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Jonathan Williams | The Appalachian
Senior hospitality and tourism management major Matthew R. Nicholson works out in the Quinn Recreation Center to stay in shape. Getting fit is one of the most popular New Year resolutions. |
Students set resolutions for new year
by Amanda Fowler
Staff Writer
The gym is always crowded during January. Perhaps one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight and stay fit.
The big influx of new people attempting to keep their promises is apparent to year-round gym rats. Then, as mid-February rolls around, the crowds begin to die down as other responsibilities take precedence over the long forgotten New Year’s resolution.
Jodi R. Helms, a junior elementary education major, made that popular resolution: to lose weight. She plans on sticking to it though through her inspiration: Rob, her boyfriend who is currently stationed in Iraq. Rob is scheduled to come home as early as the next couple weeks but may not make it until March.
“My goal is to lose [weight] by the time Rob gets home from Iraq,” Helms said. “I’ve been going to the gym and trying to get in better shape.”
Helms has combined forces with her roommate, Ashley E. Vance, a sophomore international business major, who also made the resolution to get fit in the new year. As gym partners, the two hope to help motivate each other.
Despite the popular tradition of making resolutions each year, the problem is that many are never kept. Helms has already taken a serious step forward with hers. Finding inspiration is key to staying strong, and it is especially helpful to have another person help keep morale up.
Perhaps the biggest mistake made when making resolutions is to keep goals realistic. Most failed attempts stem from resolutions that were impossible to obtain in the first place.
Popular Resolutions
• drink less alcohol
• eat right
• get a better education
• get a better job
• get fit/lose weight
• quit smoking
• reduce on-the-job stress
• reduce overall stress
• save money
• take a trip
• volunteer to help others
Source: FirstGov.gov
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Although not all celebrations include resolutions, the new year has been celebrated since prehistoric times, according to holidayorigins.com.
The Romans were the first to assign New Year’s Day to Jan. 1. This day coincided with the first day newly elected officials took their offices.
According to goalguy.com, the custom of New Year’s resolutions dates back to 153 B.C. Janus, the Roman God of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances, was placed at the head of their calendar.
Janus was depicted as having two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. In this way, the Romans imagined Janus looking back into the past year and forward into the new year. Janus became the symbol of resolutions as many Romans asked for forgiveness from their enemies.
The first settlers celebrated New Year’s Day, as was tradition in their European homeland; however, it was recorded that Native Americans also honored the day with their own customs.
The new year is celebrated worldwide, although not with the same traditions Americans are accustomed to. According to a Better Homes and Gardens online article, the Japanese thoroughly clean their houses and send cards to friends and business associates wishing them the best, much like the American tradition of sending Christmas cards.
A popular American superstition includes eating black eyes peas and turnip greens on New Year’s Day for luck. Some even believe that doing laundry on New Year’s Day brings bad luck because you will “wash away” someone important in your life.
The Danish jump off chairs, a symbol of “leaping” into the new year. The Spanish eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each stroke of the clock, to bring them luck.
So implement these superstitions into the New Year’s celebration for good luck or take matters into your own hands and make a resolution ... just make sure you keep it.
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