FITNESS centres have noticed an increase in the number of locals hitting the gym to beat the bulge after an indulgent festive season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
New Year’s resolutions are often a big motivator for people to lose weight, especially off the back of an often unhealthy holiday period.
Five Star Fitness manager Andrew Edwards said there had been a substantial increase in the number of people sweating it out in January.
“Every year it happens,” Mr Edwards said.
“General health and well-being is something people focus on after all that eating and drinking. And New Year’s resolutions give people the motivation to get back on the road to getting where they want to be.”
He said determined goal setters could make a life-changing decision by establishing a routine now.
“I’ve seen it – it’s not uncommon for people to start in January and for them to work towards a goal and achieve it,” Mr Edwards said.
Setting a New Year’s resolution could provide people with the sufficient push they need to make a lasting change, he said.
“New year, new you – people feel as though they’re doing it for something and starting fresh.”
At Curves it seems many women are waiting a bit longer before getting back on track with their fitness routine.
“February seems to be our time for New Year’s resolutions,” said owner Robyn Hodgson.
With the holiday season still in full swing in Port Macquarie women were still socialising and indulging until school started again, she said.
“We probably don’t get them back to their routines until after February,” Mrs Hodgson said. “And this heat probably doesn’t help.”
The secret, she said, to maintaining your New Year’s resolution is “progression not perfection” and creating a routine and sticking to it.
Allegiance Combat and Fitness Centre has also noted a spike in the number of people with a serious drive to make 2013 their best year yet.
To help motivate members the centre is running a Biggest Loser, Fittest Member competition and a bootcamp in mid-January.
But owner Jason Harris said New Year’s resolutions and weight-loss fads were not necessarily the way to lose weight and keep it off.
“People get a number in their head and if they don’t loose it they get depressed and if they do, they’re wondering what’s next.”
He said the centre focused more on a holistic approach to optimum health and fitness, rather than loosing kilos.
“We’re very much about achieving goals,” Mr Harris said. “We want to get our members fit and healthy, and try to educate people more about living a healthy lifestyle.
“Before they know it, they’ll be looking down wearing a different pair of jeans.”
But for many, achieving a New Year’s goal would mean undertaking a complete lifestyle change.