Start fresh in the New Year

Start fresh in the New Year

Health and fitness, career and personal growth are top three goalsBy Ellen Wilkowe, Daily Record

In gearing up for the New Year, many wish for less -- as in pounds or debt.

According to myGoals.com, a Web site that functions as an electronic personal motivator for goal-setting and attainment, the top three New Year's resolutions for 2004 fall into the categories of health and fitness, career and personal growth.

The data, obtained from the current year's third-quarter goal setting activity of the site's clients, shifted slightly from last year, when career aspirations claimed the top spot.

"Things might actually be returning to normal," said Greg Helmstetter, CEO of myGoals.com.

"Last year, a staggering 27 percent of people's resolutions were career-related, an 18 percent increase from 2002. For New Year's 2004, however, a 9 percent drop in career goals may signal a return to business-as-usual."

Under the health category, only 5 percent of users resolved to quit smoking -- far less than the findings of an American Legacy Foundation survey of New York City smokers in which 40 percent said they plan to kick the habit.

The survey found that 71 percent of those polled would like to stop smoking but only 38 percent believe they are "very likely" to succeed.

With smoking cessation low on the resolution list, shedding 10 pounds and paying off debt rank as the most popular, followed by career aspirations including starting a business, winning a new job or promotion and writing a book or article.

Reflecting the nation's fitness-driven tendencies, Gold's Gym Fitness Complex in Whippany braces each January for an influx of resolution-style memberships.

"Right after New Year's, from about January through the summer, is the busiest time of the year," said Jeff Schmitt, training department manager. "People tend to over-consume in the holiday season and tend to want to start fresh."

To keep from falling off the fitness wagon, Schmitt suggests recruiting a personal trainer and teaming up with a workout partner to maintain motivation and commitment.

"The biggest reason people drop out is because they don't get help or follow a proper program," Schmitt said.

Pamela Burke, a sophomore at Parsippany Hills High School, recently reconciled her 2003 fitness resolution -- running an eight-minute mile.

"Sometimes people make resolutions and forget them or reach them later," she said. "Mine was to run an eight-minute mile and I did that recently."

Whether the goal calls for losing 10 pounds, digging out of debt or starting up a business, the clients of Mary Cole, owner of Soul Choice Coaching in Madison are guided with a can-do over, will-fix approach.

"The folks that are creating most often stay with the process," she said. "The ones who are 'fixing' most often don't."

Take Vincent Brown of Budd Lake. The 20-year-old County College of Morris sophomore is still savoring -- or in this case, driving -- a past New Year's dream come true.
"I worked four jobs one summer and finally got a car," the 20-year-old CCM sophomore said. "Now I want another one."

When it comes to resolutions, Jean Malson of Wharton prefers New Year's "hopes." The teacher from Wharton hopes to eat less in the coming year, but would rather focus on her overall health.
"I have more hopes for the New Year than resolutions," she said. "Eating less would be nice, but continuing to teach in good health seems more important."

Also favoring the wellness approach is the Rev. Kenneth Lasch, pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Mendham, a non-believer in resolutions.

"I don't recommend them (resolutions) because everyone breaks them," he said. "I believe in taking life patterns seriously. Someone might say, 'I need to make some fine-tuning or adjustments,' but they shouldn't do it all at once."

Lasch's recipe for New Year's includes healthy eating, lots of water, sleep and "sipping a little bit of wine" garnished with prayer.

"You should stay low-key in January -- like the weather," he said. "Gear up for Lent, the season of repentance and renewal. Lent is more appropriate for looking at life patterns."

Kathy Miller, a prosperity coach from Stirling, who helps people overcome financial obstacles and achieve lifestyle goals, also uses life patterns as a tool for change, encouraging her clients to reconcile their mistakes before taking on new challenges.

"Spend time reflecting on your previous decisions and acknowledge the positive and negative consequences of the choices you have made up until this point," suggested Miller, who runs a Good Steward personal coaching service. "Then empower yourself with a balanced approach and an encouraging perspective."

"Instead of, 'I sure did make a mess of things,' say, 'I tried X and this happened. Now I am going to try Y.'"