The new year draws near, and some people are thinking of ways to better themselves in 2011.

One of the most popular resolutions people make is to lose more weight.

“The new year is a fresh start and after indulgence of holidays and guilt, new folks come in and set goals,” said fitness Instructor Joannie Pike at FirstHealth Fitness Center in Rockingham.

Pike said a good percentage stick to their goals and remain committed, and at least 80 percent have it on their minds when they come in. The facility offers promotions for newcomers. If you commit to a year, the price of each month of membership is reduced from $59 to $43, and January is free. Personal trainers and counselors are also nearby if you get discouraged, confused, or begin to develop a rut and need to break out of it.

“Fitness and changing what you eat is something everyone has a challenge with,” said Pike. “We’ll get a lot of fresh clientele in the coming months, especially for spring when it’s almost bathing suit weather. They come in all different shapes and sizes.”

While some people avoid resolutions because of fear of failure, one agency in Richmond County knows support helps.

Laura Clark of Monarch, an adult group home established to help those with disabilities who wish to be more independent, said their staff is working together to motivate each other to lose weight.

“We talked about it,” said Clark. “We’re all trying to lose weight. We would weigh in each week, and put in $1 when we weigh in. The biggest loser would get the money we collected.”

Clark said that while the staff takes part in the fun of a “Biggest Loser” kind of program, they would work together to help motivate each other. Some of the staff including Clark have their own resolutions, aside from the collective office resolution.

“Mine is just to try to read the Bible all the way through in a year, and spend more time with my kids and less time working,” said Clark. “I also want to be nicer to my husband. He deserves a gold medal. We’ll have been married for nine years this weekend, and I want to be more romantic.”

Clark’s coworker Michelle Tegues said her resolution is to lose weight, grow spiritually, be a better person, and be provisionally licensed as a mental therapist.

Some of the individuals served by Monarch shared their resolutions with Clark.

“Some want to lose weight, save money, and budget better,” said Clark. “I think financially people will make a resolution to save more.”

Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit. About.com has some tips to maintain momentum through your new challenge. Be realistic; try not to make resolutions unattainable. Plan ahead; set your resolution before Dec. 31. Outline your plan; decide how you will deal with the temptation to get off track. Talk about it; include your family and friends in your decision so they can support and help motivate you. Track your progress by keeping track of small successes on the way to large success. Don’t beat yourself up or fret over occasional slip-ups. Reward yourself; celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that does not contradict your resolution.

Staff Writer Dawn Kurry can be reached at (910)997-3111 ext. 15, or by e-mail at dkurry@yourdailyjournal.com.