A night of champagne toasts and singing "Auld Lang Syne" didn’t keep some people from beginning to carry out their New Year’s resolutions Jan. 1.
John Tucker of Rogers joined Planet Fitness on Wednesday on his first visit to a gym. Tucker said he wanted to focus this year on being healthy with no other goals.
At A Glance
Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions For 2014
Lose weight
Getting organized
Spend less, save more
Enjoy life to the fullest
Staying fit and healthy
Learn something exciting
Quit smoking
Help others in their dreams
Fall in love
Spend more time with family
Source: University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology
“I just have to keep it going and don’t quit,” Tucker said.
J.T. Baker, who was working out in Springdale's World Gym on Wednesday, said he is an example of not staying fit.
“I was up to 300 pounds three years ago,” Baker said. “I was lifting weights but I wasn’t running to stay fit.”
Now staying fit is family time with his wife, Ashley Baker, who also was working out Wednesday.
Keith Parker of Rogers also joined Planet Fitness on New Year’s Day. Parker said he wanted to start the year off right by stressing fitness and getting in shape again after having three brain surgeries.
Two doctors at World Gym said they were following the recommendations they gave to their patients.
“We are practicing what we preach,” said Greg Reiter, a Springdale gynecologist.
Becoming fit and losing weight will help treat several medical problems, said Donny Coker, a family medicine practitioner in Fayetteville.
“It helps with diabetes, hypertension and many other medical problems,” Coker said.
Losing weight and staying fit and healthy are two of the top five resolutions for 2014, according to the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology. Losing weight was first and staying fit fifth.
Jesse Warren and his wife, Tracey, resolved to become more fit this year, Jesse Warren said. The couple joined Planet Fitness online and came to the gym Wednesday. The Bentonville couple was looking for a new gym to join.
Emily Solomon of Rogers also joined Planet Fitness on Wednesday but it had nothing to do with a New Year’s resolution, she said.
By The Numbers
Resolution Success
Resolution maintained through first week: 75 percent
Past two weeks: 71 percent
Past one month: 64 percent
Past six months: 46 percent
Source: University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology
“I wanted to start getting fit again now that I have time,” Soloman said. “I’ve always been active and enjoyed exercising.”
Solomon thought it would be a good time to join a gym because they usually have good deals at the beginning of the year, she said.
Carl King said he works out every day at World Gym and it was the only one he knew was open that day.
Springdale's World Gym was the only one open this New Year’s Day, said Jimmy Johnson, location manager. A poll on the company’s Facebook page convinced the company to open this year, he said.
“We are planning to be open at all five of our locations next year,” Johnson said.
Kip Krupka, the trainer at Planet Fitness, said it's important to educate people on how to exercise and proper techniques.
“It’s not the extreme effort you see on TV,” Krupka said. “It’s important that trainers educate the population rather than working them really hard.”
The value of weight training is under-appreciated, said Reiter and Coker. Lifting weights burns calories faster than many aerobic exercises, Coker said.
“But you have to have muscle to burn those calories,” Reiter said.
Tracy Baker said she had to be convinced to lift weights.
“It’s helped me reach my potential,” Tracy Baker said.