Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008
Over 300 pounds and on the verge of developing diabetes, Juan Richardson knew he had to change his lifestyle for the sake of his health.
So in June he started going to the gym regularly and so far Richardson has lost more than 70 pounds. His New Year’s resolution is to keep going.
‘‘I was way overweight,” Richardson said, taking a break from lifting weights at the World Gym Express in Upper Marlboro. ‘‘My health keeps me coming in here just about every day to work out.”
It’s the time of year that many decide to adopt a healthier lifestyle through New Year’s resolutions; a notion not lost on local gyms. Some see their membership jump at least 15 percent as people pledge to lose weight and eat right.
‘‘The gym will be packed from January to March or April,” said Greg Tayman, manager of World Gym. ‘‘New Year, new you. Everyone wants to get fit.”
Tayman said he is expecting a significant membership increase this month and already saw a slight increase in the gym’s 1,300-person membership in December.
Linda Copeland, owner of Breakthrough Fitness in Upper Marlboro, said she typically sees a 10 to 15 percent increase in membership at her personal training studio.
‘‘A lot of people join particularly after the holidays when people know they’ve eaten a little too much,” Copeland said. ‘‘For the last several years I’ve also seen preemptive New Year’s resolutions starting in November and December.”
The trick with New Year’s resolutions however, is making them stick.
To keep the commitment going, Tayman suggests keeping workouts interesting and fun. Even if people have only 30 minutes to workout he said in the long run it will add up.
While maintaining a steady pace on a treadmill at World Gym Bill Cornman explained his goal is to lose 100 pounds. For support Cornman, of Waldorf, works out with his adult daughter when she visits.
‘‘When we work out together she gives me inspiration,” Cornman said.
If people are having trouble finding an activity they can commit to Copeland suggests revisiting their childhood.
‘‘If you don’t know what appeals to you then look back to what you liked to do as a kid,” Copeland said. ‘‘Put one foot in front of the other and start something.”
E-mail Andrea Noble at anoble@gazette.net.
