Jan. 2, 2001--
It's that time of year again, when a lot of people resolve to eat better, to use their running shoes more often, or to just be a nicer person.
But how likely is it that they're really going to be successful with their New Year's Resolutions?
News Specialist Lisa Conley reports from one of the places where resolutions are made, and maybe broken.
If you are one of those backsliders who broke your resolution before the end of New Year's Day, you are definitely not alone.
But a surprising number of people keep the promises they put at the top of their list.
Two days into the Year 2001 and the Lifestyles Gym in Sugarhouse is packed, crowded with people trying to fulfill their New Year's resolutions.
Mike Jones/Lifestyles 2000 Club director: "NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS, EVERYONE WANTS TO GET OUT THERE AND GET IN SHAPE. IT'LL BE BUSY. IT'S PROBABLY START ABOUT 9:00, AND IT'LL JUST GO. IT'LL GO THROUGHOUT THE MONTH."
Brandy Handley/Salt Lake City: "I WANT TO LOSE ABOUT 20 POUNDS AND THEN I'LL BE HAPPY."
Jack Duffy/Salt Lake City: "GET BACK INTO THE GYM AND GET BACK INTO SHAPE AND TONE UP AND LOSE A FEW POUNDS."
They are not alone. The most popular resolution is getting into better shape. More than half of people surveyed want to exercise more,
and that goes hand in hand with eating healthier.
Number three is giving up an unwanted habit, like smoking or drinking.
And 40 percent want to save more money
For some, making a resolution is an exercise in futility.
Andy Healy/Salt Lake City: "I'M NOT VERY GOOD AT KEEPING RESOLUTIONS AND SO I TRY NOT TO MAKE ANY, AND THEN I DON'T DISAPPOINT MYSELF."
Andrew Skankey/Salt Lake City: "MAYBE I'M A PARTY POOPER, BUT I DON'T REALLY MAKE MANY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS, 'CAUSE IF I WANT TO CHANGE I TRY TO DO IT THE NEXT DAY."
That's actually a good plan, according to psychologists, who say you should resolve to do something you've been thinking about anyway.
If you need a little help, check out a website
where you can sign up for monthly email reminders that will nag you to keep your resolution.
And another tip-- make only one or two resolutions.
Which is convenient, because a recent study found that 63 percent of people remain faithful to their number one resolution for at least two months.
That's exactly when fitness trainer predict gym attendance will slump.
Mike Jones/Lifestyles 2000 Club director: "IT'LL START TO TAPER OFF PROBABLY ABOUT FEBRUARY, MARCH. THE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION WEARS OFF."
The web site mentioned above is www.hiaspire.com/newyear/.
