we should be supportive of people wanting to become better individuals discussion.
VIEWPOINT #1
Resolutioners Are Annoying
I’ve heard this from friends, read it on Tumblr, and even thought it myself at times. People post about being annoyed that the gym is packed, and it is harder to get a workout in. Admittedly, it is annoying when the gym is packed, at ANY point during the year, now just new years. I mean, I get annoyed on Mondays when the gym is really packed…yet empty on Friday evenings.
Here are some quotes I found on Tumblr:
“Doesn’t it suck when you want to go workout but you also don’t want to because all the friggin resolutioners are taking up all the machines”
“I hate new years when everyone’s resolution is to “lose weight’ or ‘get fit”. i understand the desire the lose weight, that’s why we joined the gym. but we did it in august. not because it was a new year or whatever. we did it because we felt we needed to, not because society said we should.”
I understand the second quote a bit because it is interesting to me that so many people choose Jan. 2 to get fit or healthy. I understand it is a new year, but I also wonder how many people thought about starting to work out in October or November, but said “I’ll wait until the new year.” Why wait? You could stop the holiday bulge by starting early and continuing through the holiday season.
VIEWPOINT #2
Be Supportive
For individuals who are their all year long, they can be considered gym snobs when the resolutioners descend upon the facility like wild animals onto an easy kill. I am completely supportive of people starting a fitness journey, I do not believe that it can only be started in January however.
Here are some quotes I found on Tumblr:
“Is the inconvenience to me worth more than the health of others? Hell no. New Years Resolutioners, I urge you to continue to work out, kick ass, and drive me a little insane. ;)”
Keep in mind, some of us find it easier to stick to a healthy, fit lifestyle than others… Imagine how discouraging it would be to have people making fun of your efforts! Instead of mocking the “newbies”, we should encourage them to keep working toward their goals! Remember, we all had to start somewhere!
I do also agree with these quotes. We did all have to start somewhere, and it’s very possible many of us started on a January 2nd, and are still living up to our old resolution.
While I can see both sides to this “controversy,” here is what I hope: I hope that those who are hitting the gym next week continue to do so throughout the year. I hope those wanting to start a healthy lifestyle can maintain it.
If your resolution is to go to the gym and eat healthier, I hope you crush it! Take those statistics and kick their @$$. You have a “365 page book” ahead of you, with blank pages. It is up to you as to what you fill those pages with. If you find that you are struggling through the fitness journey and need some guidance and help along the way, please ask for help that is why we are here. For those of you that need a solution, Xcellerated Speed Training “Where Excellence is a Commitment, Not an OPTION!” is your answer. www.xspeedtraining.com