Resolutions, Shmesolutions

New year, fresh start. It’s time to renew annual resolutions. You know, “Lose weight,” “Work out,” “Consume more nutritious foods.” And so it goes.

I attend my morning workouts as the new year emerges and observe the pounding of footsteps on the treadmill belts, the whirring noise of wheels spinning as riders hunch over the handlebars of their stationary bikes while pumping the pedals vigorously en route to nowhere, and the splashes of sweat traveling through the air as uber-perspiring baby boomers rush to their next set of exercises during boot camp class.

Yes, it’s the start of the new year, and I know I need to arrive at my morning workouts earlier than usual, as the commitment to fulfilling resolutions to get in shape sparks a beginning-of-theyear onslaught of gym patrons, thereby limiting the availability of equipment I need to fulfill my exercise requirements. But I fear not. Those new year’s resolutions will fall by the wayside. Come a few weeks from now, those well-intended lifestyle choices will lose their appeal, and I’ll have no trouble accessing boundless rows of equipment. Resolutions, shmesolutions!

Maybe, just maybe, this year will be different. Perhaps reading Scott McAfee’s article will inspire more people to cycle, run or walk throughout the 30 miles of scenic leisure paths in our community. Might more City of New Albany personnel decide to use the police station’s fitness center? Could Dr. Stephanie Ladson-Wofford’s transformation be a model for others to rewrite their own health stories?

A commitment to improving and maintaining good health is not accomplished by empty resolutions. That commitment begins on Jan. 1, 2013 and ends Dec. 31, 2013 ... before starting again on Jan. 1, 2014.

Healthfully,

Phil Heit, Executive Editor