2013: Making Successful Resolutions - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

2013: Making Successful Resolutions

On Monday you'll wake up to the last day of 2012, and New Year's is usually a wakeup call where we realize what we haven't accomplished over the course of the year, and what we want to change next year.

The start of a new year means new beginnings, new goals, and new challenges.

"It's kind of a good opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start over," said Will Collins of Erie.

"I think over the year you see things that you wanna accomplish, by the time you get to the end of the year you pretty much know what you wanna do in the coming year," said Bud Dever of Millcreek.

One of the most popular New Year's resolutions is of course, working out more. Local gyms always see an increase in memberships this time of year.

"We do see a lot of new people, a lot of new faces, and then slowly that tapers off," said Doug Grieshaber, a personal trainer at Best Fitness in Erie. "What we'd like to see is those people continue throughout the year."

Psychologists have actually looked into this, and they say making a successful change is all about scheduling.

"It's really basic and simple and boring, but if you don't put it in your daily schedule it's not going to get done," said Cleveland Clinic Psychologist Dr. Mike McKee. "So, you put exercise in and you start with however many days a week you think you can do it. If it's just one day a week and it's just 5 minutes, you put it in."

Some people, though, are already satisfied with what they have; and maybe that should be our greatest hope for the New Year.

"I have never made a new year's resolution and I don't plan on it this year," said Zach Whitney of Erie. "I'm kind of happy with my life and where I am so I guess I've just never seen any real need."

Newlyweds Casey and Megan Valencic. agree. Megan asked, "If everybody just is comfortable with being who they are, and is happy with the things that are going on in their lives, why do you need a new year's resolution?"

An interesting fact for you as you make your resolution: studies have shown that it takes at least 21 days to make something a habit. So don't give up too quickly.