January 3, 2010 Some thoughts about New Year’s resolutions This is the time of year when there are stories in the news and on television about making New Year’s resolutions. Questions are asked from friends about what you are going to do when the New Year starts. I have to admit it is interesting; and I am sure it has good intentions for a number of people. I think the average length of time that a person remembers what they put down on January 1st is about three months or less. Now, if the person is really serious, they write it down and put a note on the refrigerator door with a cute magnet. This way it becomes a constant reminder of what they are attempting to do with the promise they made. Making resolutions is fun, and some of the efforts are well intentioned. The resolutions can be for almost anything that comes to mind. It might be about taking a trip to some faraway place, or a visit to long ago friends that you have not seen for years. Some people will want to learn a new talent or skill. Many that are publicized seem to be about changing some bad habit in your lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, losing weight or starting an exercise program. These are very good resolutions; and if it takes a resolution to get that person started making a healthful change in their life, then it is a very worthwhile attempt. While many resolutions are made with the intention of doing the resolution alone, without any help, it seems that if a person is really serious about their resolution, sometimes it takes a little outside help. For instance, if you put down that you want to learn to play the guitar this year, it is easier to pay someone to give you lessons and get started on the correct way of learning to play. The same thing can be said for resolutions that are concerned with fitness and health changes in your life. I have talked with a number of people that want to start a fitness program, but are not sure how to go about it. A resolution of running a marathon this year, when you have never been much of a runner, is a difficult resolution to complete. It is easier to join the San Marcos Runners Club and start running with a group on Tuesday nights, and meet some of the runners that are planning on running a marathon. You will have someone to run with and find a program that will gradually lead you to be able to run a marathon next fall. It just takes a little outside help. If you want to lose weight, or just start a weightlifting program, it is good to meet up with a personal trainer and get some direction. One of the best reasons for hiring a trainer is that there is a monetary investment; and when the scheduled time is set, there is someone there waiting for you. Having someone else be part of your commitment is more of an influence then you might think. I have set the alarm for 5:15 a.m. to run with someone at 6:00 a.m. that morning. If for some reason that other person let me know that they were not going to be able to make it that morning, the odds were very good that my hand would hit the alarm to shut it off, and the covers would stay in place where it was warm and sensible. But, if they were going to be there, then I was going to be there also. There are eight or more fitness venues in San Marcos, and every one of them has personal trainers available for you. If you want to make a good resolution stick, then sometimes it might cost a little money to make it work. It pays to check out the various gyms as to cost, available hours, qualifications of their personal trainers, facilities for changing clothes and showers in the building, and what type of equipment they have for your particular goal. If it helps, talk to a friend to join you and keep you going all year; and if not, find a source that will guide you to make this New Year’s resolution one that you keep. Whether you start a program of walking, jogging, running, weightlifting, bicycling, swimming, dancing, or doing ten push-ups and 20 sit-ups when you wake up, making a positive change toward good health and fitness is a great way to start a New Year. Dr. Maurice Johnson - better known around San Marcos as “Moe” - is a professor in the Department of Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance at Texas State University - San Marcos. Moe has been a fixture in the San Marcos running community - both as a runner and race organizer - since way back when Moby Dick was a minnow. His column on running and fitness appears each Sunday in the Sports section of the San Marcos Daily Record. • Recent “Running With Moe” Columns • Home • About the Club • Current News • Club Runs • Places To Run • TX Running Clubs • Running Links • Useful Stuff Upcoming Races • Race Results • Country Roads 10K & Kids Run • ARA-Moe’s Better Half Marathon • “Running With Moe” Contact Us!