Sticking to plan, goal is the key

By Tami Althoff

Published: January 12, 2008

NORMAN — Like millions of other Americans, Fox Mattox made a resolution this year to spend more time exercising.

Well, at least his MiMi made the resolution for him when she bought the 6-month-old and his parents, Danny and Sadie Mattox of Norman, a membership to the Cleveland County Family YMCA as a Christmas gift.

"She bought us the membership because she is a former physical education teacher and wanted Fox to learn how to swim,” Sadie Mattox said. "So, we resolved to teach our baby to swim, or, rather, have someone else teach him.”

With a new gym membership, Sadie and Danny Mattox were forced to think about getting into a regular exercise routine themselves.

"We had thought about joining a gym, but actually doing it was the tough part,” Sadie Mattox said. "The swim classes are twice a week, plus I would like to get in a little time on Saturdays. I guess you could say I plan to go a few times a week.”

While weight loss and getting into shape top New Year's resolutions lists annually, staying committed to a routine is the hard part. About halfway into the first month of the year, Sadie Mattox already has found that to be the case.

"I had a crazy notion that maybe I would go to the spin class at 5:45 this morning,” Sadie Mattox said. "Then, when my son woke up at 2 a.m., I counted that as exercise and happily went back to bed.”

Jeff LeCrone, manager at Southern Athletic Club in Oklahoma City, said good intentions often fall victim to bad excuses. Fitness programs for people such as the Mattoxes are often easier to maintain if accountability is involved and goals are realistic, he said.

Making exercise a habit rather than a chore can be easier when attending fitness classes with others or getting involved in special promotions like the Biggest Loser contest held annually at Sooner Fitness in Norman or the two-month Move-It or Lose-It program held each year at LeCrone's gym.

"It's the first six-week hump that's difficult, and after that it's much easier to stick with it,” LeCrone said. "Everybody has two voices, one to get in there and exercise and the other to go another time because too much is going on. Trigger that right voice.”

Jack Carter, an exercise specialist at The Health Club in Norman, said starting a new workout program with a buddy is a good way to make a new exercise plan permanent.

"It's also important to write down your goals. Stick them on a mirror or your refrigerator where you will see them all the time,” he said. "It's also important to keep a journal.”

Whitney Waller, 27, and Blaine Armstrong, 20, both of Norman, recently renewed their gym memberships at The Health Club after a lengthy break. Both are hoping to improve their fitness levels this year.

"I have my 10-year reunion coming up in August, so I have to do this,” Waller said. "I want to get back to my high school weight.”

Armstrong said in addition to getting into shape, he was going to make an effort to improve his grades this year.

"I can do both by cutting down on the amount of time I party,” he said.

Yvonne Garcia-Nunez, 21, of Norman also made a resolution to exercise more in 2008, although she's been unsuccessful at maintaining such a plan in the past.

"I'm going to start going back to an abs class offered at my gym,” Garcia-Nunez said. "I used to go a couple of years ago. It helped me stay on track with my workout routine, and since I'm already at the gym, I go exercise afterward.”

Comments