Staying Fit in Severna Park for 2013

As 2013 gets underway, it appears many Severna Park residents have made it their New Year's resolution to hit the gym and get fit. Area gyms and clubs have reported an increase in gym memberships since the begining of the year.

"Every gym sees an increase in participation this time of year. Everyone seems more focused on goals right now and fitness is in the top of their mind," said Sport Fit Fitness Consultant Mandy Schulz.

Schultz also added that this is one of the best times to go to the gym since the weather is often unpredictable.

"This is the best time of the year to be working out at the gym for several reasons," Schulz said. "It's colder outside and the sun goes down sooner so it is harder to do things outside."

Other area fitness facilities are reporting more crowded gyms and a renewed focus on losing weight, not just working out.

"We have set a lot of appointments recently," said Curves employee Diane Breinig. "People are coming in and checking out the club. The phone has been ringing off the hook."

Breinig said Curves now focuses on diet, exercise and motivation. Curves emphasizes moderate prices for "a weight-loss program with a gym," which is something many people are taking advantage of in 2013. 

"This is generally the trend, people want to come in and talk about the club and talk prices," Breinig said.

The Severna Park Community Center (SPCC) has also seen an increased interest in fitness and it is rewarding its users for that.

During the month of January, the SPCC is challenging exercisers to complete two swim workouts and a weight room workout each week. After completing the three workouts, participants receive a complementary weight room pass for the following week.

"We had seen a decrease in overall usage in December, which is basically sales, with our swim and gym passes, and early this year it is picking back up," Executive Director Jennie Boden said. "We are at 50 percent of what I thought we would be already in January and it is only the seventh of the month."

According to an article in TIME, losing weight and getting fit is one of the most common New Year's resolutions, which also makes it the most commonly broken resolution.

In order to help you keep your resolution, Sport Fit Fitness Director Joe Bocek recommends the following tips.

• Small changes seem to work best—It can be as simple as adding a new behavior every week. Start off by taking a vitamin. Then next week continue to take the vitamin and add eating four servings of vegetables and add something else the next week.
• Don’t allow yourself to feel so defeated—Just because you have one bad meal or day doesn't mean you should give up. If you miss the gym three days in a row it doesn't mean you have to stop going.
• Bring a friend—Trying to do something with a friend or a group seems to help a lot because there is more accountability. Get a personal trainer, workout with a friend or join a fitness group.

How are you staying fit in the New Year? Tell us in the comments.

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