By Heather Jensen Weekend Anchor/Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
From weights to treadmills, many feel the gym is the place to be after new years.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!“Everybody wants to look good,” says Robert Jenkins, General Manager of Fitness for Women in Columbus.
Jenkins has been working in a gym for more than two years. For him, a new year means new memberships.
“January,” he says, “We usually have about 300 to 400 new members coming in. February about that. March about that. New’s resolution, everybody wants to get in shape.”
The odds are not in their favor. Research shows about 50 percent of those who make New Year’s resolutions drop them within six months.
But it doesn't have to be that way with fitness.
“The best thing would be come in 2 to 3 times, just slowly get back into it,” Jenkins says.
Jenkins says to get your heart pumping. Cardio machines can ease you into a fitness routine and help you see results. Once you get going, it’s a good idea to change things up.
“Their body will get used to it and they won't see the results they're looking for so they need to vary it up probably every six weeks,” says Jenkins.
Classes, machines, and weights will keep things interesting. But experts say don't rely on what's in the gym to do all the work. To get in shape, you should shape up what you do in your kitchen.
“Eating is probably the biggest thing. It’s tied in right with your workouts,” Jenkins says. When asked what he would say to those who only want to work out, Jenkins replies, “It’ll take three times as long (to get the weight off).”
Robert Jenkins expects to see a good crowd working out this New Year. He just hopes he'll continue to see them through the year.
“It takes 31 days to create a habit. Once they get past that, if they can stick with it, they're going to stick with it,” he says.
According to Dr. Bernard Davidson with the Medical College of Georgia Health System, keeping your New Year's resolution is as easy as one-two-three.
1. Be committed. Think through what you want to change and commit yourself to the potentially long-term process.
2. Be prepared for setbacks. Don’t give up if you hit a rough patch on the road to change.
3. Track your progress. Celebrating your successes along the way will help keep you motivated.
