One for the New Year

It's that time of year.  As December comes to a close it seems like we're all supposed to resolve to do or be something different or at least better starting January 1st.  As the owner of a dance and fitness studio I see the benefit of these resolutions - so many people seem to have "lose weight" at the top of their list of resolutions...enough so that the fitness industry banks on the trend.

Don't get me wrong - I WANT women to come in, especially those who are getting started on their path to health and wellness.  Yes, coming to classes can help you lose weight if you pair that change with looking at your food (both in terms of what you eat and your relationship with food/eating in general).  What makes me pause is the motivation and reasons behind the goals.

I also get the draw of the clean slate that the coming of a new year brings.  There is something really appealing about starting things on the FIRST of something.

And I get that taking stock of where you are as a year comes to a close is a way to see things about yourself or your situations that you want to change.

I wish, though, that we could all focus on the positives rather than the negatives.

I know that what I'm *supposed* to do is offer specials to lure in The Resolvers and get them locked in now before they give up on their resolutions.  First month free (on a 12 month contract) - you'll see that out there time and again in my industry.   Or I'm supposed to promise HUGE changes for clients - lose 20 pounds in 4 weeks, drop 3 sizes in no time - while they're in this vulnerable brain space.

That's not how I work.  It's not how I want to work.

Personally, I want people to start (whatever the date) working towards a healthier life.  I believe that moving and breaking a sweat is a really good step towards that goal.

I want people to make a positive commitment to themselves ("I WILL" statements rather than "I WON'T" are a good start) that they can and will keep because doing so makes them feel good.

I want people to start small and gain success so they can maintain the changes for the whole year (and the rest of their lives).

Professionally, I want women to find their way to the studio (whatever the date) as they work towards that healthier life.

I want them to try a variety of classes until they find the ones that make them smile.

I want them to commit, to themselves, to coming to one class a week for at least three months to make it a strong habit and something they look forward to each week.

I want them to feel so good after that one class that they organically find times and ways to move more throughout their week.

When ready, I want women to be in touch with themselves and their body enough to help define a good and healthy relationship with their food.

If that happens for them as of January 1, 2014?  Great.