Fitness experts urge life change rather than resolutions

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- With 2019 just a few days away, many people are making their New Year’s resolutions.

Many New Year’s resolutions involve heading to the gym, but experts say that resolution should be a routine.

“Come in and stay with it. Don’t just make it a New Year’s resolution and quit after three or four days. You have to stick it out,” said Millard Swindle who works out for his health.

Exercising more and losing weight are two of the most popular New Year’s resolutions.

This means many people will be purchasing gym memberships at the start of the new year.

“With a new year, it brings a whole lot of new people in, new faces into a gym. Of course you have everybody with New Year’s resolutions, always wanting to lose weight, become healthy and active,” said Bowling Green Parks and Recreation fitness coordinator Derick Fair.

Rather it’s to shed a few pounds or gain muscle, experts said exercising improves your overall quality of life.

For many exercising has become a part of their daily routine.

“It keeps me alive. I have a bad heart, which is only supplying about 50% of my body with blood so the doctor says the more exercise I get, the better off I am,” Swindle said.

“Fitness is very important because it keeps a balance in the body, strength, endurance and I just like coming in. It,s part of my daily routine,” said Suzanne Deputy, who was working out Thursday at the gym.

Whether you run on the treadmill, lift weights or ride the bicycle exercising has changed lives for the better, enthusiasts said.

“Fitness is important to me because it allows me to be a participant. Bowling Green Parks and Recreation is a great place to do it. I’d recommend people to get started,” said Mike Goade.

“You learn a lot about yourself. Your body will speak to you. It tells you what you need and what you don’t need. You start learning your diet and a lot about yourself,” said Bowling Green Parks and Recreation fitness instructor Jim Neil.

Fair has some advice for those who are heading to the gym for the first time.

“I always tell people when they do come in to set small goals and work on those,” he said.

Exercising two to three days a week is a great place to start, Fair said.