It’s the end of January, which means that most NC State students have probably given up on their New Year’s resolutions. The lines at Cook Out will be long again, students will start (or continue) to skip classes for naps and Carmichael Gym will be less and less packed.
People who frequently work out at Carmichael Gym know that January is one of the busiest times of the year because tons of “resolutioners” start showing up. Losing weight and eating healthier are the most popular resolutions according to Statistic Brain, and it happens to be my personal resolution for 2018.
According to U.S. News, 80 percent of resolutions fail by the second week of February, and although the odds are against us, NC State students should not be discouraged in trying to keep their resolutions — especially those who are trying to better themselves by becoming healthier.
One of University Recreation’s goals is to “provide an inclusive and respectful culture that allows for building relationships, developing a sense of belonging and improving self-efficacy.” So far, I have been maintaining the motivation necessary to keep my New Year’s resolution of working out daily, and I attribute a lot of this motivation to the people I have interacted with at Carmichael.
It only took a moment to get over my nervousness of going to the gym alone when I saw so many other students and faculty members doing the same. I was not sure how to adjust the seating on a rowing machine, and a Carmichael Gym employee stepped in and helped me. I would run into casual acquaintances and classmates and they would ask me to join them in their exercise. Overall, I started feeling comfortable about making this a part of my daily routine.
Of course, I can understand the frustration of regulars at Carmichael Gym seeing a crowded gym filled with people who may not know how to use the equipment properly, but we are all trying to improve ourselves and shouldn’t be shamed or embarrassed because of that. Every person who tries to maintain an exercise routine has a beginning, and by creating a welcoming environment, the Wolfpack can help turn resolutions into achievements.
According to Forbes, only eight percent of people complete their resolutions. Perhaps if all resolutioners or gym newcomers were welcomed and encouraged the way I was, then they would stick to their goals and change their lives. Instead of posting a Snapchat video making fun of someone using an elliptical wrong, help out that person and show them the proper way. Make them feel like they belong there.
Of course, the inevitable will happen, and many students will stop going to Carmichael as frequently as their motivation to keep their resolution fades, but many people will persevere, and going to the gym will become a habit for them. We should all applaud the Wolfpack for trying to become healthier and help them reach their goals.
Who knows, maybe next January you’ll be the regular helping the newcomer figure out the best fitness class for them.
