Center for Health and Wellness member Tony Surles works out on some of the equipment. He is three days strong in his attempt to lose weight, something he resolved to do after being diagnosed with kidney problems.
Kristy Bland, the sales and marketing manager of the Center for Health and Wellness, explained in an interview that she does see a number of people come in this time each year with the goal of losing weight.
“Last year, we had 152 people join just in January,” said Bland. She estimated that the top months for any given year at the Wellness Center is December and January.
With each new crop of clients, she advises that there are ways to help make their goal stick after they join the Wellness Center rather than fading away with memories of those resolutions made on Jan. 1.
“I would say that they need to put their health first, make that their top priority,” said Bland. When someone joins the Wellness Center, Bland stated that a staff of skilled fitness experts will advise them on a set of fitness goals and assess the level in which they need to begin.
Of the 152 who joined up last January, she calculated that the majority have stayed the course and have maintained their memberships.
“They came in and developed a routine of coming here,” Bland explained.
In addition to making their resolution stick, Bland explained that a number have seen additional benefits such as lowering their blood pressure.
One person who has already started working towards weight loss that he plans to continue into the new year and beyond is Sampson County resident Tony Surles,. He said he felt compelled to change his fitness habits after his doctor informed him of some kidney problems he was experiencing.
“My doctor said that if I lost some weight, it would help me keep my kidney function,” said Surles.
Having just joined three days ago, Surles is optimistic that the Wellness Center will help him keep his fitness goals in sight.
While many will be heading to the gym once they resolve to lose weight, some may be considering eradicating their smoking habits.
According to WhyQuit.com, almost 90 percent of all successful nonsmokers choose to do it cold turkey.
The website also advises people not to carry cigarettes around, make a list of reasons to not smoke and to tell people that you have quit smoking. Other suggestions for quitting smoking can be found on the website.
With so many resolving to make changes, some urge people to make decisions rather than resolutions.
The Rev. Tim Ameen, minister of Immanual Baptist Church, stressed that it is always better to make a decision and stick to it, rather than resolving to do something.
“I urge people to make decisions and take steps, conceivable steps,” said Ameen. He pointed out that the majority of people who make resolutions don’t ever stay true to them.
“They resolve to do something and two weeks later, they have forgotten about it,” the pastor explained.
He also noted that once a person makes a decision, he would then need to ask himself what he can do to make that healthier choice.
“You also need a measurable goal of what you can actually look for. By just looking at the larger picture, the goal may seem insurmountable,” Ameen explained.
He elaborated that by setting small goals, dreams of losing weight or kicking the cigarette habit can actually be obtainable.
Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@heartlandpublications.com.
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