Shortly after the holidays, New Year’s resolutions of fitness are turning into action. According to Statista, a global data platform, resolutions of eating healthier, exercising more and losing weight are among the most popular resolutions this year after saving money.
Before welcoming patrons back to the Wade King Recreation Center after the holidays, the operations staff hold an annual meeting to prepare for the influx in attendance, according to Hinano Gomes, desk attendant at the rec.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in the amount of people in the rec center. It was just demo week for all of our fitness classes, and a lot of people came to those too,” Gomes said. “We had no more boxing gloves at the equipment desk. It was crazy.”
This increase in attendance is evident at other fitness centers in Bellingham. Sarah Schmitt, manager of City Gym, said this rise in participation is typical after the holidays.
“We’ve definitely had more people try out our cycle classes and our yoga classes in the evening than we had in the fall,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt explained that both new people signing up for memberships and recurring guests getting back into their class routines contribute to this rise in attendance.
At the start of this year, Audrey Ronoh, a Western Washington University student, set a goal to start going to the gym and has been persistent ever since.
“Even if I’m there for 20 minutes, I just tell myself, ‘That's OK, you went today,’” Ronoh said. In addition to exercising, she said she wants to train herself to have a better mindset and better handle self-conflict.
For others, fitness resolutions can build toward consistency. Ace Price, a second-year Western student, has been on a weight-loss journey for a little over a year. Price’s resolution for this year was to continue pursuing his weight-loss goals, even though they didn’t start out as a resolution.
“I used to be 250 pounds, and I have lost 65,” Price said. “I’m still looking to lose more and gain more muscle as well.”
Price said that setting smaller goals and figuring out how to actually obtain them worked better for him than working towards a larger goal.
“Rather than saying, ‘I need to lose 80 pounds’ or something crazy, let's lose 5 pounds or 10 pounds,” Price said.
Before developing strategies to help him stay consistent with his goals, Price had to master his routine. Once he figured out a regime that worked best for him, Price could focus on maintaining those practices.
“I think the hardest thing about weight loss is routine in both your schedule and your eating habits and maintaining a decent workout schedule,” Price said.
Gomes recommends utilizing the personal trainers and classes at the rec center as a starting point for a fitness resolution.
“I think trying group fitness classes can help because it provides accountability and a community setting,” Schmitt said.
In addition to finding a personal trainer or an accountability buddy to help gym-goers stay consistent, Schmitt said that creating a specific plan for how to achieve your goals can make a big difference.
“I would say the most important parts are building your systems and coming up with plans to overcome barriers,” Schmitt said. “If you always have an extra plan to overcome those barriers, then you don’t feel discouraged and feel like you’re constantly restarting.”
Ronoh emphasized the importance of putting yourself and your well-being first, even if that means postponing your resolutions.
“Try not to be super hard on yourself about everything, including your goals,” Ronoh said. “If you don’t meet them now, that doesn't mean that you will never meet them.”
Price said that being consistent, dedicated and putting in the hard work all pays off in the long run.
“At the risk of sounding cliché, don’t give up,” Price said. “I look at pictures of myself a year ago and look at myself in the mirror today, and I would’ve regretted giving up halfway through because I feel amazing, I look amazing, and I love who I am now. Not just physically but also mentally.”
Sophia Raymond (she/her) is a city life reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a second-year journalism major. Outside of The Front, she enjoys crafting and cooking new foods.
You can reach her at sophiaraymond.thefront@gmail.com.
