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Glen Ellyn, IL —
Full parking lots, packed classes and gym newbies are typical sights at fitness centers in January with countless Americans making New Year’s resolutions to lose weight.
Although only 38 percent of Americans said they made a resolution for 2012 — the lowest number since 2004, according to a poll by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion — the most common resolution this year is losing weight.
For personal trainers, that means January is a busy but ideal time to share their knowledge with people who’ve possibly never been to a gym before.
At HealthTrack Sports and Wellness in Glen Ellyn, the gym gets an average of 3,603 extra visits in January compared to an average month.
“I absolutely love it,” said fitness director Deanna Castro, a personal trainer who’s worked at HealthTrack for 14 years. “I love the energy and the positivity.”
Castro said early March is when the numbers start shrinking at the gym, but there are ways for people to push through the rough months and finish strong until the end of the year.
According to the Marist Institute, a survey research center at Marist College in New York that measures public opinion, 18 percent of Americans said they want to lose weight and 11 percent said they want to exercise more.
Data from the institute said that among those who made a New Year’s resolution going into 2011, 67 percent reported they kept their word for at least part of the year, while 33 percent didn’t according.
But Castro and other personal trainers, such as Sue Gambla, who’s been a trainer at HealthTrack for six years, have advice for keeping fitness resolutions.
Castro said the bottom line is that people who work out in the morning are more consistent. Those who work out at night run into more conflicts with other activities and often have excuses of being too busy or having to go home to their families that prevent them from working out.
Gambla said one way she keeps her clients focused on their goals is to make everyone in the class “one big sweaty family.”
“That way it’s not just me keeping them accountable, but other people in the class,” she said. “It’s so important to know that people are out there working with you. Encouraging you.”
In fact, she said those who work out with others might have an easier time reaching their weight loss goals.
“Work out with a buddy,” Castro said. “You’re more apt to do it if someone is counting on you.”
Full parking lots, packed classes and gym newbies are typical sights at fitness centers in January with countless Americans making New Year’s resolutions to lose weight.
Although only 38 percent of Americans said they made a resolution for 2012 — the lowest number since 2004, according to a poll by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion — the most common resolution this year is losing weight.
For personal trainers, that means January is a busy but ideal time to share their knowledge with people who’ve possibly never been to a gym before.
At HealthTrack Sports and Wellness in Glen Ellyn, the gym gets an average of 3,603 extra visits in January compared to an average month.
“I absolutely love it,” said fitness director Deanna Castro, a personal trainer who’s worked at HealthTrack for 14 years. “I love the energy and the positivity.”
Castro said early March is when the numbers start shrinking at the gym, but there are ways for people to push through the rough months and finish strong until the end of the year.
According to the Marist Institute, a survey research center at Marist College in New York that measures public opinion, 18 percent of Americans said they want to lose weight and 11 percent said they want to exercise more.
Data from the institute said that among those who made a New Year’s resolution going into 2011, 67 percent reported they kept their word for at least part of the year, while 33 percent didn’t according.
But Castro and other personal trainers, such as Sue Gambla, who’s been a trainer at HealthTrack for six years, have advice for keeping fitness resolutions.
Castro said the bottom line is that people who work out in the morning are more consistent. Those who work out at night run into more conflicts with other activities and often have excuses of being too busy or having to go home to their families that prevent them from working out.
Gambla said one way she keeps her clients focused on their goals is to make everyone in the class “one big sweaty family.”
“That way it’s not just me keeping them accountable, but other people in the class,” she said. “It’s so important to know that people are out there working with you. Encouraging you.”
In fact, she said those who work out with others might have an easier time reaching their weight loss goals.
“Work out with a buddy,” Castro said. “You’re more apt to do it if someone is counting on you.”
Even though trainers have tips for keeping residents motivated, they also cautioned that it’s important not to expect too much.
According to Castro, a realistic and healthy goal is to lose one or two pounds per week.
“And two pounds is aggressive. If the goal is too big and too much, you can’t do it long-term,” she said. “There’s no quick fix... It’s a lifestyle change.”
Other resolutions
While 18 percent of Americans said they want to lose weight, 11 percent said they want to exercise more, 9 percent said they want to spend less money and 9 percent said they want to stop smoking.
Last year’s top resolution was to stop smoking.
By the numbers: Obesity statistics
-According to the March 2011 report on the county’s health rankings, 25 percent of adults in DuPage County are reported as obese.
-According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 33.8 percent of U.S. adults were obese in 2010.
-The CDC also reported that in 2010, 17 percent of children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 were obese.
