ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) – As the new year rolls on, many are taking the opportunity to set new goals and make new resolutions. Among the most popular are commitments aimed at improving health and fitness. For fitness instructors, personal trainers and gym enthusiasts, January is the busiest season as people throng gyms, determined to kick-start their fitness journey.
Heidi Mollinary, certified personal trainer and nutritionist, from Fitness 1440understands the challenges new gym goers face.
“It took me a while to come out of my shell, especially in a gym. When I first came to a gym community, I was only on the elliptical. I didn’t know what to do; I didn’t know who to ask for help,” Mollinary said.
This initial uncertainty is a common obstacle for many people embarking on their fitness journey. Trainers often observe that motivation peaks in January but wanes over the first few months.
“Often people feel unmotivated or don’t want to go to the gym,” explained Alex Carrasco, training manager at Crunch Fitness in Odessa. “In reality, motivation comes and goes, so you just have to discipline yourself. As soon as you walk through those doors and start training, your whole mentality will change.
5 Tips to Stick to Your Fitness Goals:
- Set realistic goals
- Find activities you enjoy
- Make it a social experience
- Track your progress
- Reward yourself
Fitness experts emphasize that the benefits of exercise extend beyond physical health.
“Fitness should be everyone’s life,” said Chris Palomarez, personal training manager at Fitness 1440. “It just improves every aspect of your life: family, your workplace, your friends, your fitness level. energy, time spent with your children. Every aspect of your life is improved by the effects of fitness and health.
Fitness can also foster a sense of community, which plays an important role in keeping people engaged.
“I’ve trained at a lot of group fitness places, even regular gyms, and what I’ve found at F45 is just the sense of community we have here,” said Emily Hamer, trainer at F45 Ponderosa West. “No one likes to train alone. Our community is great; our trainers are super positive and encouraging, and I feel like everyone here is welcoming. Having people who encourage you to come back and try new things at the gym is what I love about F45.
For many, the hardest part is simply getting started.
“The hardest and heaviest weight to lift is to honestly walk through those doors,” Carrasco added. “As soon as you get here and start, your mentality changes. You will develop not only your physical endurance but also your mental endurance. You will feel much more capable, and it will help you in many different ways: physically, emotionally and mentally. Especially if you’re going through certain things, this is probably one of the best ways to overcome them.
While it’s true that motivation often wanes after the excitement of the new year, staying disciplined and implementing a few key strategies can help you stick with your fitness goals through 2025 and beyond.
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