Imagine, it’s New Year’s Eve, you are partying and chilling with friends and family, when suddenly someone pops the question: What’s your New Year resolution? You are committed and have a long list of what the New Year resolutions for 2024 would be like.
1. Losing weight
2. Eating healthier food
3. Getting more sleep
And the list continues.
As the New Year begins, it serves as an opportunity to set new challenges making a positive alteration in oneself. In the beginning of the New Year, the zeal and enthusiasm to achieve those challenges is high, but maintaining consistency, determination and dedication is the key.
Talking to some of the gym trainers and coaches, Gomantak Times Digital found out that sticking to gym training requires a desire bigger than a dream. It also found out this is the best time of the year to start fitness, meet your fitness goals and start your healthy journey.
Yet, how many keep those fitness resolutions? Sundried conducted a survey with a reach of 4,000 people and found that 43 per cent of the respondents give up on their goals after just one month. Research shows that 95 per cent of New Year’s resolutions are fitness related, but after just three months, only 10 per cent think their resolution will last.
MANY JOIN THE GYM IN JANUARY, BUT QUIT BY MARCH
Aviral Raj Gurung, a callisthenic instructor from North Goa, says, “I prefer to train people who are dedicated to staying fit. There is a lot of motivation that is required when you take up a task like getting fit. At the start of the year, people get very excited and motivated, but it dies down in the next two months. There are many gyms which have New Year offers and people take them up without knowing whether they will stick around.”
I prefer to train people who are dedicated to staying fit. There is a lot of motivation that is required when you take up a task like getting fit. At the start of the year, people get very excited and motivated, but it dies down in the next two months
Aviral Raj Gurung, callisthenic instructor from North Goa
Ravi Sharma, a fitness coach and founder of The Reform Lab in Assagao says, “It’s the mind-set that needs to change and you need to question yourself ‘why am I doing this?’ Setting realistic goals is important. One must understand that change is gradual – you cannot suddenly get up one day and change.”
He adds, “After eating unhealthy for 15 to 20 years – you cannot wake up one New Year’s day and change your habits in a jiffy. It will take time. But after one starts, small milestones matter.” Ravi adds he gets more clients in January as compared to other months of the year.
FITNESS TREND CHANGING POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Days before New Year’s, social media is flooded with posts and reels on how the gyms will be busy on the first day, But some days later, the same gyms are found empty. But Norbert D’Souza, who runs a chain of gyms in the state, has noticed that post the COVID -19 pandemic, things have changed.
“People are now getting very serious about fitness. There are still many who buy memberships and after a few initial months quit. But the change I have seen over the years is overwhelming,” he says and adds, “Every year we get around 60 per cent new entries, but out of these around 20 per cent will quit.”
People are now getting very serious about fitness. There are still many who buy memberships and after a few initial months quit. But the change I have seen over the years is overwhelming
Norbert D’Souza, gym owner
MOTIVATION, DEDICATION AND DISCIPLINE ARE CRUCIAL
Flexcia D’Souza, a fitness enthusiast and an influencer, who two years ago joined the gym as a New Year resolution to get fitter says, “Staying consistent is always a task, especially during busy work days. But despite my hectic schedule, I managed to stay consistent with a lot of motivation from my trainer and friends.”
She adds, “I started setting new goals and sticking to a routine. I also joined my friends for outdoor workouts at the beach and hiking among others. Last year, in June, I also joined calisthenics classes.”
I started setting new goals and sticking to a routine. I also joined my friends for outdoor workouts at the beach and hiking among others. Last year, in June, I also joined calisthenics classes.
Flexcia D’Souza, fitness enthusiast
Priyanka Fernandes, 22, from Panjim says, “I have seen my friends lose a lot of weight and I have challenged them that I will lose weight and show them and now is the time for this as there are many offers flooding from the gyms, so why not avail of them.” Last year too I made the same resolution but this time I’ll definitely lose it (weight), she adds.
A strong and fit body means a strong heart and a strong mind. So, if you want to make your New Year count, then set those realistic fitness goals and power up your 2024.
