Who's looking forward to the huge influx of New Year's Resolutions people?
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JerSchmare wrote: »The reason the resolutioners bother me is this 1) they hog the gym for about 1 month. It’s a waste of everyone’s time, it’s usually non-sense, and many of them workout like idiots. 2) sometimes, you see some of the same people year after year, another waste of time. 2) many of them don’t understand or care about gym etiquette. So, they will hog 6 machines and have a pile of dumbbells next to them while they do stupid non-sensical exercise that isn’t helping them with any goal. 3) they don’t try to learn about an exercise regime or diet, they crash diet and workout like dummies.
On the poisitive side, 1) there are always 1 or 2 people that you see stick with it. 2) it only lasts for about a month.
This is true but as someone stated, we all start somewhere. I’m glad my gym mates were patient with my stupidity. I’m just going to plan ahead and assume my workouts will take longer while I wait for equipment to clear. Fortunately for me, it’s my belief that most of the newbies will gravitate to the machines and most of my work is done on the power rack so hopefully I won’t have to deal with much.2 -
SummerSkier wrote: »I am looking forward to it because it means there will be less cake and cookies and trash floating around the workplace and also food facebook posts will decrease. LOL. I don't partake, but it gets old starting around Halloween having all of this shoved in your face and people insisting you need to fatten up so leaving things on your desk etc..
My co workers have actually said they're gonna replace their candy bowl with a fruit bowl. We'll see how long that lasts.2 -
Things will be annoyingly packed around the gym for awhile, but it will back to normal around March when people start to quit en masse. Gym's actually depend on people quitting to operate. If everyone showed up regularly that had a membership the fire marshal would have to shut the place down for being too crowded. Sad as it is, the overwhelming majority of people just won't stick with it. The cyclical process will then begin anew in January of 2019.2
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Packerjohn wrote: »itsaboutthattimeagain wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »IMO, unfortunately, anyone that has to wait for a "traditional" day for behavior change instead of working to make the change when they realize there is a problem is doomed to failure.
Wow...aren't you just a ray of sunshine and hope! lol! Ba hum bug. Don't be too positive. lol
Sorry you feel that way, but if someone want's to make a positive change in their life, why wait 5 minutes not to mention until 1/1?
I'm all for people bettering themselves.
Because most people have holiday events that involve a lot of food and drink, so it's easier to start after the holidays when there isn't much going on than to try to make changes during an already hectic and stressful season. The holiday season isn't nearly as challenging to deal with when you have several months or a year of eating in moderation and weight loss under your belt, but trying to handle that right out of the gate would be discouraging and derailing for a lot of people. Even people I know who do work out regularly take a break or dial it back during December just because they have so many other things being thrown into the schedule. Maybe people want to give themselves a better chance of success by not starting during a time when they know they are going to be facing more diet and schedule challenges that could throw them off.JerSchmare wrote: »The reason the resolutioners bother me is this 1) they hog the gym for about 1 month. It’s a waste of everyone’s time, it’s usually non-sense, and many of them workout like idiots. 2) sometimes, you see some of the same people year after year, another waste of time. 2) many of them don’t understand or care about gym etiquette. So, they will hog 6 machines and have a pile of dumbbells next to them while they do stupid non-sensical exercise that isn’t helping them with any goal. 3) they don’t try to learn about an exercise regime or diet, they crash diet and workout like dummies.
On the poisitive side, 1) there are always 1 or 2 people that you see stick with it. 2) it only lasts for about a month.
Most people who come here don't know about dieting, and even some of the long time veteran users once graced the forums with things like IF or clean eating being the key to weight loss, or have a history of crash dieting under their belts. And even the long time users here have had success and relapsed, or continue to struggle with eating in moderation despite having all the information. But to your specific points:
1) All paying clients have the right to use the gym, and being a long time member doesn't give you special dibs on any section or equipment.
2) Those people who sign up for a membership contract and then stop going keep your membership costs down. And perhaps people would not quit if they felt welcome at the gym or got support from others.
3) Not respecting gym etiquette is hardly limited to resolutioners, I've seen long time members leave equipment everywhere, not place a barbell back properly, utilize several pieces of equipment at once as part of a rotation, not wipe down equipment, etc.
4) This is where a few minutes of time to chat with someone could steer them in the right direction, but it's also worth remembering that you have no idea what challenges or goals the person has. They might have physical limitations that leave them stuck with certain exercises. They might be struggling with depression, and simply getting to the gym and doing something was a huge step. They might not even be trying to lose weight and are just trying to establish a routine. They might have something else going on in their life that takes a much higher priority than losing weight or learning about workouts, and need to dedicate their time to that.
People learning about weight loss and exercise are going to have a lot of stumbles, try a lot of different things with varying success, and are ultimately going to have to piece together what works for them in their lives from a lot of advice and information. Getting frustrated with them because they don't have the same level of knowledge or because the process make take them longer to work through isn't a shortcoming on their part, it's a personal problem.
If topics like ACV or clean eating or low carb or whatever frustrate you, don't click on them. No one is forcing anyone to read them. And as for the gym, deal with it the influx as it is, reach out to some of the people and try to make a difference, or just adjust your schedule for the month so you aren't going at the most busy times until it tapers off.20 -
JustRobby1 wrote: »Things will be annoyingly packed around the gym for awhile, but it will back to normal around March when people start to quit en masse. Gym's actually depend on people quitting to operate. If everyone showed up regularly that had a membership the fire marshal would have to shut the place down for being too crowded. Sad as it is, the overwhelming majority of people just won't stick with it. The cyclical process will then begin anew in January of 2019.
Doesn't that mean gyms intentionally sell more memberships to people than their building can physically handle? There's no rule against this?1 -
dinadyna21 wrote: »JustRobby1 wrote: »Things will be annoyingly packed around the gym for awhile, but it will back to normal around March when people start to quit en masse. Gym's actually depend on people quitting to operate. If everyone showed up regularly that had a membership the fire marshal would have to shut the place down for being too crowded. Sad as it is, the overwhelming majority of people just won't stick with it. The cyclical process will then begin anew in January of 2019.
Doesn't that mean gyms intentionally sell more memberships to people than their building can physically handle? There's no rule against this?
Of course they do, ask anybody that has ever worked in one (including yours truly
) As to the fire marshal, the building can't go over it's max occupancy of course, but again, since most people won't show up long term, or in some cases even show up at all after buying a membership, this is rarely an issue. 3 -
There’s some good points in this discussion. I remember how intimidated I was stepping foot into the gym for the first time in years. I felt like the new kid on the block and like everyone was looking at me and my lack of familiarity with the equipment. I’m going to remember that and this year I’m going to pay attention and try to extend a hand to anyone who needs it as a few gracious people did for me.13
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The battle for fitness will always be won or lost in the kitchen, not at the gym. Some people forget where they came from and how confusing and bewildering this whole process is for a newbie. While the rate of attrition in this game is always going to be high, it is probably higher than it needs to be for those who are not offered some kind of help or guidance. This is where those who are in a position to offer some guidance should step up. It's easy to get caught up in our own programs. Fitness is, at the end of the day, an individualistic pursuit, after all. However, it does not cost you a dime to offer someone encouragement, show them some proper form at the weight bench, or let them know that eating 800 calories a day is not wise.
To the other salient point, yes, the fad diets will sadly chew many people up and spit them out with their fairly tales, lies, and unrealistic and/or unsustainable regimens. They always do unfortunately. I had to learn this lesson the hard way myself. We are in a subculture that is more rife with nonsense than any other in the history of the world and driven by a clear profit motive, so it's easy for the new person to become confused. All we can do is combat this misinformation with facts and hope that it resonates.
Changing your life is never easy, but there are ways to mitigate this for the influx of newbs in January7 -
JustRobby1 wrote: »dinadyna21 wrote: »JustRobby1 wrote: »Things will be annoyingly packed around the gym for awhile, but it will back to normal around March when people start to quit en masse. Gym's actually depend on people quitting to operate. If everyone showed up regularly that had a membership the fire marshal would have to shut the place down for being too crowded. Sad as it is, the overwhelming majority of people just won't stick with it. The cyclical process will then begin anew in January of 2019.
Doesn't that mean gyms intentionally sell more memberships to people than their building can physically handle? There's no rule against this?
Of course they do, ask anybody that has ever worked in one (including yours truly ) As to the fire marshal, the building can't go over it's max occupancy of course, but again, since most people won't show up long term, or in some cases even show up at all after buying a membership, this is rarely an issue.
Without a doubt.1 -
JerSchmare wrote: »The reason the resolutioners bother me is this 1) they hog the gym for about 1 month. It’s a waste of everyone’s time, it’s usually non-sense, and many of them workout like idiots. 2) sometimes, you see some of the same people year after year, another waste of time. 2) many of them don’t understand or care about gym etiquette. So, they will hog 6 machines and have a pile of dumbbells next to them while they do stupid non-sensical exercise that isn’t helping them with any goal. 3) they don’t try to learn about an exercise regime or diet, they crash diet and workout like dummies.
On the poisitive side, 1) there are always 1 or 2 people that you see stick with it. 2) it only lasts for about a month.
Go early morning and you won't have this issue. If someone is new and there at 5 AM they are dead *kitten* serious.4 -
Packerjohn wrote: »JustRobby1 wrote: »dinadyna21 wrote: »JustRobby1 wrote: »Things will be annoyingly packed around the gym for awhile, but it will back to normal around March when people start to quit en masse. Gym's actually depend on people quitting to operate. If everyone showed up regularly that had a membership the fire marshal would have to shut the place down for being too crowded. Sad as it is, the overwhelming majority of people just won't stick with it. The cyclical process will then begin anew in January of 2019.
Doesn't that mean gyms intentionally sell more memberships to people than their building can physically handle? There's no rule against this?
Of course they do, ask anybody that has ever worked in one (including yours truly ) As to the fire marshal, the building can't go over it's max occupancy of course, but again, since most people won't show up long term, or in some cases even show up at all after buying a membership, this is rarely an issue.
Without a doubt.
Some people will literally go on paying their monthly bank draft for YEARS, even though they have not actually visited the club in an eternity. This is why many clubs make it to where you actually have to physically show up in order to cancel as opposed to a phone call or online. Some people can't seem to face the music and admit defeat, so they go on paying. This happens far more frequently than most people probably realize.2 -
JustRobby1 wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »JustRobby1 wrote: »dinadyna21 wrote: »JustRobby1 wrote: »Things will be annoyingly packed around the gym for awhile, but it will back to normal around March when people start to quit en masse. Gym's actually depend on people quitting to operate. If everyone showed up regularly that had a membership the fire marshal would have to shut the place down for being too crowded. Sad as it is, the overwhelming majority of people just won't stick with it. The cyclical process will then begin anew in January of 2019.
Doesn't that mean gyms intentionally sell more memberships to people than their building can physically handle? There's no rule against this?
Of course they do, ask anybody that has ever worked in one (including yours truly ) As to the fire marshal, the building can't go over it's max occupancy of course, but again, since most people won't show up long term, or in some cases even show up at all after buying a membership, this is rarely an issue.
Without a doubt.
Some people will literally go on paying their monthly bank draft for YEARS, even though they have not actually visited the club in an eternity. This is why many clubs make it to where you actually have to physically show up in order to cancel as opposed to a phone call or online. Some people can't seem to face the music and admit defeat, so they go on paying. This happens far more frequently than most people probably realize.
Saw this not sure how accurate it is though:
Percent of people with gym memberships that never use them 67 %
https://www.statisticbrain.com/gym-membership-statistics/1 -
moosmum1972 wrote: »Some already arrived full of keto and I. F joys.....I was one of them! I started in 2016, January 1st. Still here almost 2 years later. Started obese, now around 110 lbs and normal weight, but still very much a work in progress. I too am hoping to make some changes this year and am waiting for January 1st to start. I don't know why but starting afresh just makes things easier.
Lost about 45 pounds in 2017. Waiting until Jan 1 to make some changes and lose some more. Hopefully in late December, I can make a post just like this. Because we're never really "done", we just get to a better place and continue on.
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I try to see the positive in it. Though the forums will get flooded with a lot of repeat questions and many new users will disappear in short time, some will stick with it and accomplish their goals. Some even stick around long term to help the next generations of "newbies". And if it helps only a few of them meet a new goal of bettering themselves in some way, it's worth it IMO. Even before the resolutions hit we see all kinds of crazy questions anyway.
But there is no doubt about it. The offshore earthquake has taken place, and a tsunami wave of giant proportions will be flooding the shores with questions of ACV, HIIT, IF, Keto, and whatever else they have seen lately that is the new weight control secret.1 -
I actually really like the "resolutioners." I like them on here because even with some repeats of dead horse topics I see new recipes, etc and it shakes up things. I am also really motivated by seeing other people being motivated. I work out harder in a full gym than an empty one (I think because seeing other people push makes me not want to give up.) I usually come back to MFP forums more around this time....eating crap at the holidays reminds me why I want to be healthy (because I hate feeling like crap)
Truth be told I am way less put off from newbie posts than I am by some "veteran" post. Most commonly when an OP asks advice on what we do for say....idk breakfast and I say "I've found that not eating X foods for breakfast seem to help me the most" and then I have two posters picking apart that comment to let me know that there's no research to back up that statement and I have to keep reminding that the OP posted for breakfast ideas to which I answered...I did not claim I had the science-backed miracle of breakfast lol.17 -
When all the new people come (whenever they do) i find myself doing a million drive by "don't be so hard on yourself and change takes time and review" postings. It is kind of like a service they provide me by helping me to narrow down my focus instead of making it diffuse and unhelpful. Every time i say it to them, I say it to myself. Which helps ME.
So I've got that going for me.5 -
I'll happily support anyone who is looking to make a positive change. If they don't continue in their goal, that is their issue.4
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Me! I love newbies!
How about the veterans making a New Year's resolution to give newbies lots of hugs instead of woos, and encourage them along the journey? It doesn't cost anything except a little time. It only takes a moment to write a friendly reply instead of a snarky or rude one.
We were all newbies once, remember?
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Not sure what to expect this year.. my gym is small and cheap with lots of "swol bros" so I'm sure they'll scare off the Resolutioners pretty early.1
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