Gyms packed this week with those resolving to get fit

It probably just seems like there’s twice as many people in the gym this week. Or maybe not.

This really is the time of year that the treadmills start humming, says Travis Pernsteiner at the La Crosse Area YMCA.

“A lot of people have set those goals to be healthier, to move more, to do something different in 2018,” Pernsteiner said.

Keys to keep plugging away at those goals, says Pernsteiner; be realistic about what you can achieve and get a workout buddy to keep you accountable.

“A big part is accountability,” he said. “So, having a friend, a staff person to check in with them to make sure their coming to the Y. Having somebody to hold them accountable for their workouts And then having a plan in place, too, where they can hold themselves accountable — that they’re accomplishing what they set out to do.”

If you’re already frustrated waiting for machines, be patient. Gym memberships nationally can bounce by a fourth at the beginning of a new year.

Typically, the gym clears out by February or March, as many give up on their new year goals and go back to old habits.

Instead of falling back into the old rut, however, Pernsteiner says there are ways to succeed. He recommends setting realistic goals as to not get discouraged by a lack of immediate progress. It’s also a good idea to bounce those goals off someone.

“Talk to friends,” Pernsteiner said. “Talk to other people who have already set goals or have gone through the process and can say what has worked for them. ‘Is this plan realistic? Is this plan going to work with what you know about me?’ And they can maybe help you structure or modify your plan.”

Good intentions often turn sour quickly without realistic goals and the discipline to follow them.