Weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise always seems to be one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. lists.

But good intentions only go so far. So just as many people flock to their local gyms right after the New Year’s holiday, by March, most have not stuck to their resolutions.

Anna Theriot, manager of Anytime Fitness (it has locations in Lake Charles, Moss Bluff and Sulphur) said employees at Anytime’s facilities are used to seeing an influx of new customers in the first few weeks of the year — followed by a steady decline.

“Business always picks up around the second week of January. Right now, everyone’s still recovering from the New Year but by next week, we’ll have a splurge of new people. They’ll show up for six to eight weeks and then we won’t see them again for a year probably. We want them to keep coming back, to stay on the workout wagon and we do our best to keep them motivated and excited about a lifestyle change, but sometimes they fall through the cracks,” Theriot said.

GiGi Kaufman, owner of GiGi’s and GiGi’s Downtown, said she was surprised to see how many residents came to the gym during 2012’s resolution rush and then stuck around for the remainder of the year.

“You always see a rush of new people during this time of year, and I’ve been in this business for 35 years; I know how it works. Interestingly enough what I’ve found this year that there were more people who actually stuck with a routine gym schedule. Because of the rising costs of healthcare and prevention, they now know they have to take care of themselves,” Kaufman said.

Kaufman said her gym will soon to begin to cater further to its members — new and old — with revised opening hours and new classes.

“We’re adding more hours at our downtown location and adding new equipment strategically as needed. We try to stay away from diet and exercise fads and gimmicks though. I like to stick with the basics of what I know is going to last, there’s always something new out there but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be beneficial for our clients. You have to stick to the basics and educate yourself on the facts to see lasting results, it’s a lifestyle,” Kaufman said.

For those looking to stick with their resolutions, Theriot said there are a few tips to help everyone be able to stick to their goals and eventually be successful.

“Set a realistic goal for yourself. Don’t tell yourself you’ll workout every day as you’ll just be setting yourself up for failure. Get yourself a workout partner, someone to hold you accountable. You also shouldn’t try to jump into something too strenuous too soon; start out slow and work your way up. Anything is better than nothing. Most of all, don’t get frustrated. Ask questions; we’re here to help you achieve your goals, not just to take your money,” Theriot said.

Weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise always seems to be one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. But good intentions only go so far. So just as many people flock to their local gyms right after the New Year’s holiday

Rick Hickman