Beginning January 1, millions of people will chase their New Year’s resolution of losing weight or becoming more fit. I haven’t researched any data, but I would bet that fitness related businesses see a huge boom in sales during January. I’ve been there before… once spending over $700 for a family membership to the local YMCA that I rarely used. It was a complete waste of time and money for me, and a source of embarrassment. I felt like every time I walked into the Y, people knew that I was new and that I probably wouldn’t last more than a month or two (they were right!). I’m not sure why I didn’t succeed. Maybe I wasn’t motivated enough; maybe I was felt like I was a fatty that would look like a loser compared to the real gym rats. I don’t know for sure, but I do know that the worst part for me was that raging thought in the back of my mind that everyone was watching me (and laughing to themselves) as I struggled through my workouts. I know that it was just a psychological weakness on my part, but it was real to me.
Now, as I approach another resolution season, I once again want to get back into fighting shape. I’m not grotesque or anything, and most people look at me and think I’m healthy, but I could stand to lose about 30 pounds. I would like to get the definition back in my stomach, arms, and chest while losing a few pants sizes. It’s not really too much to ask, and I should be able to do it fairly easily – provided I actually stick to it this time. So here is what I have decided to do to combat the paranoia I feel when I step into a gym in January: I’m going to start in December. I already know that I want to get back into shape, so why wait? This gives me a one-month head-start on my fitness level, and allows me the opportunity to get to know other people before the rush of newbies come in after New Year’s Day. That way, I’ll hopefully feel more like part of the club instead of an outsider who won’t last more than a couple of months. And to top it off, I’ll get a jump on my weight loss before all of the requisite Christmas social events arrive. This year, maybe my mother-in-law won’t think that I’m such a fat ass!
[tags]Weight Loss, Christmas, Resolutions[/tags]