{"id":7893,"date":"2018-01-19T18:20:53","date_gmt":"2018-01-19T18:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/losfresnosnews.net\/?p=7893"},"modified":"2018-01-19T18:20:53","modified_gmt":"2018-01-19T18:20:53","slug":"utrgv-experts-offer-tips-to-avoid-dropping-the-ball-on-those-new-years-resolutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/losfresnosnews.net\/?p=7893","title":{"rendered":"UTRGV Experts Offer Tips to Avoid Dropping the Ball on Those New Year\u2019s Resolutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Maria Elena Hernandez<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

EDINBURG, TEXAS \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>The clank of weight room equipment and the scuffling of shoes on the basketball court at the\u00a0UTRGV University Recreation Center is<\/a>\u00a0louder than usual these days. Like gyms across the United States, membership gets a boost at the start of the New Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll usually see the weight room floor a little more full than usual,\u201d said Melissa Duran, the communications supervisor at the University Recreation Center in Edinburg.<\/p>\n

And, like at those other fitness centers, participation will drop after a few months.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say, about three months into the year, that\u2019s when we start seeing the dip,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the typical timeframe for people who make fitness resolutions. By February, almost half the people who made resolutions involving fitness already have given up on their resolutions, according to a survey by BodyBuilding.com. And while they might forget their resolutions, their pocketbooks may not.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey decide they\u2019re going to get something that will help them keep New Year\u2019s resolutions \u2013 for example, something like a Fitbit, which probably won\u2019t work,\u201d said Dr.\u00a0Michael Minor<\/a>, a UTRGV marketing professor and department chair.<\/p>\n

On average, seven of 10 people who fail to keep their resolutions spend about $1,000 on them, according to a 2013 study by\u00a0VitalSmarts<\/a>, a Top 20 leadership training company that helps people and organizations perform better by changing behaviors.<\/p>\n

Dr.\u00a0Mark Winkel<\/a>, UTRGV psychology graduate department coordinator, said people often make vague resolutions they won\u2019t keep.<\/p>\n

His advice is to have a specific plan: \u201cA step-by-step plan. What are you going to do? When are you going do it? How are you going to do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/a>

Students can compete in events at the Edinburg URec like the Climbing Wall Challenge, shown here, where they complete various activities and games to win T-shirts and prizes. Photo: Silver Salas\/UTRGV Archive<\/p><\/div>\n

STRATEGIES FOR IMMEDIATE REWARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winkel believes another obstacle to keeping resolutions is the time it takes to see the results of new healthy habits.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt may be a year later before you actually see the benefits of those activities. People tend to sometimes be over-influenced by the more immediate consequences, rather than by the long-term, larger benefits,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

URec\u2019s Duran said she has watched people give up, and she has watched people be successful.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the beginning, it\u2019ll be a chore,\u201d she said. \u201cBut as you keep on doing it, it\u2019ll be something that you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

She suggests making a favorite playlist you can listen to while working out, or getting a workout buddy, a strategy Winkel agrees with because a workout partner could be encouraging and re-enforce goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that would be really effective,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have a lot of re-enforcers \u2013 rewards coming at you \u2013 then you\u2019re more likely to give up some plan that you\u2019ve initiated because you want more immediate rewards. You want rewards right now,\u201d Winkel said.<\/p>\n

SMALL GOALS ALONG THE WAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winkel suggests setting up sub-goals as a way to get more immediate rewards.<\/p>\n

Events at the URec, like the Climbing Wall Challenge, could be used as smaller goals for UTRGV students. Outdoor adventures and intermural sports also are available.<\/p>\n

And unlike many signing up for new gym memberships, UTRGV students will not face additional costs for using the university recreation centers in Edinburg and Brownsville.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents, since they already pay the membership through tuition, are more than welcome to come and take advantage of all our programs, events \u2013 everything we have to offer,\u201d Duran said. \u201cAnd we have a lot to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

A list of URec events and activities can be found on the\u00a0University Recreation website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SUCCESS STORIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the odds might be stacked against people hoping to keep their New Year\u2019s resolutions, Duran said there have been many success stories at URec.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey came here, they got a tour, they felt more comfortable, and they started using the gym,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd because of that, they\u2019ve been able to achieve their fitness goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

For those interested in making a purchase to ensure they meet their healthy New Year\u2019s resolutions, Minor has a suggestion: \u201cThere is a way to make an expenditure that will help you keep your resolution,\u201d the marketing professor said. \u201cGo to the shelter and buy a dog, and you\u2019ll walk every day for the next 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

TIPS LIST FOR SUCCESS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winkel says the following strategies can help people keep to their New Year\u2019s resolutions:<\/p>\n