Have you ever noticed that on Easter and Christmas church is packed? It is truly standing room only! If you don't arrive an hour before the service starts, you're not going to find a seat, let alone a parking space.
That same phenomenon occurs the day after New Year's Day...at the gym. Beginning today and for the next four to six weeks, the gym will be wall to wall people. If you go, your cardiovascular workout will be from your car to the gym door because you will have to park your car in the boonies of the parking lot. Once inside every piece of equipment will have a line of at least five people deep. All of the regulars will look at each other, shake their heads and remark, "Things will be back to normal come Valentine's Day!"
So, what causes this phenomenon? I haven't quite put my finger on why this happens at church, but I think I know why it happens year in and year out at the gym. All of the new faces are those well-intentioned New Year's resolutioners. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that they are trying to get healthy. As you well know, I'm a huge fan of fitness, nutrition, health and wellness.
The point of my post is this: Please, please don't be a New Year's resolutioner this year. Make this the year of behavior changes. If you were at the gym today, I say, "Kudos to you!" Decide that not only will you be there for the rest of the week, but come Valentine's Day you'll be considered a regular at your gym.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Easter, Christmas, and the day after New Year's Day
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6 comments:
Too true! I guess we all have the best of intentions, and some have more willpower than others.
My plan is to do it a bit at a time, in many categories (personal finance, healthy eating, exercising, decluttering...)
Ah yes. I don't even want to think about it. The nice thing about using monthly goals instead is that you've only got 30 days to keep it up. That helps.
Better to try and fail 10 times, then to never try at all!
The only time you are for sure to fail is if you never give it a try!
The Holidays and New Year serve as a reminder of who we want to be, kind of like going past Go in Monopoly!
I know exactly what you mean. I've never figured out the church one. Do people actually go a couple of times a year because they feel guilty? Or are the services just nicer in December and Easter?
That's funny! I'm dreading the New Year's rush at my gym. I know my already-full kickboxing classes are going to get really cramped for awhile. I can't wait for February ;)
Canadian Saver and Mrs. Micah, a little bit at a time and a monthly goal is like they say: eating an elephant one bite at a time.
racerx, you are so philosophical. I wish I could alway remember that.
Catherinel, I think people either feel guilty or they like the way the church is decorated at Christmas and Easter :-).
Becky, see in you February...at the gym :-)
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