HEALTH

So you wanna keep your New Year's fitness resolution?

Jane Havsy
@dailyrecordspts

Joe Puleo didn't make any New Year's resolutions. The finance professional-turned-trainer thinks they're "crap," and don't work. Yet he's accustomed to people coming into the two gyms he owns asking for help to achieve their own resolutions.

The top three New Year's resolutions last year were wellness-related, according to a 2015 Nielsen survey. More than 30 percent of respondents wanted to "stay fit and healthy" or lose weight, with another 28 percent resolving to "enjoy life to the fullest."

"I like to call it 'beating the resolution,'" said Puleo, who owns Gold's Gym in Whippany and Zapp Fitness in Edison. "I don't have to ask what their goals are, because they're coming to me for one reason: a new body. I take what their capabilities are and expand on them."

Even though Puleo might not believe in resolutions in general, he sets training goals with his clients.  So does Joe Lopez, a certified strength and conditioning specialist at Inception Sports Performance in Madison. He asks, "Where do you want to be three months from now?"

Lopez also encourages clients to sign up for future events, like a 5K, and "tell your friends, tell your family, because they're going to hold you to it."  The key to these goals is to keep them attainable.

Sometimes simply investing money in the process and setting appointments – with a friend, a trainer, or for group workouts – is enough motivation.

"You can't set a goal to hit up a 6 a.m. class every morning if you know you're not going to be able to get your butt out of bed when the alarm goes off," said Vanessa Checchio of Green Brook, the founder of bachata & barbells.

"Set goals you know you can achieve, even if it means getting a little help."

Those suggestions apply to both newcomers and workout veterans, who might just need a new direction. Checchio goes back to basics, like squats, bench presses and dead lifts.  Puleo's gyms have partnered with Alloy Personal Training Systems, which provide workouts based on functional movements. Lopez has clients create a food journal, addressing eating habits as another key to overall fitness.

"With new people, the process is a little bit slower," said Lopez, a physical education teacher at Pope John. "It might take a little bit longer to see the results. Someone who knows what they're doing kind of needs a kick in the butt. They might get a little more done in a shorter amount of time. … Surround yourself with really good people who can challenge you and motivate you."

Checchio started the year with #fivedaysofdoing on social media, breaking down big concepts like "present" and "accept" into concrete actions she plans to pursue in 2016.

"A goal doesn't have to be Earth shattering," she said. "It can be a simple task you hope to become better at in the new year."

Staff Writer Jane Havsy: 973-428-6682; jhavsy@gannettnj.com; www.dailyrecord.com/writerjane/

How can you "beat the resolution?"

Set measurable, attainable goals.  Where do you want to be three months from now?

Hold yourself accountable. Sign up with a friend, or tell supportive people your goals.

Work out with people who challenge and motivate you.