Stick with New Year’s resolutions at the fitness center

  • Published
  • By Peter Hofmann
  • contributing writer
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A packed gym locker room, more joggers on the roads and an increase of commercials on TV advertising health food and weight loss programs.

Yes, the New Year has started. Last year's resolutions about weight loss, change of eating habits and other health and behavior-related changes have long been forgotten. However, this is the year everything is going to work.

But what is so different about this year compared to last year or the year before that? The staff at the Hanscom fitness center observes the same phenomenon every year.

"We call them the New Year's resolutioners," said Paul Shoesmith, Hanscom Fitness and Sports Center operations director. "Every January the number of visitors to our gym increases by approximately 50 percent, but it goes back to normal just a few weeks into the year."

So what is the key to successful resolutions? According to Jocelyn K. Glei's article, "Simplify Your New Year's Resolution Process: Reflect, Select, Remove," on www.The99Percent.com, the key to successful New Year's resolutions is to keep them simple and obtainable.

She recommends setting one to three meaningful goals that will make an impact in one's life, whether it's in regard to fitness, family or any other personal goal. A person should outline a clear plan how to achieve them and a "Plan B" in case of setbacks or distractions.

An organized approach to set goals is not limited to fitness or health alone, of course. Any goal that had been put off for some time, or a future plan, can be tackled by approaching it systematically, experts recommend. People who have always thought about finishing that degree or mastering a promotion test may think about setting a timeframe in which they can achieve these goals, one step at a time.

Of course, everybody has commitments such as job and family that may stand in their way. Keep in mind, successful resolutions require a change of behavior and breaking of old patterns.

"Together with the Health and Wellness Center (HAWC), the Hanscom Fitness Center offers all the tools and resources one needs," said Shoesmith, "And the gym doesn't only offer courses coached by certified trainers, such as boxing or Zumba. We also soon will have a brand new fitness on request kiosk that all ID-card holders can use free of charge."

The kiosk, which should be operational later this month, is connected to a video screen and offers hundreds of different workouts visitors can choose from.

"I promise," Shoesmith said, "there will be a workout for everybody."

To find out more about the new fitness on request kiosk and a full listing of all classes offered at the Hanscom Fitness and Sports Center, call 781-225-6630 or 781-225-6631 or stop by at the front desk during regular business hours.