Fallen off your New Year’s Resolutions already? Here’s some advice. 

Believe it or not, New Year’s Resolutions began 4,000 years ago with the ancient Babylonians. Babylonians made promises to their gods to pay their debts and return anything they had borrowed. These promises evolved into what we call resolutions today.

Present day resolutions are firm intentions to do or to not do something. The most common resolutions are: an improved work/life balance, better care of physical appearance, more personal time, and improved fitness. Other common resolutions focus on organization and gaining various skills.

According to Forbes, only 8% of people actually keep their resolutions for the rest of the year. 80% of resolutions do not make it to the end of March. 66% of resolutions last less than a month. If you are reading this and set intentions for 2018, you have most likely fallen off of them.

A major goal for many in the new year is getting in shape. Individuals want to improve their appearance, health, and overall well being.  

For some fitness inspiration and learning how to keep a routine, North Penn Physical Education teacher Ms. Tory Young has some advice.

Young played sports and swam competitively, so fitness has always been important to her.

“Being active was always important to me and maybe even kind of necessary for me to stay focused. It is a vital outlet for me and probably always was, I just didn’t realize it until I got older,” commented Young.

You can sometimes spot Young getting in extra steps after school, during her lunch period, and in between aquatics classes.

“I try to be active when I have time. I mostly go for runs when I can.  I will do some core exercises at home too, like pushups, planks, etc.,” added Young.

Though Young is not a resolution person, she has simple words of advice to those wanting to get in shape.

“Make time and don’t make excuses. Just try. Being active helps me focus and provides much needed stress relief and re-centering. I think being active and making fitness a priority is good for many reasons, but you only get one body and I feel it is important to take care of it,” remarked Young.

The solution is simple: getting in shape is a decision. It’s not the act of working out that is difficult, it is having the proper mindset to will yourself to reach a goal of overall health.

“I think being active is a lifestyle choice.  We all have choices and opportunities,” reflected Young.