Marsh column: Keeping those new year's resolutions

Q. Each year I make New Year's resolutions I can't keep. What can I do this year to keep my New Year's resolutions?

A. I know so many readers are feeling your pain! The busiest time in the health and fitness industry is the first couple of months in the new year. Out of experience, I have found out that if I can keep our "New Year's resolution" members committed for three months, they actually stick with it!

So how do we do that? I run a program this upcoming year which is called "Y for Life!"

It runs Jan. 12- March 30 and it is a healthy lifestyle support program where we provide the tools to keep you motivated, educated, and dedicated.

It is $25 for members and $150 for non-members (includes three month membership). Other places like Weight Watchers and other health and fitness places have specials going on to get you on the right track and help you keep your New Year's resolution.

Now, one other important part of keeping your New Year's resolution is: are you ready? Believe that you CAN do it! Too many people set resolutions expecting to fail. That is not how we want to start the new year! Let that be one of your goals.

Here are some tips to help you keep your goals:

- With these tough economic times, stick with your beliefs, your family, your friends. They will always be there for you.

- Join a program that will help and assist you to keep your goal you have set for yourself.

- Make sure that your goal is reachable! Too many people set their goals to high or just have too many goals to keep.

- Exercise because you want to get/be healthy. Let weight loss be a "perk."

- Exercise does not have to hurt! Especially in the beginning. Eventually you can start challenging your body more and start "enjoying" the burn

- Being nice and respectful to people is a wonderful resolution to set for yourself (which can be very hard to keep). If it does not come natural try it, and if needed try it again, eventually the benefits will make you want to be nice and respectful to more people. Remember this: If you can't say anything nice at all, don't say a word.

- Find something that you can handle doing forever. If you truly hate the activity you are doing you will eventually quit. Try lots of different activities you might be surprised what you will like.

- Last but surely not least ... live your life! When you constantly complain and don't do anything about it who's to blame? Little baby steps at a time. Little goals at a time. You "fall off the wagon"—climb back on! Just don't give up.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year and I hope to see you soon!

Ester Marsh is associate executive director of the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA. Contact her with health and fitness questions at 704-636-0111 or emarsh@rowan ymca.com.