Turning resolutions into reality

Turning resolutions into reality
Joe Couture,
Leader Post, Regina

For many, a new year means resolving to improve. In Regina, there are options to help make resolutions realities.

Tanya Shkopich, regional manager of California Fitness, said staff at the company's three Regina gyms always see increases in guest participation and in new memberships after the calendar is new.

The gyms have specials at this time of the year to encourage new folks to visit.

"Obviously, quite a few motivated people are walking through the door having New Year's resolutions and goals they'd like to achieve," she said. "Some people do stick around. You do get some of the people that come for a few months, but then they start to dwindle."

Anyone new to one of the three gyms will be taken through a quick, full-body workout in order to become familiar and comfortable with all of the equipment. They will be provided a program.

"Seek a professional for optimum results," added Shkopich, noting personal training is available at all the facilities.

Dawna Wiebe, manager of sport and recreation for the City of Regina, said the city sees "quite an increase" in drop-ins and class attendance at all three of its major leisure centres every time it's a new year. Last January, over 50,000 people went through leisure centre doors. That compares to a monthly average in the neighbourhood of 40,000.

"I would actually think New Year's resolutions do make a difference," said Wiebe. "We notice quite a substantial increase ... People want to get healthy -- right after Christmas is a good time."

The city also has promotions going on in January to encourage facility use. On personal trainers, she noted people can call the Fieldhouse to arrange sessions.

Though some resolve to get in shape, others resolve to volunteer more -- and the need for volunteers is always significant, according to both Michelle Porter of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission and Tracey Mann of the United Way Regina.

Many people volunteer at Christmas, but the needs continue into the new year. Volunteering options often can be flexible, and they provide benefits to both the volunteer and the organization that he or she is helping out, Mann said.

The United Way maintains an online database of volunteer opportunities in the city -- there are more than 300 positions posted for many different places.

Porter noted Souls Harbour alone needs all sorts of help with its many programs, especially at the year's start.

"Generally, people forget we exist in January," Porter said, with a laugh. "We need tons of volunteers; we're so short."
Some people resolve to get better organized and professional services are available to help with any kinds of organizing needs. Susan McCune is one of only a handful of professional organizers in Regina registered with the national association representing the job.

"Regina is not a hotbed for professional organizers," she said, noting she attributes that to an "agrarian mentality" in the city. But the practice of hiring a professional organizer is big in bigger cities, she said. Organizers work with clients to meet the individual needs they identify.

January isn't a busy time for McCune, she said, noting she tends to see an increase in interest in the spring and fall.

Some people resolve to cut back on drinking in a new year. David Morris, a spokesman for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, said January is "typically the slowest month for sales on the whole," but said it's "difficult to say what impact New Year's resolutions would have" as there are a number of other reasons for a January slowdown.

"Many people purchase more in November and December in preparation for the holiday season," he said. "December is by far our busiest month of the year. Another thing that really has an impact on our sales is the weather."