New YearB次元官网网址檚 resolutions have been a part of human nature for millennia.
The month of January was actually named for the Roman god Janus, who supposedly had two faces B次元官网网址� one facing backward to review what had happened in the past, and one looking forward to the future. The Romans also believed that Janus could forgive them for their misdeeds of the past and help them to achieve a better life in the coming year.
With that in mind, itB次元官网网址檚 no surprise that January has traditionally been the month for resolutions and, as a consequence of that tradition, a time when local gyms see a sudden influx of fresh faces. They come in droves, cautiously eyeing the variety of exercise machines or shivering their way into swimming pools for what they hope will be the beginning of a healthier lifestyle.
For some regular gym-goers, itB次元官网网址檚 a time they dread.
A regular at the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island facility in Westhills, Mike Primeau, was philosophical.
B次元官网网址淚 know that there will be a lot of people coming in January, but thatB次元官网网址檚 okay. I just try to come at less busy times,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淎s far as offering advice? I hesitate to offer advice since IB次元官网网址檝e been one of those people myself in the past. All I can say is make your goals attainable. If you donB次元官网网址檛, youB次元官网网址檒l get discouraged and drop off. Just make it a habit and keep coming.B次元官网网址�
The influx of people with resolutions isnB次元官网网址檛 lost on staff who know that January is a very busy month.
B次元官网网址淓very January we see a ton of new people coming into our facility. I guess itB次元官网网址檚 because of New YearB次元官网网址檚 resolutions to get more fit and lose weight, and itB次元官网网址檚 true that many of those people wonB次元官网网址檛 last too long before they go back to their old ways,B次元官网网址� said Sandy Dowell, aquatic co-ordinator at the YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island facility in Westhills.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a common phenomenon that led to a study at the University of Scranton. In the Journal of Clinical Psychology researchers reported that resolutions tend to reflect short-term thinking, leading to only about eight per cent of resolutions being successful.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a finding echoed by Timothy Pychyl, an associate professor at Carleton University.
B次元官网网址淢ost people arenB次元官网网址檛 ready to change their habits so they wonB次元官网网址檛 change and thatB次元官网网址檚 why we see the high failure rate,B次元官网网址� Pychyl said.
But Dowell has a more positive outlook on the resolution phenomenon.
B次元官网网址淭he secret that I tell people is to realize that it may have taken years to put on the weight or get out of shape. ItB次元官网网址檚 not something youB次元官网网址檒l solve overnight. The problem is that people today expect instant results, no matter what they do B次元官网网址� instant gratification,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚 tell them to find that gratification in making social connections at the gym, making it a habit, taking it slow and being consistent. Find a part of the routine that you love and make that your motivation, even if itB次元官网网址檚 just talking to some new friends at the gym or pool. Make the time in the hot tub your reward, or going out for coffee (skip the Danish) after your workout. Find something about it you love and concentrate on that. Weight loss and fitness will come along naturally once that workout is a habit.B次元官网网址�
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